Archive for August, 2008
Planetlemans analyzes the Detroit Sports Car Challenge
An Acura sweep, Porsche GT2 dominance and bitter results for both Audi and Ferrari were the main headlines for the ALMS Detroit Sports Car Challenge on Saturday. What seemed like an unusually long pit stop by Andretti Green was actually the master tactical set that would put ultra fast Franck Montagny for the maximum 2 hours on the XM-sponsored Acura and give Acura a precious overall victory at Penske’s home race.
Dyson Detroit race report
The second annual American Le Mans Detroit Sports Car Challenge was an entertaining race with engaging stand-alone chapters. Adding to the fan’s enjoyment was the run of the #16 Porsche RS Spyder of Chris Dyson and Guy Smith. They qualified third yesterday, but elected to change tires after this morning’s warm-up, which meant they started the race from the rear of the grid.
First overall victory for Andretti Green Acura at Detroit
Andretti Green Racing, led by XM Satellite Radio Acura drivers Franck Montagny and James Rossiter, claimed its first overall victory in American Le Mans Series (ALMS) competition Saturday at the Detroit Sports Car Challenge at The Raceway at Belle Isle. A sharply-timed driver change from Rossiter to Montagny at the 43-minute mark put the XM Acura team in a position to claim track position late, which they did by winning the race off the pit lane with just 69 minutes remaining.
Patrón Highcroft takes second overall at Detroit
Patrón Highcroft Racing continued its run of podium finishes to secure second overall and in the LMP2 class at round nine, the Detroit Sportscar Challenge presented by Bosch at Belle Isle, on Saturday, August 30. The latest stellar performance from the Patrón Highcroft crew helped drivers Scott Sharp and David Brabham to slash the LMP2 championship gap from 10 points to four heading in to the last two rounds of the season.
Pirro-Fässler excluded from Detroit results, Luhr-Werner clinch LMP1 title
Despite not finishing the city street race in Detroit, the two German Audi “factory” drivers Lucas Luhr and Marco Werner have already clinched the Drivers’ title in the LM P1 class of the American Le Mans Series.The title chase was decided as their teammates Marcel Fässler and Emanuele Pirro, who had originally won the LM P1 class on the “Belle Isle Street Circuit”, were excluded after the race. At Technical Scrutineering, the #1 Audi R10 TDI was found to be 2.5 kilograms under the requested 925-kilogram weight limit.
Mixed results for Porsche at Detroit
In what has turned out to be the hardest-fought two class championship points battles in the history of the American Le Mans Series, Porsche cars and drivers edged closer to the GT2 championship with the Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs finishing first and second in class, while an Acura win in LMP2 gives them a four point lead in the manufacturers championship while Porsche drivers maintain a slight lead in drivers points after today’s Detroit Sports Car Challenge Presented by Bosch.
LMP1 victory for Pirro-Fässler at Detroit does not materialize(updated)
Audi drivers Marcel Fässler and Emanuele Pirro achieved their first victory in the LM P1 class of the American Le Mans Series in the city street race in Detroit (U.S. state of Michigan). After a faultless drive they finished third overall with their Audi R10 TDI. Lucas Luhr and Marc Werner retired early following an accident and, after seven consecutive victories, for the first time this year did not score any points.
Lizards take 1-2 at Detroit
Starting from the pole in GT2, Wolf Henzler and Joerg Bergmeister brought the No. 45 Flying Lizard Porsche in for their fourth GT2 win so far this season in today’s Detroit Sports Car Challenge. Teammates Johannes van Overbeek and Patrick Pilet fought back from a late-race spin and unplanned pit stop to finish second in GT2. This is the fifth double podium of the year for the Lizard squad. The No. 44 Porsche of Lonnie Pechnik and Martin Ragginger, finished fourth, its second highest finish of the year.
Risi grabs podium at Detroit
A Detroit double was not to be for the Risi Competizione team today, although the Houston-based GT2 Champions got very close to taking their second consecutive American Le Mans Series race victory. The team did, however, have both their red Ferrari 430s finish in the top five of the GT2 class, with the #62 car securing their third podium finish of the season. This result contributed valuable points for Ferrari in the Manufacturers’ Championship. The race was won by the #45 Flying Lizard Porsche of Henzler and Bergmeister.
Bad luck for Tafel Racing at Detroit
Tafel Racing entered today’s Detroit Sports Car Challenge with high expectations for both its No. 71 Tafel/Bell Micro Racing Ferrari F430 GTC and No. 73 Tafel Racing Ferrari F430 GTC. However, a starter motor failure as Dominik Farnbacher (Ansbach, Germany) handed the Bell Micro entry to Dirk Müller (a native of Germany living in Monaco) on the first pit stop would end the three-time American Le Mans Series GT2 class winners’ pursuit of a fourth class victory this season.
Also visit
Categories
Recent Comments
- GTurner on Black Swan Racing to skip Sebring 12 Hours
- Bamba on Braille Battery to sponsor Primetime Race Group
- Bamba on Black Swan Racing to skip Sebring 12 Hours
- Tommy on No FIA GT2 Championship For 2010
- Subaru WRX on No FIA GT2 Championship For 2010
- Christopher on No FIA GT2 Championship For 2010
- Matt on Braille Battery to sponsor Primetime Race Group
- ThomE on Black Swan Racing to skip Sebring 12 Hours
