America's Tire 250 - Laguna Seca - GT Le Mans class - 2017

The two GTLM Corvettes about to lap the GTD Mercedes as they exit the Corkscrew during the race.

There was a lot to look forward to in the GTLM battle at Laguna Seca.  I had already enjoyed watching these cars battle at Sebring and Le Mans this year.  My two favourite teams are the Corvettes and the Fords. The Corvettes were leading the Championship coming into this round and Ford had won here last year; thus I was hoping they would do well.  However, in practice it was the BMW team who seemed to have the pace, even if Toni Vilander set an amazing lap in the Ferrari to gain pole.  Ford did manage second on the grid but the Corvettes were slow as were Porsche.

The lead BMW spun early on and was then left to recover from last place.  It looked like the Ferrari might gain victory but cautions and pit stop strategy meant that the BMW came back through the field to win. A great victory for Martin Tomzyk and John Edwards. The Magnussen/Garcia Corvette was not fast but eventually managed fourth after keeping out of trouble.   The second Corvette was not so lucky having been involved in an incident on lap one.  The Fords weren't really in contention by the end.

The winning GTLM BMW No.24 had a spin early on and then had to overtake all of the GTD cars such as this Audi.

The IMSA GTLM Drivers

Top Row, Left - Alexander Sims, BMW Team RLL.
Top Row, Center - Richard Westbrook, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing.
Top Row, Right - Oliver Gavin, Corvette Racing.
Middle Row, Left - Laurens Vanthoor, Porsche GT Team.
Middle Row, Center - Giancarlo Fisichella, Risi Competizione.
Middle Row, Right - Jan Magnussen, Corvette Racing.
Bottom Row, Left - Ryan Briscoe, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing.
Bottom Row, Center - Bill Auberlen, BMW Team RLL.
Bottom Row, Right - Toni Vilander, Risi Competizione.

The GTLM Results
The nine GTLM cars all finished, overall in order from ninth to seventeenth overall.

1st in classs, BMW Team RLL, Martin Tomczyk/John Edwards, BMW M6, 110 laps

The winning GT LM BMW seems almost frightened off the track by the prototype.

2nd in class, Risi Competizione, Giancarlo Fisichella/Toni Vilander, Ferrari 488 GTE, 110 laps

The sole Ferrari in the GTLM class exiting turn ten during Saturday's practice.

3rd in class, Porsche Motorsort, Dirk Werner/Patrick Pilet, Porsche 911 RSR, 110 laps

The lead Porsche 911 RSR cutting the apex at turn ten during Saturday's practice.

4th in class, Corvette Racing, Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia, Chevrolet Corvette C7R, 110 laps

The No.3 Chevrolet Corvette at turn ten during Saturday's practice.

5th in class, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing, Ryan Briscoe/Richard Westbrook, Ford GT, 110 laps

The No.67 Ford GT in turn six during qualifying.

6th in class, Ford Chip Gnassi Racing, Joey Hand/Dirk Mueller, Ford GT, 110 laps

Ford GT at turn ten during Saturday's practice.

7th in class, Porsche GT Team, Laurens Vanthoor/Gianmaria Bruni, Porsche 911 RSR, 109 laps

The No.912 Porsche entering turn six during qualifying.

8th in class, BMW Team RLL, Alexander Sims/Bill Auberlen, BMW M6, 108 laps

The No.25 BMW leads other GT cars through the Corkscrew.

9th in class, Corvette Racing, Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner, Chevrolet Corvette C7R, 107 laps

A pit stop for the No.4 Corvette.

For the IMSA Prototypes at Laguna Seca, click here.

For the Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars at Laguna Seca, click here.

For the Globa; Mazda MX-5 Cup at Laguna Seca, click here.

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