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 Le Mans 24 Hours - LM GTE Pro class

A Ford GT exits the Esses and heads down to Tertre Rouge just after dusk.

The LMGTE Pro class was undoubtedly the best battle of the 2017 Le Mans and was undecided until just before the end.   The lead changed many times between the various Ferrari, Ford, Aston Martin, Porsche and Chevrolet GT cars. Both Aston Martins led for a considerable distance but the other cars were never that far away. Chevrolet were also in the lead for a long time on Sunday afternoon but eventually Aston Martin came back to take the win on the last lap.  Second place also wasn’t decided until the final lap with Ford also overtaking the Corvette. The Balance Of Performance may be controversial at times but it certainly provides good racing.

GT Ferrari rounds the first corner as other GT cars exit the pits.

GT cars heading down from the Dunlop Bridge towards the Esses.

These LMGTE Pro cars are fast, clocking 300kph on the Mulsanne straight and averaging over 200kph for the lap.  Here are all the 13 cars that fought over the class:

1st in class, 17th overall – Aston Martin Racing – Aston Martin Vantage – Darren Turner, Jonathan Adam, Daniel Serra. No.97.  340 laps.

The LMGTE Pro winning car at dawn on Sunday at Tertre Rouge whilst in third place in class.

Winning Aston Martin

Aston Martin on Saturday afternoon at Tertre Rouge.

2^rd in class, 18^th overall – Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK – Ford GT – Andy Priaulx, Harry Tinknell, Luis Felipe Derani. No.67. 340 laps.

The lead Ford GT heading a LMP2 car through the Esses around dusk on Saturday evening.

3^rd in class, 19^th overall – Corvette Racing GM – Chevrolet Corvette C7.R – Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor. No.63. 340 laps.

The Corvette team were leading at the start of the last lap.  Here the lead Corvette is seen exiting the Esses.

Corvette at dawn rounding Tertre Rouge.

Corvette leading a Ferrari through the Esses on Saturday evening.

4^th in class, 20th overall – Porsche GT Team – Porsche 911 RSR – Richard Lietz, Frédéric Makowiecki, Patrick Pilet.  No.91. 339 laps.

Porsche at dusk leading LMP2 cars through the Esses.

Porsche 911 RSR in Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

The Porsche at dawn whilst in second place.

5^th in class, 21st overall – AF Corse – Ferrari 488 GTE – Davide Rigon, Sam Bird, Miguel Molina.  No.71. 339 laps.

The No.71 Ferrari passes the hospitality suite before the Dunlop chicane late on Saturday afternoon.

AF Corse Ferrari exiting the Esses on Saturday afternoon.

Two Ferraris heading a LMGTE Pro pack through the Esses after dusk.

6^th in class, 22nd overall – Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA – Ford GT – Joey Hand, Dirk Muller, Tony Kanaan. No.68. 339 laps.

The No.68 Ford leads a group of LMGTE Pro cars through the Esses.

The Tony Kanaan Ford rounding Tertre Rouge at dawn.

7^th in class, 23rd overall – Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA – Ford GT – Ryan Briscoe, Richard Westbrook, Scott Dixon. No.69.  337 laps.

The third of the Ford GTs in Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

8^th in class, 24th overall – Corvette Racing GM – Chevrolet Corvette C7.R – Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Marcel Fassler. No.64.  335 laps.

The Oliver Gavin Corvette entering the Dunlop chicane early on Saturday evening.

The second Corvette leading an LMP2 car through the Esses later on the Saturday evening.

Chevrolet Corvette rounds Tertre Rouge at dawn on Sunday.

9^th in class, 25th overall – Aston Martin Racing – Aston Martin Vantage – Nicki Thim, Marco Sorensen, Richie Stanaway. No.95.  334 laps.

The No.95 Aston Martin at the Ford Chicane on early Saturday evening.

The No.95 Aston Martin rounds Tertre Rouge just before dawn when in third place in class.

Aston Martin Vantage seen leading the class.  Here seen exiting the Esses.

10^th in class, 27^th overall – Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK – Ford GT – Stefan Mucke, Olivier Pla, Billy Johnson.  No.66. 332 laps.

The fourth of the Chip Ganassi Fords heads a couple of cars through the Esses on Saturday evening.

11^th in class, 46^th overall – AF Corse – Ferrari 488 GTE – James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi, Michele Rugolo. No.51. 312 laps.

The James Calado Ferrari at Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

The No.51 Ferrari chased by a LMP1 Toyota and a LMP2 car through the Esses just before dusk.

DNF – Porsche GT Team – Porsche 911 RSR – Michael Christensen, Kevin Estre, Dirk Werner. No.92. 179 laps.

This Porsche was one of only two cars not to finish in the class.Here it is exiting the Esses.

DNF – Risi Competizione – Ferrari 488 GTE – Toni Vilander, Giancarlo Fisichella, Pierre Kaffer. No.82. 72 laps.    

One of the first cars to retire was this Ferrari which included ex-F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella in its team.  Here it is at Tertre Rouge.

For action shots of the all of the LMP1 cars including the winning Porsche, clck here.

For dusk, dawn, night and day shots of the LMGTE Am cars, click here.

Action from the LMP2  class at Le Mans 2017 if you 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.

GT battle seen through the heat haze on the start finish straight.