2017 IMSA, America's Tires 250 Laguna Seca, GT Daytona.

The GTD class winning Ferrari leads a GTD Audi and a Cadillac DPi at Turn 4 during the race.

As usual the GT Daytona cars were the largest part of the field entered for the IMSA WeatherTech Sport Car Championship race at Laguna Seca.  There were sixteen GTD cars with eight marques represented.   The fastest car in practice, the Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini Huracan, led the race early on but as a result of a first lap incident with a GTLM Corvette eventually had to pit to repair the damage.  Thereafter it was a close contest for the lead with various cars involved including the Porsches, one of the Acuras and the Turner Motorsports BMW.  Eventually, fuel consumption played a big part as a number of the leaders had to make a splash and dash.  Suddenly, Alexandro Balzan and Christina Nielsen inherited the lead in the Ferrari which they held to the end.  It was Ladies first and second as Katherine Legge shared the driving of the second placed Acura.

GTD car battle exiting the iconic Corkscrew.

One of the Acuras takes to the gravel under braking for turn ten as the WeatherTech Porsche speeds by.

GT Daytona Drivers

Top, Left - Ben Keating, Riley Motorsports Team AMG.
Top, Center - Katherine Legge, Michael Shank Racing.
Top, Right - Jeroen Bleekemolen, Riley Motorsports Team AMG.
Middle, Left - Oswaldo Negri Jnr, Michael Shank Racing.
Middle, Center - Christina Nielsen, Scuderia Corse.
Middle, Right - Jeff Segal, Michael Shank Racing.
Bottom, Left - Andrew Davis, Stevenson Motorsports.
Bottom, Center - Brian Sellers, Paul Miller Racing.
Bottom, Right - Patrick Long, Alegra Motorsports.

The WeatherTech girls pose with the WeatherTech drivers Cooper MacNeil and Gunnar Jeannette. 

It was good to see Scott Pruett in the pit lane. Scott of course has driven in Indy Car, Nascar and Sport Cars and now drives the Lexus GTD cars.

The GTD Results

The sixteen GT Daytona cars all finished between 18th and 33rd overall.

1st in class, Scuderia Corse, Alessandro Balzan/Christina Nielsen, Ferrari 488 GT3, 107 laps.

The winning Ferrari in the Rainey Curve during the race.

2nd in class, Michael Shank Racing, Andy Lally/Katherine Legge, Acura NSX GT3, 107 laps.

The Second placed Acura leading another during the race.

3rd in class, Park Place Motorsports, Patrick Lindsay/Jorg Bergmeister, Porsche 911 GT3 R, 107 laps.

The Park Place Motorsports Porsche exiting Turn Ten.

4th in class, CoreMotorsport, Colin Braun/Jonathan Bennett, Porsche GT3 R, 106 laps.

The Core Motorsport Porsche during qualifying at Turn Six. 

5th in class, Turner Motorsport, Jesse Krohn/Jens Klingmann, BMW M6 GT3, 106 laps.

The Turner Motorsports BMW cutting the apex at Turn Ten.

6th in class, Riley Motorsports WeatherTech Racing, Cooper MacNeil/Gunnar Jeannette, Porsche 911 GT3 R, 106 laps.

The WeatherTech Porsche exiting the Corkscrew.

7th in class, Paul Miller Racing, Bryan Sellers/Madison Snow, Lamborghini Huracan GT3, 106 laps.

The Paul Miller Lamborghini showing signs of its first lap accident.

8th in class, Riley Motorsports Team AMG, Jeroen Bleekemolen/Ben Keating, Mercedes AMG GT3, 106 laps.

Mercedes cutting the Corkscrew apex during the race.

9th in class, Change Racing,  Corey Lewis/Jeroen Mul, Lamborghini Huracan GT3, 106 laps.

Change Racing Lamborghini about to be lappeg by a LMGT Corvette.

10th in class, Michael Shank Racing, Jeff Segal/Oswaldo Negri, Acura NSX GT3, 106 laps.

Acura on the Fan Grid Walk.

11th in class, Stevenson Motorsports, Andrew Davis/Lawson Aschenbach, Audi R8 LM3 GT3, 106 laps.

Audi leads Porsche through the Corkscrew.

12th in class, Sun Energy1 Racing, Tristan Vautier/Kenny Habul, Mercedes AMG GT3, 106 laps.

Mercedes speeds down the Corkscrew in practice.

13th in class, 3GT Racing, Scott Pruett/Jack Hawksworth, Lexus RCF GT3, 106 laps.

The Scott Pruett Lexus.

14th in class, 3GT Racing, Sage Karam/Robert Alon, Lexus RCFGT3, 105 laps.

Lexus leading the winning Ferrari

15th in class, Lone Star Racing, Mike Skeem/Dan Knox, Mercedes AMG GT3, 105 laps.

Lone Star Racing Pit Stop.

16th in class, Alegra Motorsports, Patrick Long/Daniel Morad, Porsche 911 GT3 R, 47 laps.

The Patrick Long Porsche in practice at Turn Ten on Saturday.

For the GTLM cars at Laguna Seca, click here.

For the IMSA Prototype cars at Laguna Seca, click here.

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

For the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup, click here.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.

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.

ohn Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.

2017 Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix, America's Tire 250 - IMSA Prototypes

Ricky Taylor in the Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-VR leads the field on lap one through turn one at Laguna Seca.   All eight prototype entries including the Daytona Prototype international cars and the LM P2 cars can be seen in this photo.

The America's Tire 250 was the feature race at this year's Continental Monterey Grand Prix weekend.  It was a round of the 2017 IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship.  This blogpost features the eight prototype cars that battled for overall victory.  Pictures are from practice, qualifying, warm up and the race.   In qualifying Ricky Taylor was in scintillating form and broke the lap record on the way to pole.  He also led the race early on.  However, yellow flags and pit stop strategies and a last minute overtake meant that the surprise winner was the Visit Florida Racing Ligier JS P2 17 of Renger van der Zande and Marc Goossens.  This was the first win for an LM P2 car in IMSA this year.

Christian Fittipaldi tries to get around the outside of Ricky Taylor at turn two on lap one.  Ricky held his position ands quickly pulled out a lead.

The IMSA Prototype Drivers

Top Row, Left - Marc Goosens (Visit Florida Racing)

Top Row, Middle - Joao Barbosa (Mustang Sampling Racing)

Top Row, Right - Renger van der Zande (Visit Florida Racing)

Center Row, Left - Jordan Taylor (Konica Minolta Cadillac)

Center Row, Middle - Ricky Taylor (Konica Minolta Cadillac)

Center Row, Right - Scott Sharp (Tequila Patron ESM)

Bottom Row, Left - Eric Curran (Whelen Engineering Racing)

Bottom Row, Middle - Luis Felipe Darani (Tequila Patron ESM)

Bottom Row, Right - Christian Fittipaldi (Mustang Sampling Racing)

The Results

Here are the eight prototype class cars in the order they were classified at the finish.  The eight prototype cars filled the top eight positions overall.

1st - Visit Florida Racing - Marc Goosens/Renger van der Zande - Ligier JS P2 17 - 114 laps

The winning Visit Florida Ligier LM P2 car exits turn ten during Saturday practice.

2nd - Whelen Engineering Racing - Dane Cameron/Eric Curran - Cadillac DPi-VR - 114 laps

The Whelen Engineerng Racing Cadillac in the Corkscrew during the race.

3rd - Konica Minolta Cadillac - Ricky Taylor/Jordan Taylor - Cadillac DPi-VT - 114 laps

The Konica Minolta Cadillac in the Corkscrew during the race.

4th - JDC Miller Motorsports - Misha Goikhberg/Stephen Simpson - Oreca 07 - 114 laps

The JDC-Miller Motorsports Oreca 07 at the Corkscrew during the race.

5th - Mustang Sampling Racing - Christian Fittipaldi/Joao Barbosa - Cadillac DPi-VR - 114 laps

The Mustang Sampling Racing car entering turn six during qualifying.

6th - Tequila Patron ESM - Ryan Dalziel/Scott Sharp - Nissan Nismo DPi - 114 laps 

The No.2 Nissan during the Fan Grid Walk in the Laguna Seca Pit lane.

7th - PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports - Jose Gutierrez/Olivier Pla - Ligier JS P217 - 114 laps

The PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Ligier in the pits during the warm up.

8th - Tequila Patron ESM - Johannes van Overbeek/Luis Felipe Derani - Nissan Nismo DPi - 113 laps 

The No.22 Nissan at the Rainey Curve during the race.

More Pictures

The winning Ligier and the Whelan Cadillac starting to lap the GT Daytona cars into turn two.

The battle between the Whelen Cadillac and the Visit Florida Ligier at the Corkscrew.  Eventually the Visit Florida car overtook the Whelan car just before he end into the Corkscrew.

The Oreca leads a Nissan through the Corkscrew.

The Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac at the Corkscrew late in the race.

Race morning preparation on the Whelen Cadillac.

The Nissan pits garage on race morning.

The Oreca cockpit.

For photos of the IMSA prototypes at this year's 12 Hours of Sebring, click here.

For the Global Mazda MX-5 Challenge at Laguna Seca, click here.

For the Lamborghini Super Trofeos at Laguna Seca, click here.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.

The winning Ligier during Saturday's practice.