2011 12 Hours of Sebring Highlights

Start




Restart Action Audi vs Peugeot!




Magnussen, Long and van Overbeek big crash




Tent on Track!




Audi and Peugeot Collide!




Dirk Mueller Puncture




Ryan Lewis on Fire




Onboards at dusk




Pedro Lamy Spin




Finish! Team Oreca Matmut Wins!

2010 Petit Le Mans Highlights

Race Intro




Race Start with Radio Le Mans Commentary




Shane Lewis Dirk Müller Contact




Bill Sweedler Porsche 911 GT3 Crash




David Murry Ford GT off after contact with Marco Werner




Robert Rodriguez Porsche 911 GT3 High Speed Off




Marcel Fässler Audi R15 TDI goes off




Andre Lotterer destroys the front of his Audi R15 TDI




Audi and Peugeot make contact




Christian Zugel Highspeed Spin




Mark Wilkins Crash




Porsche 911 GT3 Loren Beggs Spin




Weardrobe Malfunction for Capello in the Audi, Peugeot takes the lead




Highspeed Spin infront of the field




Finish

2010 24 Heures du Mans - Aston Martin Lola - Darren Turner - Onboard

Audi R8 LMS GT3: EVO Magazine Review

Audi R8 LMS GT3: Autocar Review

Inside Falken's ALMS Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Racecar

Ford Focus RS Le Mans Classic

A Ford vai lançar cinco versões especiais do Focus RS para celebrar as vitórias da montadora norte-americana nas 24 Horas de Le Mans, a prova de resistência mais tradicional do esporte a motor.

Os modelos serão exclusivos, já que a Ford vai fabricar apenas uma unidade de cada versão. Cada um dos veículos possui uma pintura exclusiva, que remete a momentos distintos vividos pela montadora entre as décadas de 1960 e 1970.

Entre os veículos, a Ford oferece um Focus pintado de preto com faixas cinzas, em homenagem à vitória de 1966, uma unidade pintada de vermelho com faixas brancas, em alusão ao trunfo de 1967, e um veículo na combinação azul e laranja, homenageando as duas vitórias de 1968 e 1969.

O quarto carro foi tingido de branco e azul para simular a pintura do Ford Capri RS 2600, vencedor de 1972, enquanto que a quinta unidade é um modelo pintado de branco com detalhes em azul e vermelho, fazendo uma homenagem ao Ford MK IIB, que disputou a prova em 1967.

Cada um dos veículos é equipado com quatro bancos Recaro revestidos de couro e alcântara, com cores que combinam com a pintura da carroceria. As combinações também aparecem em detalhes, como as manoplas do câmbio, do freio de mão e o apoio de braço central.

Os cinco modelos serão vendidos após a realização da Le Mans Classic, que acontecerá entre os dias 9 e 11 de julho. Todas as unidades contarão ainda com um cronômetro e painel desenhados exclusivamente para as versões.

FORD FOCUS RS LE MANS CLASSIC: A COLLECTION OF 5 UNIQUE EXAMPLES CREATED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY FORD LE MANS RACERS

Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 21 June 2010 - Ecurie Ford France, one of the partners of the popular
Le Mans Classic event which takes place between July 9th and 11th, has prepared a collection of just five Focus RS cars in unique colour schemes, each paying tribute to the Ford cars which made
'blue oval' history at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Each of the five Focus RS Le Mans Classic vehicles will be finished in the colours of one of the Ford cars which made 24 Hours history for Ford. During the event itself, they will even carry the race number of the cars to which they're paying tribute:

* Black with silver stripes: a reference to the Ford Mk II, which was victorious in 1966.
* Red with white stripes: recalling the Mk IV which won in 1967.
* White with a thin blue centre stripe surrounded by a red border: echoing the decoration of the beautiful Ford Mk IIB, entered by Ford France in the 1967 Le Mans 24-hours.
* Two-tone sky blue and orange: A modern take on the GT40s which dominated Le Mans in 1968 and 1969.
* Two-tone white and blue: representing the livery of the Capri RS 2600 which took the Touring category in 1972.

All five exclusive Focus RS vehicles also have customised interiors. The Recaro seats are upholstered in leather and diamond-quilted alcantara, front and back, with stitching that matches the bodywork. The gearshift gaiter, hand brake handle and central arm-rest are upholstered in real leather, and a leather safety belt guide has been added to the front seats.

Each of the five cars will carry a personalised numbered plaque on the dashboard confirming its exclusivity as part of the collection.

The five cars will be seen in action at the 2010 Le Mans Classic in July, and will be driven on a number of laps of the full track at the start of a number of the different 'grid' races reserved for cars of a particular era, with Ford-invited special guests and VIPs at the wheel.

The Focus RS Le Mans Classic units will be joined on the track by the limited edition Ford Focus RS500, whose futuristic matt black livery will be an equally eye-catching addition to the palette of colours which have fired the imaginations of countless fans of Ford and the greatest endurance race in the world.

Only Five For Sale

Once the fifth Le Mans Classic event is over, these five unique Focus RS Le Mans Classic vehicles will be put up for sale, and will be offered with exclusive accessories. Fitted with either RS(1) or RS Technology(2) packs, they will be supplied with a Le Mans Classic watch - a 3-dial automatic chronograph with large date display and sapphire background of which only 600 are to be produced.

The 5 cars to which the Ford Focus RS Le Mans Classic is paying tribute:

The Ford Mk II (victorious in 1966): on the 18th of June 1966, Henry Ford II himself gave the starting signal for the 24th Le Mans 24 Hours. He let loose a pack of fifty-five vehicles led out by two of the eight Mk IIs entered by the manufacturer plus six GT40s, including one belonging to Ford France which was driven by Guy Ligier and the American Bob Grossman. The duel with Ferrari was at its peak for this "race of the century". Unbeaten since 1960, the Italian marque was the queen of Le Mans. However, this time it was the Americans who dominated, pulling off a spectacular triple! For the first time ever, the 200km/h average speed barrier was broken at
Le Mans.

The Ford Mk IV (winner in 1967): Wanting revenge, Ferrari sent its formidable 330 P4s to challenge the Mk IVs in a face-to-face battle without mercy. However, it was all in vain. The unstoppable red, white-trimmed Mk IV, piloted by Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt, wiped the floor with Lodovico Scarfiotti and Mike Parkes' P4. Unforgettable new pages in the history of motor sport were being written before everyone's eyes. The epic tale of the Mk IIs and Mk IVs concluded with the spectacular distance (5,232.9 km) and average speed (218 km/h!) records set by Ford that year.

The Ford GT40 (victorious in 1968 and 1969): Even though Ford as a manufacturer was not directly involved, John Wyer's JWA team benefitted from Gulf Oil sponsorship and the blessing of Ford Dearborn. For their first outing in 1968, the GT40s faced some keen and challenging competition from Porsche and Alfa Romeo. Driven by Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi, the GT40 clearly dominated the field ahead of a Porsche 907 and three Alfa Romeo 33/2s. This third consecutive Ford victory was the first for a genuine GT40.

In 1969, competition was as intense and varied as ever: Porsche was in attendance with its 908s and its new 917s, Matra introduced its 630/650s and Ferrari was back again with its 312 Ps. Nevertheless, once again the GT40 beat them all, sweeping the boards at the end of an epic duel. Jacky Ickx raced across the finish line leaving the German Hans Hermann 120 metres behind and red faced at the wheel of his Porsche. The GT40 drove away with Ford's fourth consecutive victory at Le Mans!

Capri RS 2600 (1st in the Special Touring category in 1972): Tenth overall, the Capri RS 2600, driven by Gerry Birrel and Claude Bourgoignie, dominated its category during the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours. Manufactured between 1969 and 1986, the Ford Capri enjoyed a great sporting career and was one of the great leaders of the European Touring Car Championships and the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. It also shone in the Production Cars Championship of France and the famous British Touring Car Championship. Many Formula 1 drivers distinguished themselves at the wheel of a Capri, including Jochen Mass, Hans Stuck and the Tyrrell Racing duo of Jackie Stewart and François Cevert during the 6 Hours of Paul Ricard Circuit organised in 1972. The rally version of the Capri also appeared in the colours of Ecurie Ford France with internationally renowned drivers such as Jean-François Piot, Guy Chasseuil, Jean Vinatier and Jean-Claude Gamet at the wheel.

Ford Mk II Ecurie Ford France (1967): Jo Schlesser teamed up with his friend Guy Ligier on only one occasion at Le Mans. That was in 1967, in a magnificent white Ford Mk II powered by a seven litre V8 engine. An early track exit crushed their hopes in the 13th hour. However, driving the same car, they won the last ever 12 Hours of Reims, the other former great French endurance race. Jo Schlesser, a driver with an incredibly eclectic talent, was killed during the 1968 French Grand Prix. He was one of Ecurie Ford France's most emblematic drivers, racing on track circuits, in rallies and in a famous hill climbing race of the time, the Mont-Ventoux.

2010 24 Heures du Mans Highlights

Group C Legends Race Start




Group C Legends Race Nissan RC90 Crash




Group C Legends Race Jaguar XJR 11 Porsche 962 Lead Battle




Start




Nigel Mansell Crash




BMW Art Car in trouble




#3 Peugeot 908 HDi retires




Dumbreck, Zollinger Crash




Nicolas Prost catches air




Tom Kristensen Audi R15 TDI Plus Crash




Natacha Gachnang Ford GT1 on Fire!




Crashing and Spinning under Safety Car




Mike Rockenfeller Audi R15 TDI Plus Onboard




GT2 Lead Battle Corvette vs. Ferrari




Jean-Christophe Boullion Crash




Onboards at Night




Anthony Davidson spins




Leading Peugeot retires




Emmanuel Collard Corvette C6 ZR1 Big Crash




Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari F430 GT2 Crash




Anthony Davidson runs wide




Andre Lotterer Crash




Battle for 2nd Audi vs. Peugeot




Oreca Peugeot 908 HDi retires




#1 Peugeot 908 HDi retires




Finish! The Audi R15 TDI Plus wins!

Uma imagem

As suíças Natacha Gachnang, Cyndie Allemann e Rahel Frey formarão uma equipe 100% feminina nas 24 Horas de Le Mans. A Matech Competition aposta nelas na categoria LMGT1, com um Ford GT.

2010 Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Highlights

Intro




Practice Crashes




Race Start




Incredible battle for the lead in LMP1 and GT2




Jan Magnussen 3 Wide Pass on Jamie Melo




Race Onboards




Dirk Werner goes off




Corvette Racing Pit Stop Disaster




J. R. Hildebrand Crash




Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Team Falken Tyre Failures




Wolf Henzler Porsche 997 GT3 RSR loses a tyre




David Murry goes off




Scott Sharp Ferrari F430 GT2 On Fire!




Last Lap




Race Final - Andy Priaulx




Race Final - Bill Auberlen




Race Final - Dirk Werner



Final Results

Fantastic Racing Accidents Of 2009

Uma compilação de acidentes das mais diversas categorias do automobilismo ao redor do mundo, com destaque para a NASCAR e à V8 Supercars Australia, que sempre proporcionam sinistros de maiores proporções.

Jean Alesi voltará a correr pela Ferrari, na Le Mans Series

Aproveitando o fato de que Felipe Massa foi à Pista di Fiorano para percorrer alguns quilômetros a bordo do F2007, Jean Alesi, de 45 anos, testou a Ferrari F430 GT2, da AF Corse GT, equipe que disputa a FIA GT Championship e a Le Mans Series, cujo diretor é Amato Ferrari.

Este teste faz parte dos planos do piloto francês de voltar a pilotar pela Ferrari no ano que vem, depois de 14 anos. Jean Alesi competiu na Fórmula 1 pela equipe de Maranello de 1991 a 1996, onde conquistou sua única vitória na carreira, além de inúmeros pódios. A partir de 2010, o piloto francês disputará a Le Mans Series pela AF Corse GT.

Truth In 24 - Grátis no iTunes

Está disponível de graça no iTunes para download o documentário Truth In 24, feito pela Audi, que mostra os bastidores da endurance mais famosa do mundo.

Para fazer o download, você precisa ter uma conta na iTunes Store válida para os Estados Unidos, e clicar neste link.

2009 12 Hours of Sebring - Last Lap

Truth In 24

"Truth In 24″ é um documentário produzido e patrocinado pela Audi que mostra a tentativa da Audi Racing Team em vencer as 24 Horas de Le Mans pela quinta vez consecutiva. O filme conta a estratégia da equipe com cenas de bastidores, depoimento de pilotos, engenheiros, a rivalidade com o Team Peugeot, e cenas da corrida.

A sua estréia está marcada para 27 de janeiro, no festival internacional de cinema de Santa Barbara.

truthin24.com

BMW and Rahal Letterman Racing - 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Novas regras

O Automóvel Clube do Oeste (ACO), através do vice-presidente Daniel Poissenot, anunciou que serão feitas alterações no regulamento das 24 Horas de Le Mans, que afetarão sensivelmente a parte mecânica e a aerodinâmica dos carros de algumas categorias.

Confira os itens que serão mexidos:

• Motores diesel: terão sua potência reduzida em 2009, para a classe LMP1.
• Motores da classe LMP2: terão sua potência reduzida, provavelmente com a diminuição do diâmetro do restritor de ar, que varia de carro para carro.
• Motores a gasolina: o ACO fará um estudo comparativo de desempenho entre os motores a gasolina derivados de modelos de série e motores a gasolina específicos para competição.
• Aerodinâmica revisada: a configuração aerodinâmica dos protótipos LMP1 e LMP2 será revista, especialmente com relação à asa traseira. O objetivo é evitar acidentes como o de Stéphane Ortelli em Monza e os de Marc Gené e Hideki Noda em Le Mans.
• Trocas de pneus: serão tomadas medidas com relação à troca de pneus. O ACO estuda o uso de apenas uma pistola de ar comprimido para as duas rodas de cada lado do carro.

Em 15 de setembro, a entidade vai anunciar oficialmente o novo pacote técnico que, segundo Poissenot, “foi feito para reduzir a performance dos carros, buscar um equilíbrio maior entre os diferentes fabricantes de motor e principalmente manter a diferença técnica entre os protótipos LMP1 e LMP2″.

Fonte: A Mil Por Hora

Mais um bate em Le Mans!

Stuart Hall, da Creation AIM.

Mais um carro "decola" em Le Mans!

Desta vez, foi o Lola B06/43 Mazda da Kruse Schiller Motorsport, com Hideki Noda ao volante, que capotou nas proximidades da chicane Dunlop.

Acidente!

O espanhol Marc Gené sofre acidente nos treinos livres para as 24 Horas de Le Mans, com o Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, a mais de 200 km/h, no trecho Virages Porsche.

As imagens foram captadas pelas câmeras de segurança do circuito.