Season preview, DTM, Rounds 1+2, Portimão (Portugal): Porsche customer teams contest a full DTM season for the first time
2022 Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup: Global esports championship showcases the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Porsche is chasing titles in Formula E and the World Endurance Championship
Reunions Magazine Lists 7 Best COVID-19 Travel Tips: Stay Safe for the Holidays
Seven weeks of preparation for 14 hours of racing at the WEC finale in Bahrain
Racing Legends Gather to Recognize & Celebrate Opening of the Herzog Motorsports Racing Collection
Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed to Celebrate Art Gallery Opening with Cars & Coffee and Special Events
Racing Legends Gather to Honor Herzog Motorsports at Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed October 15-16
Porsche Korea Co-hosts the ‘Porsche Gran Turismo Cup Asia Pacific’
Fourth Successive LE MANS WIN for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
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Ebay Motors Powers 2021 HOT ROD Drag Week Hitting Four Midwest Cities Sept. 12-17
The race to determine the title of “Fastest Street Car in America” is back as Ebay Motors Powers HOT ROD Drag Week Presented by Gear Vendors returns to premier tracks in four cities September 12-17, 2021. The world’s toughest competition to find the ultimate street-legal drag car, HOT ROD Drag Week puts competitors to a grueling test over five days of action-packed drag racing, requiring racers to drive their vehicles on a specified route from city to city, upward of 1,000 miles, while securing the quickest possible elapsed time across the five days. During the competition, drivers provide photographic evidence to prove they have adhered to the prescribed route. Some of the nation’s top racers participate annually, “HOT ROD Drag Week is back this year and promises to be some of the best competition yet,” said HOT ROD’s Editor-in-Chief John McGann. “We had records fall in 2019 and expect an even higher level of competition this year at some exciting tracks in the Midwest. Will sub-six second passes become the new normal in the Unlimited Class this year? We can only wait to see.” Ebay Motors Powers HOT ROD Drag Week Presented by Gear Vendors™ SCHEDULE (Daily end times as stated or until complete. All times listed are in Eastern Time.) Tech Inspection, Registration, Test ‘N’ Tune – Sunday, September 12 US 131 Motorsports Park (Martin, Michigan) - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day 1 Racing – Monday, September 13 US 131 Motorsports Park (Martin, Michigan) - Gates open 7:30 a.m., racing hours 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Day 2 Racing – Tuesday, September 14 Summit Motorsports Park (Norwalk, Ohio) - Gates open 7:30 a.m., racing hours 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Day 3 Racing – Wednesday, September 15 Lucas Oil Raceway (Indianapolis, Indiana) - Gates open 7:30 a.m., racing hours 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Day 4 Racing – Thursday, September 16 Byron Dragway (Byron, Illinois) - Gates open 7:30 a.m., racing hours 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Day 5 Racing (Finals) – Friday, September 17 US 131 Motorsports Park (Martin, Michigan) - Gates open 7:30 a.m., racing hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by awards KEY HIGHLIGHTS: The 5-day event will be livestreamed on MotorTrend’s YouTube Channel, with 5 hours of drag racing content. Each day will be hosted by Roadkill’s David Freiburger and NHRA lead play-by-play broadcaster Brian Lohnes. In addition, NHRA Fox Sports Field Reporter Amanda Busick will be trackside to capture all of the behind the scenes storylines. HOT ROD Drag Week is excited to have eBay Motors as its Title Sponsor. eBay Motors helps all types of enthusiasts one part at a time realize their dream build—including drag racers trying to capture the title of Fastest Street Car in America. With eBay Motors' support, fans can access exclusive live content, including racer profiles, the intricacies of a tech inspection and of course, exciting drag racing action. Gear Vendors Overdrive owners will have the opportunity to put their units to good use on a few routes this year. Stop by their booth and check out the ultimate product in horsepower handling and performance. NOS returns as Official Nitrous Oxide Sponsor. Holley EFI/NOS will be on-site to provide nitrous refills as well as Holley EFI tech support during the event beginning Sunday, Sept 12th through Friday Sept 17th. Nitrous will be offered to racers running nitrous. The nitrous supply will be limited so racers are asked to come with their bottles filled before the event and they can be topped off free of charge. Please respect the limited supply and come prepared to the event. Rockett Brand Race Fuel returns as Official Fuel Sponsor. Fuel is available onsite daily at the Rockett Brand tent. Isky Racing Cams, the Official Cam and Lifter Sponsor, offers $150 off Key Way and Tie Bar Needle solid roller lifter sets. AND $200 off EZROLL Key Way and Tie Bar Bushing Roller Lifter sets, and 15% off all other parts. [PARTICIPATION INFORMATION] While registration has closed, participants wishing to be added to a wait list can visit https://forms.gle/hFVPUKC2rrnvUhVr9. You will be notified if a spot becomes available. [SPECTATOR INFORMATION] Spectator tickets will be available at each individual track ($20). Children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. [CONNECT] Follow the action at HOT ROD Drag Week™ 2021 on Twitter using #hotroddragweek. Learn more about Drag Week™ at motortrend.com/events/hot-rod-drag-week/. [HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS OVERVIEW] Dependent on the current climate of COVID-19 before September 12, 2021, MotorTrend Group will modify event plans to adhere to local guidelines. The event will adhere to all social distancing, sanitation, mask mandates, and guidelines that the CDC and local health department requires.
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Speedway Motors Launches Cover Car Contest to Celebrate Customers and their Cars
Speedway Motors announced today they will celebrate customers and their cars during Customer Appreciation Week, July 26-30, with giveaways and a contest to be on the cover of their Race, Street or Muscle catalog. “Customer Appreciation Week is our way of recognizing all of the hours, blood, sweat and tears our customers are putting into their projects,” said Clay Smith president and owner of Speedway Motors. “We’re truly partners in your project and want to celebrate what you’ve accomplished giving three lucky customers the opportunity to have their car professionally photographed and featured on our catalog cover.” The grand prize will be awarded to three winners of the contest and includes one image on the cover of a Speedway Motors catalog, one editorial feature spread within the Speedway Motors catalog, one blog post on Speedway Motors’ website, and a professional photoshoot of the vehicle, at an approximate value of $5,000. 100 ancillary prizes will also be awarded which will consist of a hat, shop rag, mug, can cooler, wrench set and a $25 Speedway Motors gift card at an approximate value of $100. Every order placed July 26-30 will receive a free sticker sheet while supplies last. To enter the Cover Car Contest, which runs from July 26-August 6, visit SpeedwayMotors.com/Contest and share the story behind your car along with up to three photos (an image is required to win). No purchase is necessary, but you must be 19 years of age or older to enter. Only one entry per person, but you may submit multiple vehicles in a single entry. You can find some examples of vehicles built with Speedway Motors including Bobby’s Model T, Zach’s Model A Pickup, and Jennifer’s ’60 Cadillac on the contest website or listen to customers share their story in Speedway Motors latest Podcast Episode. Follow Speedway Motors on Facebook and Instagram and share your vehicle using #builtwithspeedwaymotors to join the community and be part of the conversation. To enter the Cover Car Contest or for official rules visit SpeedwayMotors.com/Contest
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Aston Martin Valkyrie Declared Michelin’s Showstopper of the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed
The all-new Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar has been declared the Michelin Supercar Paddock Showstopper of the Festival at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Michelin Supercar Paddock Showstopper award was presented to Darren Turner, Marek Reichman and the Aston Martin Valkyrie team by judges Jodie Kidd, legendary designer Frank Stephenson, Mr JWW and DriveTribe’s Mike Fernie. Chosen for its pursuit of function over form, the judges were impressed with the hypercar’s impeccable road-going credentials, as well as its striking aerodynamic design and mind-blowing performance. The Aston Martin Valkyrie made its global dynamic debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed and is the first hypercar the legendary British marque has ever produced. The name of the car intentionally evokes images of an otherworldly power, and its performance lives up to that billing. Featuring a huge 6.5-litre V12 hybrid engine capable of delivering 1160 horsepower in a car which is exceptionally lightweight - its 100% carbon fibre chassis and body weigh just over 1,000 kilograms – helping it achieve better than a 1:1 power to weight ratio. The hypercar takes design and engineering cues from Formula One racing, thanks to collaborative input from Red Bull Racing’s legendary design guru Adrian Newey. The aerodynamics around the car were designed to give F1 standard of performance, downforce and handling. Capable of reaching 0-62mph in a blistering 2.5 seconds, the Valkyrie has an astonishing top speed in excess of 250mph. The Glickenhaus 004S and the Rimac Nevera were runners up of the Michelin Supercar Paddock Showstopper Award. Owner Dr. Cecilia Muldoon drove the Glickenhaus SCG 0004S for the first time on the Goodwood Hillclimb and came straight to the Paddock stage to showcase the unique and wonderful supercar. With a supercharged V8 delivering 650bhp, the three-seater with a central driving position and includes some amenities rare in the world of track cars, including air conditioning, Bluetooth speakers and a backup camera. On the Michelin Supercar Paddock Stage James Glickenhaus described the car as “a road car born on the track." Judges were extremely impressed with the car’s bespoke design, both inside and out, coupled with the vehicle’s performance and rarity. They felt it was unique and worthy of being a Showstopper finalist. The judges were also blown away by the outstanding all-electric Rimac Nevera. The Croatian hypercar was a runner up for the award. It produces a staggering 1914 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 1.97 seconds, and from 0 to 300 kph in 9.3 seconds. Each of the Nevera’s wheels are driven by their own electric motor, and each wheel’s torque is automatically adjusted for improved handling. Other automotive highlights from the Michelin live stage include, Lotus (Emira), Bugatti (Pur Sport), Ferrari (SF90), Porsche (GT3), Zenvo (TSR-S), Callum Design (Vanquish 25), Ford (Mach-E 1400), Corvette (C8), Mini (ePacesetter), BMW (2 Series), Mission H24 (LMPH2G), Koenigsegg (Regera), Everrati (964), The Little Car Company (Baby Bugatti). Working alongside General Motors for the debut of the all-new RHD Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Michelin had five-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and Corvette Ambassador, Oliver Gavin, on the live stage to reveal the model ahead of its first-ever run up the hill. The Supercar Paddock also saw a number of guest appearances talking to presenters Vicki Butler-Henderson and Tim Harvey, including Jenson Button, Oli Webb, Andy Wallace, James Pickford, Colin Turkington, Paul O’Neill, Darren Turner, Caffeine & Machine’s Phil McGovern and Dan Macken, Charlie Cooper, Richard Westbrook, Paul Swift, Mazin and Nabil Naamo (@TopazDetailing), Zach (@Zachs_Garage) and Raziz (@RokenR).
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Dynisma reveals the world's most advanced driving simulator for automotive vehicle and motorsport development
Dynisma Ltd.®, the UK-based motion simulator technology company, today releases details of its new world-leading DMG-1™ and lightweight DMG-1 Carbon™ advanced driving simulators. These Dynisma Motion Generators™ (DMGs), bringing a totally revolutionary approach to simulators, have been designed specifically for motorsport teams who want to optimise driver and car performance as well as automotive manufacturers and suppliers for advanced vehicle development and testing. The DMG technologies are at least 50% better than any rival, and equally affordable. This announcement comes shortly after the news that Dynisma has just finished commissioning the world’s most advanced simulator for one of the world’s most famous race teams, a project that has been in development for the past two years. The breadth of capability of the DMG-1 and DMG-1C driving simulators, has been developed by a team of world-class engineers, with more than two decades of experience in Formula One driving simulation. The advanced technologies allow OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to conduct advanced tests such as those for ride comfort, handling and tyre development in a virtual environment where previously they could only be accurately developed on-road. They also give the ability to carry out complex and extreme vehicle dynamics and ADAS systems testing in complete safety. Saving development miles and reducing the number of hand-built prototypes, by using the ultra-realistic DMG-1 can dramatically reduce costs for automotive manufacturers, decrease the environmental impact of testing and the associated travel, as well as potentially shortening the time it takes to bring new vehicles to market. Ashley Warne, Dynisma CEO: “Our mission is to create the world’s most immersive simulators and widen the access to the best high-fidelity, responsive motion generators that drivers and engineers could want. Dynisma’s advanced DMG-1 technologies offer the perfect solution for a range of specific requirements we’ve identified across many forms of motorsports, automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers in the automotive industry.” “We know that our motion generators can have a dramatic uplift in the performance of any driver or team, as well as playing a key role in making vehicle development testing far more efficient. The global automotive industry currently spends £7BN per year on prototype builds and those cars can individually rack up over half a million miles. The DMG-1 systems can reduce the cost, carbon impact and time it takes to test vehicles, as well as allowing engineers to conduct testing in a confidential and 100% safe virtual environment.” For the DMG-1 simulator Dynisma has employed the same precise design and engineering process that led to the creation of its first custom-built motion simulator, for a leading Formula One team. Developed and built by a team of world-class engineers committed to ground-breaking solutions in motion generation, the class-leading Dynisma DMG-1C delivers the lowest latency (sub 4ms) and highest bandwidth (>55hz in all 6DOF) of any other simulator currently available. Lower latency ensures the driver is able to react faster to events such as oversteer, and the system’s high bandwidth facilitates motion cueing not possible from other conventional motion platforms. With this market-leading mechanical engineering and technology, the DMG-1 accurately transfers a higher level of information to the driver, providing a far more realistic and heightened responsive driving experience. Dynisma’s ground-breaking ‘Direct Drive’ technology, reduces friction to imperceptible levels, eliminating backlash and inertia, delivering an immediate and dynamic sensory experience. DMG-1 transmits information in the rawest possible form direct to the driver’s vestibular system. The DMG-1 and lightweight carbon composite DMG-1C are both available as turn-key solutions, or customised to exact requirements, with the possibility to integrate any type of chassis, in current production or prototype, for both motorsport or automotive applications.
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Team Speedway Wins PRO-X Shootout at Goodguys Columbus Nationals
Speedway Motors announced today, Team Speedway, won the PRO-X shootout this past weekend at Goodguys Columbus Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. This is the third win for Robby Unser this year in Team Speedways ’70 Camaro. Earlier this year he doubled up winning both the PRO-X class and the PRO-X portion of the Fuel Curve Great Salt Shootout and claimed the PRO-X class shootout victory at Spring Nationals in Scottsdale, Ariz. Unser is no stranger to racing, hailing from one of America’s most storied racing families. He boasts the 1987 World Hill Climb Champion and 1989 American Indy Car Series Champion titles and was named IRL Rookie of the Year in 1998. He has raced a wide range of classes at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, winning an unprecedented 9 times. Unser has also competed twice at the Indianapolis 500 and is Team Speedways seasoned Nova expert after testing out the sleeper car in 2014. Returning to its competitive racing roots Speedway Motors began sponsoring Team Speedway in 2014 as a way to put their performance parts to the test. “Team Speedway drivers have pushed the ’70 Camaro, ’68 Camaro and ’65 Nova cars to their limits, slamming through courses with 1.7g lateral loading and intense braking, plus acceleration that only a 750 hp engine can provide,” said Bill Schneider, Speedway Motors R&D Engineer and Team Speedway Manager. “If G-Comp components can handle this type of punishment, you can be sure they’ll be reliable for whatever automotive activity you have planned.” Team Speedway regularly puts parts to the test and the ’70 Camaro was built with performance in mind. Sporting Speedway Motors G-Comp 1970-81 Camaro/Firebird Torque Arm Rear Suspension Kit Schneider said, “Measurements were taken, scans were made, and models created to figure out how to make a 50-year-old car handle like a new Corvette.” The car was also fitted with an Unser Edition Front Suspension Kit and sports a 427 LS7 on an RHS block and heads built by Speedway Motors Racing Engines. Team Speedway is scheduled to compete in a number of upcoming events including: Sandhills Open Road Challenge (SORC) Aug. 10-14 in Arnold, Neb. King of the Mountain Aug. 26-28 in Clearfield, Pa. LS Fest East Sept. 10-12 in Bowling Green, Ky. Goodguys Lone Star Nationals Sept. 24-26 in Fort Worth, Texas Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge Oct. 9-10 in Bowling Green, Ky. Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Nov. 6-7 in Las Vegas, Nev. Goodguys Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals Nov. 19-21 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Other highlights from the Weekend Rewind include Goodguys 2019/2021 Grand Prize Giveaway car a ’67 Nova won by Hunter Detrich. Speedway Motors provided a number of parts for the build. Goodguys 2021/2022 Grand Prize Giveaway was also unveiled at this weekend’s event. The ’86 C10 squarebody which includes several kits from Speedway Motors including a Speedway Battery Cable Crimper Kit, Longacre 52-22569 Rear End Axle Breather Vent Kit, Pico Weatherpack 14-16 Gauge Kit among other products and will be given away at Goodguys Columbus Nationals in 2022. Speedway Motors Homebuilt Heaven award went to John Martin of Nixa, Mo. For more information about Speedway Motors G-Comp or Team Speedway test cars visit https://www.speedwaymotors.com/featured/gcomp
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Ground-Breaking Hydrogen-Powered MissionH24 Endurance Racer to Make UK Debut at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed
MissionH24’s ground-breaking hydrogen-powered endurance race car – LMPH2G – will make its UK debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The racer will take on the world-famous hillclimb and it will be showcased on the Michelin Supercar Paddock stage every day of the four-day event. LMPH2G represents a significant technological development, backed by partners Michelin and hydrogen fuel cell maker Symbio – a joint venture between Michelin and Faurecia. The H24 has its sights set on the world's premier endurance racing competitions, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its four-stack hydrogen fuel cell powers four electric motors, creating a combined output of 653hp. This power, coupled with the car's lightweight chassis and aerodynamic features, give it a top speed in excess of 185mph (300 km/h), while allowing it to maintain the durability and handling performance expected of a high-level endurance racing vehicle. Alongside the GreenGT H24, Michelin will be unveiling its revolutionary race tyre made up of 46 per cent sustainable raw materials, including recycled carbon black from end of life tyres, orange and lemon peel, sunflower oil, pine resin and recycled steel from packaging. Michelin has pledged to make all its tyres with 100 per cent sustainable materials by 2050 – and by 2030, 40 percent of all materials used in tyres across the group will be sustainable. Now Michelin will use endurance racing as a laboratory to accelerate the development of sustainable, high-performance tyres. Peyman Sabet, vice president of business development at Michelin Europe North, said: “The partnership with GreenGT H24 highlights Michelin’s drive to innovation and it is the perfect vehicle to feature Michelin’s 46 per cent sustainable tyres. Both pioneering developments honour the company’s commitment to sustainability, without compromising on performance. We are delighted to bring MissionH24 to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and really excited that fans will be able to watch it take on the hill.” In combination with batteries, hydrogen fuel cells will be used to increase range and enable the development of green long-distance and urban travel. Symbio has targeted production of 200,000 fuel cells a year by 2030. In 2018, Le Mans organiser Automobile Club de l’Ouest and electric-hydrogen specialist GreenGT announced that they would launch a hydrogen class of vehicles in 2024; an initiative collectively known as MissionH24. The Michelin Supercar Paddock will also feature dozens of the world’s fastest, rarest and highest-performance cars. TV star Vicki Butler-Henderson and legendary racer Tim Harvey will host the action, talking all things supercar on the interactive Supercar Paddock stage.
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346mph in a Bonneville Streamliner: John MacKichan and Tim Schulz | Episode 11
900 hours of machining. Crashing at 200mph. The fastest small block Chevy in the world. John MacKichan and Tim Schulz knew they weren’t taking on a “normal” project. But in 1988, driving back to Nebraska from Utah, they realized they could build a better streamliner. 9 months later, they set a record in D/Gas Streamliner. In this episode of What Moves You, A Speedway Motors Podcast, we talk with John & Tim about all the highs and lows of chasing landspeed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, as well as all the fascinating car people who come out of the woodwork when you build a project this awesome. John & Tim chased records at Bonneville for 21 years while also working full time. These guys know a thing or two! John and Tim would like to thank their crew: Jason Ankerson, Dean Barney, Bill Bernstrauch, Robert Braden, Dan Gilmore, JR Heinz, John Menard, Dave Owens, Don Schulz, Ron Thompson, Jerry Topil, and MacKichan family: Barb, Jason, Johnny, Jessica, and Jennifer. And for tech/engineering help: Steve Bechtold, Greg Nicol, Andy Predoehl, and Carson Smith.
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Hyundai Motorsport names LIQUI MOLY as Customer Racing Official Supplier
Hyundai Motorsport has named LIQUI MOLY as an Official Supplier for the Customer Racing department’s race and rally projects. The German oil and additive specialist delivers more than 80 products to the Hyundai workshop in Alzenau (Germany). There, they are used to configure and prepare the vehicles. As part of the cooperation, LIQUI MOLY’s quality products are used for the Hyundai i20 R5, the new Hyundai i20 N Rally2 and also the successful Hyundai i30 N TCR, Hyundai Veloster N TCR and Hyundai Elantra N TCR touring cars. In addition to motor, gear and hydraulic oils, the product range also includes almost 80 other items. It will also support the ongoing testing and development of the cars offered to privateer teams and drivers by Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing. This takes on an extra significance with both the Hyundai Elantra N TCR and Hyundai i20 N Rally2 entering their first competitive events during the 2021 season. The first of the new TCR cars debuted in the USA in January, and will race in series worldwide including WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup, TCR Europe, TCR South America and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The Hyundai i20 N Rally2 is currently undergoing extensive testing ahead of planned homologation this summer. LIQUI MOLY joining as an Official Supplier deepens the relationship between the Customer Racing department and the company. A long-standing partner of championship-winning TCR customer Engstler Motorsport, the German firm already serves as title sponsor for Engstler Hyundai N LIQUI MOLY Racing team who will take on their second season in FIA WTCR this year, with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR. LIQUI MOLY Marketing Director Peter Baumann said: "We are really proud that Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing has chosen LIQUI MOLY as official supplier to build and prepare their customer cars for race and rally. This is another proof for the high quality standard of our lubricants, service and care products. Hyundai has the highest reputation in motorsports as we have with our brand and our products. So this is a perfect fit for both parties". Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Andrew Johns said: “LIQUI MOLY has an incredibly strong reputation throughout motorsport for their high-quality range, so I am very happy to welcome them as Official Suppliers to our race and rallying projects. The wide variety of products they will supply to our workshop will ensure that we can maintain the excellent quality and superb performance of the cars we build and provide to our customers. This is especially important as we continue to increase the number of different cars we offer to our customers, with Hyundai Elantra N TCR and Hyundai i20 N Rally2 entering their first competitive events in 2021. With LIQUI MOLY as an Official Supplier for our projects I am confident we can continue to build on the successes of Hyundai customers have already celebrated and add to the profile of both the Customer racing department and new supplier.”
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Speedway Motors to Launch Season 2: “What Moves You” Podcast
Speedway Motors, a manufacturer, retailer and distributor of high-quality automotive parts and racing products, announced today Season 2 of their “What Moves You” podcast will launch on June 1. The “What Moves You” podcast tells the stories behind cars and the people who build and drive them. While celebrating craftsmanship, ingenuity, and the long tradition of building cars, “What Moves You” talks to fascinating people who have left their mark on car culture. Sometimes that’s a big name everyone knows, other times it’s an unsung local hero. Every guest brings inspiring knowledge, experience and passion that reminds us why we love cars in the first place. “Every car, builder and driver has a story. Season 1 of the ‘What Moves You’ podcast successfully captured a handful of those stories to share with our listeners,” said Betsy Grindlay Director of Marketing and People Operations at Speedway Motors. Hosted by Joe McCollough Season 1 included interviews with experts like Dave Shuten, Brian Brennan, Bob Mays and Robby Unser. The first 10 episodes featured topics ranging from Discovery Channel’s Car Kings to 140mph crashes, Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed, and everything in between. “We look forward to diving even deeper in Season 2 to capture that passion for building and driving your dream,” Grindlay added. Season 2 will launch June 1 with new episodes released every other week. The line-up for Season 2 includes guests like racing legend Mary Pozzi, Bonneville innovators John MacKichan and Tim Schulz, special guests from Car Masters: Rust to Riches among others. For more information or to listen to episodes visit www.speedwaymotors.com/whatmovesyoupodcast The podcast is also available to download through Apple, Spotify, and Google.
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Team Speedway Puts Parts to the Test and Wins Big at Goodguys Salt Lake Nationals
Speedway Motors announced today, Team Speedway, won multiple autocross events this past weekend at Goodguys Salt Lake Nationals in Salt Lake City, UT. Robby Unser doubled up winning both the PRO-X class and the PRO-X portion of the Fuel Curve Great Salt Shootout in the Speedway Motors sponsored ’70 Camaro. Unser is no stranger to racing, hailing from one of America’s most storied racing families. He boasts the 1987 World Hill Climb Champion and 1989 American Indy Car Series Champion titles and was named IRL Rookie of the Year in 1998. He has raced a wide range of classes at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, winning an unprecedented 9 times. Unser has also competed twice at the Indianapolis 500 and has been one of Team Speedways drivers for more than 7 years. Teammate Brian Martin also doubled-up in Salt Lake with wins in the PRO class in a ’86 Corvette. Returning to its competitive racing roots Speedway Motors began sponsoring Team Speedway in 2014. “Team Speedway drivers have pushed the ’70 Camaro, ‘67 Camaro and ’65 Nova cars to their limits, slamming through courses with 1.7g lateral loading and intense braking, plus acceleration that only a 750 hp engine can provide,” said Bill Schneider, Speedway Motors R&D Engineer and Team Speedway Manager. “If G-Comp components can handle this type of punishment, you can be sure they’ll be reliable for whatever automotive activity you have planned.” Team Speedway regularly puts parts to the test and the ’70 Camaro was built with performance in mind. Sporting Speedway Motors G-Comp 1970-81 Camaro/Firebird Torque Arm Rear Suspension Kit Schneider said, “Measurements were taken, scans were made, and models created to figure out how to make a 50-year-old car handle like a new Corvette.” The car was also fitted with an Unser Edition Front Suspension Kit and sports a 427 LS7 on an RHS block and heads built by Speedway Motors Racing Engines. The C4 ’86 Corvette sports a Tremec conversion kit and shock package from Speedway Motors. This is the second win for Team Speedway this year. Unser also doubled up at the 11th Fitech Spring Nationals in Scottsdale, Ariz. claiming the PRO-X class shootout victory in Goodguys CPP AutoCross Racing Series. Team Speedway is scheduled to compete in a number of upcoming events including: Goodguys Nashville Nationals May 28-30 in Nashville, Tenn. Big Blue Mile Shootout June 4-5 in Seward, Neb. Sturgis Camaro Rally June 24-27 in Black Hills, S.D. Goodguys Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals July 2-4 in Des Moines, Iowa Goodguys July 9-11 in Columbus, Ohio Sandhills Open Road Challenge (SORC) Aug. 10-14 in Arnold, Neb. King of the Mountain Aug. 26-28 in Clearfield, Pa. LS Fest East Sept. 10-12 in Bowling Green, Ky. Goodguys Lone Star Nationals Sept. 24-26 in Fort Worth, Texas Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge Oct. 9-10 in Bowling Green, KY Drive Optima in Las Vegas, Nev. Goodguys Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals Nov. 19-21 in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information about Speedway Motors G-Comp or Team Speedway test cars visit https://www.speedwaymotors.com/featured/gcomp
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Porsche announces cockpit line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 8 Hours of Portimão
Porsche has secured the support of two endurance aces for the two FIA World En-durance Championship (WEC) races in Portimão and Le Mans. In the ca. 515 PS Porsche 911 RSR (#91), Frédéric Makowiecki reinforces the regular WEC drivers Gianmaria Bruni from Italy and Richard Lietz from Austria. The Frenchman has been part of the driver line-up to tackle the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the last three years. In the No. 92 car, Neel Jani from Switzerland and the Frenchman Kévin Estre receive reinforcement from Michael Christensen. The Dane won the GTE-Pro class at Le Mans in 2018 with Estre and Belgium’s Laurens Vanthoor. The experienced trio will also contest round two of the season in Portugal on 13 June. “Between them, these six nominated drivers have a total of 59 Le Mans races under their belts. This experience is invaluable,” explains Pascal Zurlinden, Director Facto-ry Motorsport. Neel Jani won the overall classification of the 24-hour French classic in 2016 at the wheel of the Porsche 919 Hybrid – with Romain Dumas (France) and Marc Lieb (Germany). His five teammates have harvested eight class victories so far with the 911 RSR at the tradition-steeped endurance race at the Sarthe. “There’s absolutely no doubt that we’ll be very well-positioned for the highlight of the year. The eight-hour race of the WEC in Portimão is the perfect complement to our in-tense preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.” “It’s hugely important that the two driver crews we send to Le Mans have contested as many races as possible together,” explains Alexander Stehlig, Head of Opera-tions FIA WEC. The synergy between the drivers on and off the racetrack is a key factor for them to prepare optimally for the Le Mans 24-hour race. “The instinctive understanding between them, knowing each other’s setup preferences and the smooth interaction with the engineers play crucial roles,” states Stehlig. “With all six drivers competing at the WEC race in Portugal, we’ll be able to fine-tune the pro-cesses even more so that we’ll head to Le Mans with an extremely well-rehearsed crew.” Round two of the World Endurance Championship in Portugal offers the perfect opportunity to compete with three drivers in each car. With a race duration of eight hours, all drivers get plenty of track time at the wheel of the Porsche 911 RSR. On 13 June – the original date for the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the FIA WEC will be con-tested for the first time on the 4.692-kilometre circuit in Portugal’s Algarve. The 89th running of the long-distance classic in France will be held on 21/22 August this year. [2021 WEC calendar] 26/27 April – Prologue in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 1 May – 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 13 June – 8 Hours of Portimão (Portugal) 18 July – 6 Hours of Monza (Italy) 21/22 August – 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) 26 September – 6 Hours of Fuji (Japan) 20 November – 8 Hours of Bahrain (Bahrain) [Drivers’ comments about the line-up] Frédéric Makowiecki (Porsche 911 RSR #91): “It’s great that I can share driving duties in the number 91 car at Le Mans with Gimmi and Richie for the fourth year in a row. We’re a very well-oiled threesome and we’ve always done well at our races. Unfortunately, it’s never been quite enough for us to win our class at Le Mans yet, but that should change this year. We’ll tackle the WEC race in Portugal with the aim of refining the interaction with our new race engineer John McGregor. There’s not a lot of time to work on some aspects during the Le Mans week, so we’ll do that in Por-timão. That puts us in a good starting position.” Michael Christensen (Porsche 911 RSR #92): “I’m very much looking forward to our joint outing in the number 92 car at the Portimão race. I also feel particularly for-tunate to be able to drive for Porsche at Le Mans this year. It’s the biggest, toughest and most important race on the calendar every year and, if we’re successful, the most wonderful. I hope we’ll perform as well as we did in 2018. Another class victory would be a dream come true.”
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Mouser Backs Formula E Team at Rome E-Prix Doubleheader
The Mouser Electronics-supported Formula E all-electric racing team heads to Rome for the second stop, and the third and fourth races, of the 2020–21 ABB FIA Formula E season on April 10, and April 11. Mouser will be cheering on the DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT team, who is looking to keep their momentum going after both drivers earned top-five finishes at the second race of the Diriyah E-Prix. Team drivers Sérgio Sette Câmara and Nico Müller came in fourth and fifth, respectively, at Diriyah to earn 22 points for the team at the season-opening doubleheader. Mouser Backs Formula E Team at Rome E-Prix Doubleheader Coming off that fantastic performance, the team takes to a completely new street course at the Rome E-Prix. The contest in Italy’s historic capital city will be both Câmara’s and Müller’s first race at the revamped EUR district circuit. Both drivers have been working hard in the weeks since the Diriyah E-Prix, logging hours in the simulator at the team’s race shop in Silverstone, U.K., to prepare for the doubleheader in the Eternal City. The Formula E series features cars that are powered solely by electricity and represent a vision for the future of the motor sports industry, serving as a framework for research and development around zero-emission motoring. The Gen2 cars offer a huge step forward in electric vehicle racing technology, with maximum power of 250 kW and speeds up to 280 km/h. Racing is all about speed and endurance, and racing partnerships are an innovative way for Mouser to communicate its performance-driven business model and promote the newest technologies from its manufacturer partners. Mouser is partnering with the DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT team throughout the 2020-21 season in collaboration with TTI, Inc. and valued manufacturers Molex and AVX. This is the seventh-straight year that Mouser and Molex have sponsored Formula E racing. Müller is piloting the No. 6 car, and Sette Câmara is behind the wheel of the No. 7 car. Fans can further support the team by casting a vote for Müller and Sette Câmara in FANBOOST, which allows fans to play an active role in influencing the outcome of the race. FANBOOST gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite driver and award them an extra boost of power during the race. The five drivers with the most FANBOOST votes are awarded a significant burst of power, which they can deploy in a 5-second window during the second half of the race. FANBOOST voting for the Rome E-Prix opens April 7 and is available up to 15 minutes into the race. To learn more and see the full schedule of upcoming Formula E races, visit https://www.mouser.com/formula-e/
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental Mexico drive with LIQUI MOLY in Mexico
Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental Mexico, two major transnational brands and leaders in vehicle leasing and mobility solutions, chose LIQUI MOLY as their official service product for the Mexican territory, ensuring that all their cars will use LIQUI MOLY oil. The decision was made by Grupo ANTYR, a Mexican company that operates the franchise of these two brands in 31 national destinations ranging from the north of the country to the central zone. After several tests, the results were evident, LIQUI MOLY saves money! Through this new venture, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental will be able to reduce operational costs, having less engine wear, longer service intervals and extreme engine protection. “The costumers of Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental Mexico will be able to enjoy lower fuel consumption in their rented vehicles, as well as the perfect engine response and reliability they would look for in their own car. It is a perfect way to demonstrate how LIQUI MOLY is the best oil in the world, and furthermore, it is an excellent test for our products, having different drivers for the same car, all of them expecting great response from the engine,” says Guillermo Morelos, CEO LIQUI MOLY Mexico. Through this alliance Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental expects significant cost reductions for maintenance concepts, in addition to providing a longer useful life and the best resale value in their vehicles. Most importantly, this alliance is aligned with the company's vision: To provide a service of excellence, granting its car rental service in cars in excellent conditions. One more reason that validates these two brands as the best option for mobility, quality and transportation requirements throughout Mexico.
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Mouser Partners with DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT Formula E Racing for 7th Year
Mouser Electronics, Inc. is delighted to once again partner with the DRAGON/PENSKE AUTOSPORT Formula E team as they kick off the series’ seventh season, and the first Formula E racing season as an FIA World Championship, with double-header races on Feb. 26 and 27. The third consecutive season-opener at Diriyah E-Prix, just outside Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyadh, also marks Formula E racing’s first night race. Mouser is partnering with the DRAGON/PENSKE AUTOSPORT team throughout the 2020–21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship racing season, in collaboration with TTI, Inc. and valued manufacturers Molex and AVX. This is the seventh-straight year that Mouser and Molex have sponsored Formula E racing. The team brings back two familiar faces from last season with a combined 16 races completed between them. Piloting the No. 6 car and coming off his first full Formula E season is Nico Müller, while Sérgio Sette Câmara will be behind the wheel of the No. 7 car. “Formula E continues to raise the bar on electric motorsports sustainability and performance, and Mouser is excited to have supported the series from its inaugural season to this first season as a World Championship,” said Todd McAtee, Vice President, Americas Business Development for Mouser Electronics. “We are very happy to once again team up with Molex, TTI and AVX to partner with DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT and to promote these innovative technologies.” “TTI is pleased to team up with Mouser in supporting this exciting sport and its spotlight on sustainable automotive technologies of the future,” said Mike Morton, TTI Chief Operating Officer. “This new chapter of Formula E promises to continue the evolution of this thrilling sport and serves as a powerful showcase for its sustainable future,” said Fred Bell, Vice President of Global Distribution for Molex. “Mouser and Molex have been proud supporters since the inception of Formula E, and we wish the DRAGON/PENSKE AUTOSPORT team a very safe and successful season.” “We’re delighted to collaborate with Mouser, Molex, and TTI in our partnership with the DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT Formula E racing team for another exciting season,” said Alex Schenkel, AVX’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales. The Formula E series features cars that are powered solely by electricity and represent a vision for the future of the motor sports industry, serving as a framework for research and development around zero-emission motoring. The Gen2 cars offer a huge step forward in electric vehicle racing technology, with maximum power of 250 kW and speeds up to 280 km/h. Racing is all about speed and endurance, and racing partnerships are an innovative way for Mouser to communicate its performance-driven business model and promote the newest technologies from its manufacturer partners. Fans can cast a vote for Sette Câmara and Müller in FANBOOST, which allows fans to play an active role in influencing the outcome of the race. FANBOOST gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite driver and award them an extra boost of power during the race. The five drivers with the most FANBOOST votes are awarded a significant burst of power, which they can deploy in a 5-second window during the second half of the race. FANBOOST voting for the Diriyah E-Prix opens Feb. 22 and is available up to 15 minutes into the race.
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Porsche targets third win this year for the 911 RSR at the WEC season finale
Porsche aims to conclude the debut season of the new Porsche 911 RSR with a win. At the eight-hour race in Bahrain, which marks the final round of the 2019/2020 FIA WEC season, the factory squad will again field two ca. 515 hp vehicles in the GTE-Pro class. In the GTE-Am class, three customer squads campaign a total of five Porsche 911 RSR in last year’s spec. The race on the Formula 1 circuit in Sakhir is the second Bahrain event this season. At the first outing in December 2019, Porsche locked out the first grid row with its two vehicles, led the field, but ultimately was unable to reap the rewards of their good work at the finish line. The race The Bahrain International Circuit has hosted the Formula 1 Grand Prix regularly since 2004. The FIA WEC was first contested on the 5.412-kilometre circuit close to the capital Manama in its 2012 inaugural season. The only time the endurance race was not held in Sakhir was in the 2018/2019 Super Season. High daytime temperatures, falling temperatures at dusk and sand at times covering the asphalt make the race a big challenge for teams, engineers and drivers. Tyre wear is a major factor on the Grand Prix circuit with its 15 turns. A consistent pace over a full stint is regarded as the key to success. The Porsche drivers Sharing the cockpit of the No. 91 Porsche 911 RSR are works drivers Gianmaria Bruni from Italy and Richard Lietz from Austria. The pair won the season-opening round at Silverstone and head to the final round of the year ranking fifth in the drivers’ classification. Sharing driving duties in the No. 92 sister car are the Spa winners Kévin Estre and Michael Christensen. The reigning GTE champions from France and Denmark occupy fourth place before the final race of the 2019/2020 season. In the manufacturer’s classification, Porsche ranks second. At the eight-hour race on the Formula 1 circuit in the desert of Bahrain, competitors can earn more points than in a conventional six-hour WEC race: As the distribution of points is multiplied by a factor of 1.5 and rounded up, victory yields 38 points instead of the usual 25. Intensified partnership Porsche Motorsport has expanded its partnership with TAG Heuer to include factory campaigns in the FIA WEC. The intensive collaboration with the Swiss manufacturer of luxury watches began in 2019 at the start of the sixth FIA Formula E season with the inauguration of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team. This partnership was expanded over the last few months to include the national Carrera Cups, the works programme in the IMSA series and the e-sports arena. The Porsche customer teams In the GTE-Am class, three customer squads field a total of five of last year’s spec Porsche 911 RSR for the last time before switching to the latest model for the upcoming season. Crewing the No. 57 car campaigned by Project 1 is the American Ben Keating, Felipe Fraga from Brazil and Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands. In 2019, the trio won the GTE-Am category in Bahrain. Sharing the cockpit of the No. 56 sister car is Norway’s Egidio Perfetti, the recently crowned Porsche Supercup champion Larry ten Voorde from the Netherlands and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister from Germany. The crew in Gulf Racing’s No. 86 entry consists of the two British racing drivers Michael Wainwright and Ben Barker and the new ELMS champion Alessio Picariello from Belgium. Dennis Olsen competes for Dempsey-Proton Racing in the No. 77 car. The Norwegian joins forces with team owner Christian Ried from Germany and Riccardo Pera from Italy. Khaled Al Qubaisi from the United Arab Emirates and Germany’s Marco Holzer share driving duties in the team’s No. 88 sister car with Porsche Junior Jaxon Evans, who will compete in the WEC for the very first time. The schedule (all times CET) Thursday, 12 November 03:30 – 05:00 pm: Free practice Friday, 13 November 07:00 – 08:30 am: Free practice 11:45 am – 12:45 pm: Free practice 04:00 – 04:20 pm: Qualifying GTE 04:30 – 04:50 pm: Qualifying LMP Saturday, 14 November Midday – 08:00 pm: Race TV coverage and live streaming of the event The final round of the 2019/2020 FIA WEC season will be televised in full length on www.sport1.de. On the pay-TV station Sport 1+, the race is aired live from start to finish. Eurosport covers the final phase from Sakhir. Motorsport.tv also offers a live stream, as does the official FIA WEC app, which also offers comprehensive live timing. Comments before the race Fritz Enzinger (Vice President Motorsport): “It’ll be a very special race weekend for Porsche Motorsport. In the North American IMSA series, our works team tackles the GTLM class at the 12 Hours of Sebring for the last time. In Bahrain, we want to shine at the final race of the FIA WEC season and at the same time secure the title at the last race of the GT World Challenge Europe in Le Castellet, France, with our customer team Dinamic Motorsport. Everyone involved will again do their utmost to reap maximum success at all three venues. I’m confident that our teams and drivers will once again deliver strong performances and be rewarded for their tremendous hard work at the end of the season.” Pascal Zurlinden (Director Factory Motorsport): “The first season with the new Porsche 911 RSR draws to a close with the eight-hour race in Bahrain. We won the first round in Silverstone and did it again mid-season at Spa-Francorchamps. A win at Sakhir would round off the season perfectly. Our car performed very well at the previous race on Bahrain’s Formula 1 circuit, but unfortunately, that wasn’t reflected in the race result. That should change next weekend. Our engineers, the mechanic crews and all drivers have prepared meticulously for the final round. We’re ready and want to go into the winter break with a positive result.” Alexander Stehlig (Head of Operations FIA WEC): “Our Porsche 911 RSR suits the special characteristics of the track in Sakhir. We clearly underlined this last December with positions one and two in qualifying. We’re preparing meticulously for the last race of the season so that we can conclude our campaign with a win. We also tested in Vallelunga to gain additional insights that will help us in Bahrain. I feel confident that we’ll finish the year with a success. The team will once again pull out all stops – then we’ll head into the well-deserved winter break.” Gianmaria Bruni (Porsche 911 RSR #91): “The WEC season began for us in September 2019 with a win at the debut race of the new 911 RSR at Silverstone. We’d like to wrap up the season by repeating this feat in Bahrain. This is our second time here this season, after competing in Sakhir last December. At the first outing we locked out the front grid row with our two cars, but we couldn’t maintain the fast pace over the entire race distance. Since then, we’ve gained a lot more experience with the cars, and I’m sure we have good chances.” Richard Lietz (Porsche 911 RSR #91): “Our Porsche 911 RSR is a real top car in the GTE-Pro class. If everyone in the team does strategically clever work, if the squad does quick pit stops and we drivers do a flawless job, then nothing stands in the way of success. It’d be great to end the season with another victory.” Kévin Estre (Porsche 911 RSR #92): “I really like the Bahrain circuit. We were fast there last year in December but unfortunately, we weren’t able to win. We’re determined to change that now. After the somewhat negative results at Le Mans, it’s good to get another chance this season to finish on a high note. The winter break would be much more enjoyable with a win under our belt. We’ll do everything to be at the forefront in the eight-hour race.” Michael Christensen (Porsche 911 RSR #92): “I’m totally convinced that we’ll be as competitive in the coming race as we were in Bahrain last December. The foundations are laid for success at the end of the season. If we can just make it through the eight hours unscathed, there is a high chance we’ll be successful. Unfortunately, we didn’t earn enough points at Le Mans, so we’re out of contention to defend the title. Still, that makes it all the more important to conclude the year with a highlight.”
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LIQUI MOLY joins Unitronic for the TCR Championship Run in 2021
LIQUI MOLY has a long tradition in touring car sports. The oil and additive specialist has been active there for over ten years. It is now joining the TCR Championship Run in 2021 alongside Unitronic in North America. “This shows that our oils and additives also deliver top performance in racing use,” says Sebastian Zelger, CEO of LIQUI MOLY USA/Canada. Audi and Volkswagen tuning expert Unitronic has partnered with JDC-Miller MotorSports, who will be competing next year with an Audi RS 3 LMS TCR in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. LIQUI MOLY will be the official oil and additive supplier of Unitronic Corporate as well as the racing team. The company can draw on its many years of experience in touring car sports with BMW, Audi and Volkswagen vehicles, amongst others. “Thanks to our expertise with German imports, we help to get the last bit of power out of the engine and at the same time protect it from overload,” explains Sebastian Zelger. “And what has proven its worth on the race track also performs well on the road in everyday life and increases the reliability of the engine.” Unitronic specializes in performance software tuning and hardware upgrades of Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, and Lamborghini models. “This background makes Unitronic a natural partner for us as a German brand,” says Sebastian Zelger. “Our oils carry the approvals that the Volkswagen Group stipulates for its models.” That's why Unitronic will not only use LIQUI MOLY oils and additives at JDC-Miller MotorSports, but also in its own workshops for customers’ vehicles. “We are very excited to have this new partnership program for 2021,” says Lenny Levac, Director of Sales Canada at LIQUI MOLY. “The partnership with UNITRONIC JDC-Miller MotorSports and Unitronic allows us to share the experience we gain with our products on the race track with the workshops that work with Unitronic.”
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Porsche tackles season finale with emotions and goals high
Porsche has a clear goal for the final round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in Sebring (USA) on 14 November: The North American operations team Core Autosport is eager to wrap up the season with another victory on the Florida racetrack. The works campaign with the two Porsche 911 RSR in the GTLM class comes to an end after seven very successful years. As a special treat for the many fans and loyal partners in North America, Porsche sends the two works cars to contest the race on the Sebring International Raceway decked out in striking designs. The special livery of the two 911 RSR will be unveiled on Tuesday before the race. The driver line-up for the season finale is also new: The Swiss works driver Neel Jani supports the regular IMSA drivers at the event in Florida. The traditional twelve-hour event on the former airfield close to the city of Orlando was originally planned for mid-March but had to be postponed by eight months due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The last factory outing with the Porsche 911 RSR in the North American IMSA series brings up many emotions,” states Fritz Enzinger, Vice President Motorsport. “In the fierce competition against top-class rivals in the GTLM class, we’ve won the manufacturer’s title three times in seven years, among other accolades. We’re enormously proud of that. The North American market is very important for Porsche. That’s why I’m particularly pleased that our racing cars will be represented in big numbers at the IMSA events in 2021: the interest from customers to field the 911 GT3 R in the GTD class is huge, and we’ll be launching the new Porsche Carrera Cup North America next year as part of the support programme.” “We’re keen to close a great chapter in the IMSA series with another success,” declares Pascal Zurlinden, Director Factory Motorsport. “Sebring has always been good turf for Porsche. In the last two years, our Porsche 911 RSR won the GTLM class at the twelve-hour race in Florida. Over the past weeks, our factory squad won at Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca. We’re heading to the big finale in top form. I’m sure we’ll be among the frontrunners in Sebring, as well.” The race The Sebring International Raceway throws major challenges at man and machine. About a third of the 6.02-kilometre racetrack consists of concrete slabs, which were previously part of the runway at the former Hendricks Army Airfield. These slabs cause hefty vibrations. Due to this special feature, the racetrack located about 100 kilometres south of Orlando is often mentioned on social media with the hashtag #RespectTheBumps. For the engineers of the works team, the emphasis is on finding a suitable setup for the kinematics of the 911 RSR. Porsche is the most successful manufacturer on the storied circuit, which has regularly hosted endurance races since 1950. So far, the Stuttgart marque has netted 18 outright wins and 72 class victories at Sebring. In the last two years, the Porsche 911 RSR has dominated the GTLM class at the hugely popular endurances races in Florida. In addition to the Daytona 24-hour classic and the two races at Road Atlanta, this final round of the season counts towards the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. The Porsche GT Team drivers The regular drivers Nick Tandy from Great Britain and Frenchman Frédéric Makowiecki share driving duties in the No. 911 Porsche 911 RSR. The pair was part of the winning crew at Sebring in 2018 and 2019. Porsche has announced Earl Bamber from New Zealand as the third driver. The two reigning GTLM driver champions Earl Bamber and Belgium’s Laurens Vanthoor join forces with Neel Jani in the cockpit of the identical No. 912 sister car. The 36-year-old WEC champion and 2016 Le Mans makes his race debut at the wheel of the 911 RSR after many kilometres of testing. Bamber and Vanthoor recently won the Laguna Seca race. The pair ranks sixth in the drivers’ classification, one position behind Tandy and Makowiecki. In the manufacturer’s championship, Porsche heads to the final round of the season in third place. In the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup – a special classification which includes the four longest races of the season – the Porsche GT Team currently ranks second and has good chances of winning the title. The customer team In the GTD class, a category for racing cars complying with the FIA GT3 regulations, Wright Motorsports fields a Porsche 911 GT3 R. The American works driver Patrick Long joins forces with his compatriot Ryan Hardwick and Belgium’s Jan Heylen in the cockpit of the No. 16 car. The squad from the US state of Ohio is still in the running to claim the GTD-class title. Wright Motorsports travels to the final round ranking second in the team classification, seven points shy of the leader. Successes of the Porsche 911 RSR in the IMSA championship Since the start of the factory campaign with the Porsche 911 RSR in the hotly contested GTLM class of the IMSA series in 2014, the sports car manufacturer from Weissach has won the manufacturer’s title three times and the team championship twice. From 74 races over seven years, Porsche has achieved 20 wins, 20 pole positions and 55 podium finishes. The greatest highlight is the overall victory of the 911 RSR at the 2015 Petit Le Mans: In a spectacular race in the rain at Road Atlanta, the works drivers Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet and Richard Lietz outpaced the entire field, including the faster prototypes. Britain’s Nick Tandy tops the list of statistics as the most successful driver in the North American Porsche factory squad. With nine pole positions to his credit, the outright Le Mans winner from 2015 has set a record in the IMSA series. Live streaming of the race The Sebring 12-hour race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship takes off on Saturday, 14 November, at 10:10 am local time (16:10 pm CET). The race can be viewed outside the USA and Canada on www.imsa.com. The schedule (local time, CET: -6 hours) Thursday, 12 November 10:05 – 11:05 am: Free practice 1 2:35 – 3:50 pm: Free practice 2 6:15 – 7:45 pm: Free practice 3 Friday, 13 November 10:15 – 10:30 am: Qualifying GTD 10:40 – 10:55 am: Qualifying GTLM Saturday, 14 November 8:00 – 8:20 am: Warm-up 10:10 am – 10:10 pm: Race More comments prior to the race Steffen Höllwarth (Head of Operations IMSA Championship): “We’re returning to the venue where we’ve enjoyed many successes. Once again, our goal this year is clear: we want to win. Unfortunately, we don’t have our regular third drivers for this year’s 12-hour race because of overlapping dates with other series on the same race weekend. However, with Neel Jani, an extremely experienced driver joins the team. We aim to go for broke one last time with him and the entire squad. Unfortunately, we’re out contention for the IMSA title, but we are eager to clinch the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.” Nick Tandy (Porsche 911 RSR #911): “We’re returning to Sebring as the winners of the last two years. To clinch two straight victories in this twelve-hour race is quite an achievement. It would be awesome to finish the series with a hat trick! As such, our aim is very clear: We want maximum success again for our last joint outing as a works team. The farewell doesn’t play a major role for me until the chequered flag falls. I think it’s much more important that we prepare meticulously and systematically for this last race.” Frédéric Makowiecki (Porsche 911 RSR #911): “Nick and I have very fond memories of Sebring. We won the endurance classic in the last two years and we’d now like to wrap up the factory campaign with a third victory. The race is usually contested in spring. Now, in mid-November, we’ll be spending more time driving in the dark. We have to keep this in mind when finding an optimal setup. Those who drive fast and consistently in the night have the best chances in the fierce competition of the GTLM class.” Earl Bamber (Porsche 911 RSR #912): “For me personally, the end of the season is particularly significant because I have a very close relationship with the IMSA series. My career began as a Porsche works driver in North America in 2015. Since then, I’ve contested over 50 races in the championship, I’ve met some great people there and I’ve celebrated some fantastic wins. The undisputed highlight was our title win last year. I’d like to close this chapter with a win at Sebring.” Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche 911 RSR #912): “It’ll be an emotional finale in Florida. Over the years, we’ve experienced a lot, we’ve worked a lot and we’ve celebrated a lot with our fabulous team. We’re travelling to Sebring in high spirits after our win at Laguna Seca. We still have some unfinished business at the twelve-hour race. I’ve finished on the podium but I’ve never won there. It’s the perfect time to settle that score this coming weekend. I promise one thing: There’ll be some cool burnouts to farewell the fans.” Neel Jani (Porsche 911 RSR #912): “I’ve done several days of testing in the Porsche 911 RSR, but it’ll still be diving in the deep end. I’ve never contested a GT race before. I’ll have a lot to learn in a very short time at the Sebring weekend. Most notably, from the perspective of a GT driver, I’m not familiar with driving in traffic. Still, I know the track well, I’ve driven prototypes there multiple times and I climbed the podium in 2013. Four years later, I scored pole position in an LMP2 car – beating all DPi vehicles. I’m looking forward to this big challenge and I’d like to help my teammates, Earl and Laurens, as much as possible to finish as far up the GTLM field as possible.”
