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Post by wilmywood8455 on Feb 2, 2023 6:43:39 GMT -8
NASCAR Garage 56 set for 12-hour Daytona test before Sebring race-run attemptThe NASCAR-inspired Garage 56 entry for this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours will switch focus to endurance running at Daytona on Wednesday.The Next Gen-based Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which has been built by Hendrick Motorsports to represent NASCAR at Le Mans for its centenary race in 2023, has tested at road courses across America to increase its performance level up to sportscar standards. Now that program manager Chad Knaus is content about the car’s potential, attention will now turn to the endurance side to prove out its ability in lasting for the demands of the French sportscar classic. The car began a two-day test at Daytona’s road course on Tuesday, which includes acclimatizing recently-confirmed third driver Jenson Button alongside Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller, before testing the car’s new headlights when darkness descends. “The goal is to try to get about 12 hours of straight runtime in [on Wednesday],” said Knaus. “Obviously that will encroach into the evening hours, so we’re excited to see how that works. This is the first time they put headlights in a NASCAR car since however many years ago, we’ve worked on them at the shop, we’ve done preliminary testing and we’re excited. “So a 12-hour straight test here on Day 2, and we’ve got a bunch of setup things too. From an overall design standpoint, we feel like we’re pretty close with this car – you’ve got to draw a line in the sand at some point. www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/nascar-garage-56-daytona-test-sebring-race-run-attempt/10426687/?fbclid=IwAR0Ai-WN8VTn96SDaEXKoNRMgC3XHPqOelLEEqFJvy78sQ59A_YjVXM1agg
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Feb 2, 2023 13:02:47 GMT -8
Ford Mustang GT3 to Begin Testing This MonthMultimatic set to begin on-track testing program for Ford Mustang GT3…On-track testing of the Ford Mustang GT3 is set to begin this month according to Ford Performance global motorsports director Mark Rushbrook, who confirmed plans for a partial global rollout beginning in 2024. Development of the Multimatic-built car, which was first revealed in the digital launch of the new-generation Mustang platforms last September, has continued in recent months, with the build of the first chassis understood to be nearing completion. Speaking with Sportscar365 at Daytona International Speedway last weekend, Rushbrook outlined the initial testing plans that will be undertaken by Multimatic Motorsports. “We’ll test throughout the program before homologation,” he said. “We’ll have two cars. We will test in North America and in Europe. “[Multimatic’s] got a great footprint in the UK with their shop there and everything.” Rushbrook indicated Ford will be focused on the North American and European markets only in the car’s launch year, stating that it would be “global” but “not fully global” at first. “We will have a priority to have the factory cars in IMSA,” Rushbrook said. sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/mustang-gt3-testing-set-to-begin-this-month/?fbclid=IwAR3FYVHRwh2qwdiO_wPcEhJtKiNtXW0dkT4AKTf6dhiIdtVKuduuYz_wmJ0
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Feb 17, 2023 13:13:12 GMT -8
NASCAR Le Mans Garage 56 entry revealedNASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear took another step toward the 24 Hours of Le Mans by unveiling their official Garage 56 entry Friday at Daytona International Speedway. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 largely resembles its NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen counterpart with a composite symmetric body. The main difference is the specs that make Garage 56 fit to compete in France, such as headlights, taillights and a larger fuel cell. The Garage 56 car is also lighter than the Next Gen car, weighing in at 2,960 lbs (1,342 kg) compared to the heavy stock car at 3,485 lbs. The Garage 56 car is the same height (50.4 inches) and width (78.6 in.) as the Next Gen car, although it is slightly larger. Next Gen has a length of 193.4 in., and Garage 56 is 195.4 in. And both vehicles will run the same engine –the Chevrolet R07 cast iron small block V8. “From the beginning of this project, it was important to us that the car we bring to Le Mans is a true NASCAR stock car,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France. “While there have been some adjustments to allow the car to compete in a 24-hour endurance race, fans in Le Mans will be treated to the full NASCAR experience.” The entry still has not received official approval by the I’Automobile Club de l’Ouest but the parties involved anticipate that happening in the near future. Mike Rockenfeller, Jimmie Johnson, and Jenson Button will drive the Garage 56 car in the the 100th 24 Hours of Le Mans, set to be held June 10-11. The Garage 56 car will be back on track Monday and Tuesday for a 24-hour test at Sebring International Raceway. racer.com/2023/02/17/nascar-le-mans-garage-56-entry-revealed/?utm_source=RACER+%2F%2F+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8a5d4c0972-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_02_17_08_28&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-8a5d4c0972-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D
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kidrybot
Full Member
Dr. Jerry Punch's future son-in-law
Posts: 1,456
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Post by kidrybot on Feb 27, 2023 18:04:36 GMT -8
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Mar 17, 2023 5:51:32 GMT -8
Ferrari Beats Toyota to Shock 1000M Sebring PoleAntonio Fuoco puts No. 50 Ferrari 499P on pole for 1000 Miles of Sebring…Photo: MPS Agency Antonio Fuoco claimed the first pole position for the new Ferrari 499P ahead of the Italian LMH car’s FIA World Endurance Championship debut at Sebring International Raceway. After Toyota led last weekend’s Prologue test and all Free Practice sessions, Fuoco shocked the Japanese manufacturer in qualifying by reeling off a time of 1:45.067. The Italian beat Brendon Hartley in the No. 8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid by 0.214 seconds, while Kamui Kobayashi qualified third in the sister Toyota on a 1:45.548. Ferrari AF Corse sandwiched the two Toyotas as Alessandro Pier Guidi took fourth with a time of 1:45.874. Alex Lynn put Cadillac squad Chip Ganassi Racing fifth in the highest-placed LMDh car, ahead of the two LMDh-spec Porsche 963s from Porsche Penske Motorsport. Peugeot qualified eighth and ninth, with the French manufacturer’s best hybrid-powered 9X8 LMH car ending up 2.3 seconds off the pace. Glickenhaus Racing beat Floyd Vanwall Racing Team in the battle between the non-hybrid LMH constructors, with Olivier Pla finishing just under two-tenths ahead of Tom Dillmann. sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/ferrari-takes-1000-miles-of-sebring-pole/?fbclid=IwAR050ResbJLbQ44QmDr08pTYS0wSD2Gf96ibbCRxvEqjKA7PQ2riDmo818U
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Post by olderguysrule on May 20, 2023 6:50:33 GMT -8
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Jun 8, 2023 8:30:10 GMT -8
GM Rules Out Full Factory Corvette GT3 Team in 2024General Motors has ruled out the continuation of a full factory Corvette team when it transitions to GT3 machinery next year according to GM’s motorsport competition engineering director Mark Stielow, who confirmed a focus on customer teams only with the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. The Detroit manufacturer, which has fielded the works Corvette Racing squad for the last 25 years, will close out its factory chapter at the end of the current IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship seasons, where it is running Chevrolet Corvette C8.Rs in GTD Pro and GTE-Am, respectively. Stielow, however, confirmed that Corvette will continue to have a presence in the IMSA GTD Pro class next year with two cars, potentially still operated by Pratt Miller Motorsport but under a “hybrid” structure that would feature works support. “We’re moving into the GT3 platform so we’re going to have a true customer program,” Stielow told Sportscar365 in an exclusive interview. “We’re going through the process right now. “My team wanted to be very enthusiastic and build a lot of cars; I wanted to keep the launch slow but very high quality. “So we’re going to launch with hopefully four cars at the Daytona 24-hour; we’ll have two GTD Pros and two GTDs. That’s the plan. We’re trying to get all those things lined up right now. sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/gm-rules-out-full-factory-corvette-gt3-team-in-2024/?fbclid=IwAR3dhXVHH5SlyG3BrRvbUBgTIJm4CiCMGx8U3lwHElcRgWBY3JQpYGEOl68
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Jun 12, 2023 3:50:46 GMT -8
New details of Corvette GT3 program revealedGeneral Motors has revealed additional details of how its Corvette customer GT3 program with the Z06 GT3.R is coming together for 2024. Over the coming months multiple announcements are expected, confirming customer teams in IMSA’s WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, SRO championships and the FIA World Endurance Championship. Eight cars are expected to compete in year one, explained Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM Sports Car Racing Manager. “Our desired plan has been to launch in 2024 with four cars racing in IMSA — two in GTD PRO and two in GTD — two cars in the WEC and two in SRO America,” Wontrop Klauser told RACER. “Understanding the timing of the 2024 WEC race schedule helps us coordinate build schedules to ensure we can meet the race timing, assuming our WEC attendance is granted.” In IMSA, the four cars are likely to be split evenly across the GTD and GTD Pro categories. How the GTD PRO effort will look is still being decided, though Corvette and the Pratt Miller organization behind it are keen to have some form of factory presence if possible. “There is a plan in place to start confirming our customer teams, and I think fans will be very happy with the organizations we have chosen,” added Wontrop Klauser. Tire testing with Goodyear and Pirelli is a key part of the development phase for the car still to come. RACER understands that the Corvette hasn’t yet tested on either Pirelli or Goodyear tires (for SRO and WEC competition), but opportunities are expected to arise over the summer months with both manufacturers. The prospective GTD PRO team from IMSA will lead the way in terms of testing the car over the months to come. racer.com/2023/06/09/new-details-of-corvette-gt3-program-revealed/?fbclid=IwAR3dLC4XsJKRI3jECiQZOyFS7EMwajh2EZa9hYk-FYqIAhIKSSBFE8XDWLs
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Jun 12, 2023 3:54:22 GMT -8
Garage 56 celebrates ‘mission accomplished’ at Le MansThe champagne glasses were already lined up as NASCAR Chairman Jim France walked into the Garage 56 team garage on the Cirque de le Sarthe pit road in the closing minutes of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Sunday. But instead of an “early” toast, he smiled and reminded the group, “we’re almost there” and insisted on waiting until the checkered flag. NASCAR executives Mike Helton and Steve O’Donnell, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and team Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon joined IMSA President John Doonan nearby as seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson turned the race’s final laps in the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. They were not just watching those last moments, but soaking it all in — more than a year from conception to execution to champagne. The excitement was palpable. The impending achievement a heart-full. racer.com/2023/06/11/garage-56-celebrates-mission-accomplished-at-le-mans/
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Jun 18, 2023 5:19:30 GMT -8
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kidrybot
Full Member
Dr. Jerry Punch's future son-in-law
Posts: 1,456
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Post by kidrybot on Jun 20, 2023 14:40:51 GMT -8
Everyone getting BoPped on weight at least... the "energy" stuff is beyond my comprehension.
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Jun 24, 2023 2:56:28 GMT -8
Chevrolet, Pratt Miller Continue Collaboration with 2024 Corvette GTD PRO ProgramCorvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Is the First Team Announced in the New Corvette Z06 GT3.R EraWATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Chevrolet and Pratt Miller Motorsports announced today a continuation of their quarter-century relationship in IMSA racing with the next generation of the Corvette to begin competition in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports will enter two new Corvette Z06 GT3.R cars in the GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) class of the WeatherTech Championship. The factory-supported effort is the first of two planned Corvette programs for the series, with additional customer racing teams to be named later. Pratt Miller has operated the Corvette Racing program since its 1999 inception, collecting 125 race wins around the globe to date in the fully factory-supported program. The shift for 2024 sees Chevrolet developing the Corvette Z06 GT3.R to global GT3 specifications and making the car available to customer teams in racing series around the world. Continuing the alignment with Pratt Miller in the WeatherTech Championship came naturally. “Chevrolet and Pratt Miller have collaborated for more than 25 years on the Corvette Racing program, and we are thrilled that we are able to continue together into the GT3 era,” said Christie Bagne, Corvette Z06 GT3.R program manager. “It makes sense to have Corvette Racing with Pratt Miller Motorsports lead the competition element of the Z06 GT3.R program in the GTD PRO championship starting in 2024,” Bagne added. “We couldn’t have a better representative than the same group that has been part of the development, build and testing processes for our new Corvette race car. The learnings we will take from testing and competition will flow to our other Z06 GT3.R customer teams to ensure that the Corvette brand is a championship contender around the world.” www.imsa.com/news/2023/06/23/chevrolet-pratt-miller-continue-collaboration-with-2024-corvette-gtd-pro-program/?fbclid=IwAR2jm74FC3SszJg3gMFEdCmCIWTPep9wr0T0nlI-FNJJyqOyPSa4mTIjtIE
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Jul 8, 2023 5:35:09 GMT -8
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Jul 28, 2023 6:37:27 GMT -8
Ford Launches Mustang Single-Make Series for Dark Horse RIMSA-sanctioned single-make series to launch in 2024 on five to six sports car weekends…Ford Performance has taken the wraps off its Mustang Dark Horse R, a turn-key race car that will compete in the newly confirmed Mustang Challenge single-make series beginning next year. As previously revealed by Sportscar365, the Detroit manufacturer will launch an all-Mustang series, sanctioned by IMSA, which will feature a 10-12-race calendar in conjunction with five to six yet-to-be-announced North American sports car race weekends. All cars will compete on racing tires developed specifically for Mustang Challenge by Michelin. “Mustang Dark Horse R owners will have the opportunity to race and test their driving skills with other Mustang enthusiasts at some of the world’s most incredible tracks,” said Ford Performance motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook. sportscar365.com/other-series/ford-confirms-mustang-challenge-single-make-series-for-dark-horse-r/?fbclid=IwAR1IsZZcv4Tk_bZObkpclbwCuCEyihbpZkfApCBIdaTP7ktuW32SZwt-quQ
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Aug 10, 2023 13:26:06 GMT -8
Positives and challenges of growth driving IMSA’s 2024 agendaThis week, entries for the 2024 season of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship opened. Sounds unremarkable until you remember that it’s August, and they’re going to close two months from now in October. IMSA’s goal is to release the full-season entry list by Petit Le Mans in mid-October. When was the last time a racing series, with perhaps the exception of Formula 1, did something like that? While that doesn’t mean there will be specifics such as driver lineups, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if some of the entries mention a class and a number but not a car, that’s a fairly significant development in a world where announcements from teams and manufacturers dribble in during December and we don’t get the full picture until about a week before the Roar Before the 24. It’s also necessary, given the burgeoning interest in the WeatherTech Championship and sports car racing in general. With the rules for IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship running in parallel in the top GTP/Hypercar class and, next year, in the GT classes as well, the interest among manufacturers and teams is at an all-time high. Speculation is rampant as to which manufacturers will be shut out of WEC’s new LMGT3 class, and IMSA has to figure out how to arrange classes for circuits that have limited capacity in pit lane and paddock. IMSA also has to manage the desires of those that wish to campaign a full season, or a full season of Michelin Endurance Cup, so they can do so. At Road America last weekend, IMSA president John Doonan made reference to the problems with being too popular — a problem sports car racing hasn’t always had. And that popularity isn’t just with manufacturers and teams, but crowds as well. Outside, during Doonan’s presentation at lunchtime on Friday, cars and RVs and trucks with campers were rolling in. Camping was sold out. The grid walk on Sunday was was packed, it has been before every race this season. Sports car racing is at a level of popularity not seen in decades. racer.com/2023/08/10/positives-and-challenges-of-growth-driving-imsas-2024-agenda/?utm_source=RACER+%2F%2F+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b42ec68b25-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_08_10_06_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-b42ec68b25-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Aug 15, 2023 14:02:20 GMT -8
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Oct 4, 2023 9:32:36 GMT -8
Meyer Shank to pause sports car effort after Petit Le MansMeyer Shank Racing’s run at next week’s Petit Le Mans, the IMSA season season finale, will mark the team’s 351st and last sports car outing until a new program can be established. Despite its ongoing efforts to find a new factory initiative to lead for 2024, MSR team owners Mike Shank and Jim Meyer ran out of time to conclude a deal to continue in IMSA next season. Talks will continue in the weeks and months ahead, and with a championship-winning crew to look after, MSR will continue to employ the members of its GTP program to have a turnkey operation that’s ready to act once its next IMSA relationship is forged.racer.com/2023/10/03/msr-to-halt-sports-car-effort-after-petit-le-mans/?fbclid=IwAR3u85vv7WtzK7tDBZ3IvypYNpwubzOZ_DRmET-6rD-eVErmZn8O3bu9dnQThat last bit gives me a great reason to root for these guys' success finding another deal. That is damn decent of them.
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Oct 4, 2023 13:21:09 GMT -8
Aston Martin entering WEC Hypercar, IMSA GTP fields with Valkyrie LMHAston Martin is set to return to the top class of sportscar racing as a factory, with today’s announcement at AMR Technology Campus in the UK that the Valkyrie LMH program has been revived. At least one Valkyrie, entered by Aston Martin, will compete in the FIA WEC Hypercar and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP class from 2025 onwards. This two-pronged approach means Aston Martin becomes the first manufacturer to commit an LMH-spec car to both championships. This revitalised program, which was initially announced at Le Mans in 2019 and shelved in early 2020, and which RACER has teased since June, will receive support and backing from The Heart of Racing, a current Aston Martin customer team which currently competes in the GT ranks of both the WEC and IMSA. “Performance is the lifeblood of everything that we do at Aston Martin, and motorsport is the ultimate expression of this pursuit of excellence,” said Lawrence Stroll, the executive chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda. racer.com/2023/10/04/aston-martin-entering-wec-hypercar-imsa-gtp-fields-with-valkyrie-lmh/?utm_source=RACER+%2F%2F+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b8dbe3f59e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_10_04_07_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-b8dbe3f59e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Oct 14, 2023 4:20:31 GMT -8
Ford Performance Names 2024 Mustang GT3 DriversMike Rockenfeller joins returning Ford drivers Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, and Harry TincknellOver a year since Ford first announced the new Mustang GT3 and four years since the end of the Ford GT programme, the Blue Oval is back in 2024 with plans to enter a two-car factory team in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, with the two full-season driver pairings for the 2024 season announced today. Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, Harry Tincknell, and Mike Rockenfeller will drive the two Ford Performance Mustang GT3s in IMSA next year, with 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans class winners Hand and Müller in one car, and Tincknell sharing the other with Ford newcomer and Le Mans overall winner Rockenfeller. Both cars were built and will be managed by Ford’s longtime partners at Multimatic Motorsports. www.dailysportscar.com/2023/10/12/ford-performance-names-2024-mustang-gt3-drivers.html?fbclid=IwAR0FzTqKdWSy-8j8tDwvoO4K6VDjJzLXSizhAIp4IGPXplTKyEjBPIoAfJA
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Post by wilmywood8455 on Nov 22, 2023 7:28:24 GMT -8
AWA Takes Delivery of First Two Customer Corvette Z06 GT3.RsCanadian squad receives first two customer Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs ahead of Daytona debut…The first two customer Corvette Z06 GT3.R race cars are now in private hands as AWA has taken delivery of its two Corvettes for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. A pair of Z06 GT3.Rs rolled into AWA team transporters from GM’s Performance and Racing Center on Monday. The Canadian team will campaign the Corvettes in the GTD class starting with the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. “Delivering the first two customer Z06 GT3.Rs to AWA marks the start of the next phase of our Corvette Customer Support program,” said Corvette Z06 GT3.R program manager Christie Bagne. “A big thank you to our constructor Pratt Miller, our GM Performance and Racing team and everyone at the GM Assembly Plant in Bowling Green. “We look forward to the continued collaboration with AWA ahead of their preseason test program and on toward the Rolex 24.” sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/awa-takes-delivery-of-first-two-customer-corvette-z06-gt3-rs/?fbclid=IwAR09lA1MZCZr-qsUvVla6RrukMBzemlvaYEs_4buxZj0vUEp7D-T8V4k0Hs
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