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It takes fans on an interactive journey through 60 years of Porsche Motorsport history showcasing previously unreleased films, photo galleries and stories. Phase one of the three-stage Web Special highlights the legendary venues of Porsche’s racing history and brings the greatest moments of motorsport back to life.
Each week, new content is added, outlining why Porsche and motorsport are inseparably connected. In addition to historical film documentaries, interviews with drivers, engineers and former race directors allow a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes.
Stuttgart. Latest photos from free practice on the Silverstone Circuit, on which the first round of the World Endurance Championship WEC is contested on Sunday.
At the Weissach Motorsport Centre, preparations for the running of the new LMP1 sports prototype at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the sports car World Endurance Championship are progressing at high revs. For this feat the infrastructure was considerably expanded.
A new workshop building and an office complex have been completed. “The first rollout of our new LMP1 car is planned for mid-2013,”announced Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Research and Development, on Saturday on the occasion of the end of season “Night of Championscelebration”.
“The car will be run by our own works team based here at Weissach.” The LMP1 project was realised by a new department headed by Fritz Enzinger.
With his well-established organisational structure, Porsche’s Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen continues to be responsibilityfor all other motorsport programmes worldwide. The customer sport model 911 GT3 R celebrated 41 wins from 131 starts in a range of GT3 racing series worldwide. For the 2013 season Porsche offers teams an upgrade package which will position the GT3 R even better in the performance window as defined by the FIA.
In his speech, Hatz underlined the importance of GT racing for Porsche and pleaded for two different GT categories for works-supported professional sport and for customer sport:
“In factory sport the regulations must be based on technology while in customer racing a stronger alignment of the relative strength by Balance of Performance measures is legitimate.”
In addition to the promotion of four Porsche Juniors, one pilot from the international makes cups will enjoy comprehensive support for the 2013 season. Frenchman Jean-Karl Vernay (25) who won the Carrera Cup France at his first attempt last season receives funding to the value of 200,000 Euro towards his 2013 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup campaign. At a test session in Vallelunga, Vernay won over eight other top drivers from the Carrera Cups France, Asia, Japan, Scandinavia, Italy, Australia, Great Britain and from the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada. Vernay has already made a name for himself in international motor racing.
In 2005 he claimed the championship in the French feeder series Formula Renault Campus and went on to finish second in a Formula 3 single-seater at the Macau Grand Prix in 2009. In 2010 Vernay went to the USA and promptly clinched overall victory in the Indy Lights Series’ in his first season. Peugeot contracted the Frenchman as a test and reserve pilot for their LMP1 project in 2011. At the same time Vernay competed in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and was crowned LMP2 champion.
“The support from Porsche is a great opportunity for me,” says Vernay. “In the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup all drivers have to adjust to a new vehicle.
As a newcomer, this means I’ll have a good chance to be competitive right from the beginning.
The Supercup is the pinnacle of the Porsche one-brandcups and has a great reputation as a launching platform to enter professional GT sport.”
With its well-established works drivers, Porsche is relying on continuity.
All nine drivers still have a valid contract for the 2013 season or their contract was extended.For six of the nine drivers, the 24-hour race at Daytona on 26 January marks the start of the new season.
Joerg Bergmeister drives a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for The Racers Group. With Kevin Buckler’s squad, Bergmeister scored a sensational overall victory at Daytona in 2003 at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Marco Holzer competes for Alex Job Racing, Marc Lieb again joins forces with Brumos Racing and Richard Lietz drives for last year’s winner Magnus Racing
Patrick Long goes racing for Park Place Motorsports and Patrick Pilet competes for the NGT team.
For the Porsche JuniorsMichael Christensen and Klaus Bachler the race in Daytona marks the first time in their career that they contest a 24 hour race. Christensen receives support in his campaign from Christian Engelhart and Porsche Cup winner Nick Tandy for the Konrad Motorsport team with whom he contested the Carrera Cup Deutschland in 2012. Bachler is competing for Snow Racing.
SOURCE: Porsche Motorsport Porsche Press Database
Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board – Research and Development
Matthias Müller, President of the Executive Board
Michael Christensen (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Timo Bernhard, Richard Lietz, Patrick Pilet, Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas, Marco Holzer, Wolf Henzler, Porsche works drivers
Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
24h Le Mans
Alexandre Imperatori, Michael Meadows, Edoardo Piscopo, Johan Kristoffersson, Côme Ledogar, Jean-Karl Vernay, Kyle Marcelli, André Heimgartner, Ryo Hirakawa, International Scholarship, Vallelunga
Alexandre Imperatori, Michael Meadows, Edoardo Piscopo, Johan Kristoffersson, Côme Ledogar, Jean-Karl Vernay, Kyle Marcelli, André Heimgartner, Ryo Hirakawa (l. – r.), International Scholarship, Vallelunga
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2012
Klaus Bachler (A)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Podium LM GTE Am (l.-r.): Franck Rava, Anthony Pons, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo (IMSA Performance Matmut) Pedro Lamy, Jack Leconte, Patrick Bornhauser, Julien Canal (Larbre Competition) Niclas Jonsson, Michele Rugolo, Tracy Krohn (Krohn Racing)
Stuttgart. Less than four minutes were missing for Porsche to clinch its 99th class win at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut, Nicolas Armindo, Raymond Narac, Anthony Pons[slideshow]
With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the IMSA Performance Matmut team, Frenchman Nicolas Armindo, Raymond Narac and Anthony Pons had led the field just a few laps before the flag dropped on the 80th running of the long distance classic in the Sarthe. But in the final minutes, tyre damage robbed the 2011-spec 911 of all hopes for victory. Nevertheless, the joy over second place was huge for the French Porsche customer team.
IMSA Performance Matmut (l.-r.): Anthony Pons, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo
“For our team and partners, Le Mans is the most important race of the year,” said team owner Raymond Narac.
“To have finished second with such a great team effort is a success that we will all savour for a long time. Thank you also to Porsche for the unbelievable support.” Nicolas Armindo said, “We focused all our work on this race. Achieving class victory at the dress rehearsal in Spa was wonderful, but it’s nothing compared to the feeling of climbing the podium here in Le Mans.”
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut: Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo, Anthony Pons
In the GTE Pro class the race was over during the night for the two Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports and Felbermayr-Proton.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Spencer Pumpelly, Patrick Pilet, Seth Neiman (79) – Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Marco Holzer (80)
Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA), who shared the Flying Lizard 911 with his German works driver colleagues Joerg Bergmeister and Marco Holzer, slid on gravel, which another vehicle had just spread on the track in the first chicane, hit the stack of tyres and retired after 114 laps.
“I didn’t have a chance to bring the car safely back to the pits,” he said. It was not the first problem that the number 80 vehicle had to contend with in Le Mans. In the first race lap, a broken shock absorber cost several positions, and later tyre damage caused even more time loss. “The race wasn’t going well for us right from the start,” said Joerg Bergmeister.
“Still, we kept fighting. You never give up in Le Mans, a lot can happen here right to the end. It’s just a shame we couldn’t finish the race.”
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Marco Holzer
The unexpected early retirement of the Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the GTE Pro class came after 184 laps when Marc Lieb (Germany) came to a standstill on the infamous Hunaudières straight with gearbox damage.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Wolf Henzler
“I wanted to shift up but couldn’t get any gears in,” said Marc Lieb, who at the time was running in fourth place with his works driver colleagues Richard Lietz (Austria) and Wolf Henzler (Germany). The trio had won in Le Mans in 2010.
“It’s such a shame we couldn’t take home points, especially at this race. Up until our retirement we were running really well. We experienced a few hiccups along the way, but mostly things were good. A podium result would have been possible.”
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Wolf Henzler
In the GTE Am class, Porsche had another iron in the fire for 17 hours with last year’s 911 run by Felbermayr-Proton. Team owner Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti, class winners of the season-opening round in Sebring, were running a promising fourth in the race.
But after 222 laps, the Porsche Cup winner Gianluca Roda had to park the 911 trackside without any drive.
However, Porsche works driver, Patrick Pilet (France) and Americans Seth Neiman and Spencer Pumpelly secured fourth place with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports.
Taking up the race as pole-sitters in their class, they could defend their top position in the early phase of the race, only to be temporarily thrown out of the top ten after a journey into the gravel.
“First and foremost, thank you to all the teams and drivers for their superb effort,” said Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen. “Regardless of the result, we must analyse the race so that we can talk to the authorities of the WEC about a more balanced grading of our cars in the GTE Pro class for the second half of the season.
We will also immediately begin preparations for the next races with the teams, as the championship classification is still open. We look forward with optimism.”
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Round four of the World Endurance Championship is run on 26 August in Silverstone/Great Britain.
Result
GTE Am class
1. Bornhauser/Canal/Lamy (F/F/P), Chevrolet Corvette, 329 laps
2. Armindo/Narac/Pons (F/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 328
3. Krohn/Jonsson/Rugola (USA/S/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 323
4. Pilet/Neiman/Pumpelly (F/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 313
5. Belloc/Bourret/Gibon (F/F/F), Chevrolet Corvette, 309
8. Daniels/Palttala/Camathias (GB/SF/CH), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 290
This is the World Endurance Championship
Sports prototypes and GT vehicles contest the World Endurance Championship, for which double points are awarded in Le Mans. They are divided into four classes that start together but are classified separately:
LMGTE Pro class: This class is reserved for slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
LMGTE Am class: Like the LMGTE Pro, but the regulations stipulate that only last year’s cars are eligible and there must be no more than one professional driver per vehicle.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with around 440 hp and a 900 kilogram minimum weight.
SOURCE: Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Endurance Championship
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut: Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo, Anthony Pons
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut, Nicolas Armindo, Raymond Narac, Anthony Pons
Podium LM GTE Am (l.-r.): Franck Rava, Anthony Pons, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo (IMSA Performance Matmut) Pedro Lamy, Jack Leconte, Patrick Bornhauser, Julien Canal (Larbre Competition) Niclas Jonsson, Michele Rugolo, Tracy Krohn (Krohn Racing)
IMSA Performance Matmut (l.-r.): Anthony Pons, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo
On a damp track with dry patches, a complete Nordschleife rookie positioned himself at the front of the 24-strong field. Austria’s Philipp Eng, driving for the MRS GT-Racing squad, snatched pole position at just his fourth qualifying session with the 450 hp 911 GT3 Cup on the world’s most challenging circuit.
Eng lapped the 25.378 kilometre track combining the Grand Prix circuit and the legendary Nordschleife in 9:53.131 minutes.
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Philipp Eng (A) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
A mere 0.294 seconds shy of the pole-sitter, Nicki Thiim (Hermes Attempto Racing) posted the second quickest time.
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Nicki Thiim (DK) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
However, the Dane and winner of round three on the Lausitzring was relegated back to fifth starting position due to a collision at Sunday’s race in the Lausitz.
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Nicki Thiim (DK) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
Instead, Sean Edwards (Great Britain, Team Deutsche Post by tolimit), the third qualifier and two-time winner this season, takes up the four-lap race from the second grid spot.
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Sean Edwards (GB) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
The one-hour qualification session for the fifth race of the season run as support to the Nürburgring 24 hour race featured suspense from the first to the last minute as well as swaps at the top of the time sheets.
At first Philipp Eng was sixth but improved from lap to lap until in the dying minutes of the qualifying he popped up at the head of the list – and stayed there although everyone expected him to be ousted by a seasoned campaigner.
Eng is a Carrera Cup rookie with just one guest appearance at the 2011 finale to his credit. The 22-year-old did his mandatory training on the Nordschleife only two days ago at the wheel of his team boss Karsten Molitor’s Porsche 911 GT3. Yesterday’s free practice marked the first outing in a race car on this difficult circuit for the Austrian.
His namesake, Philipp Frommenwiler, is another unfamiliar name in the fiercely-contested one-make race series. Driving for Attempto Racing, the Swiss racer first contested the Carrera Cup in 2011 and concluded his first season as the best newcomer. Because of Nicki Thiim’s penalty, the 22-year-old takes up tomorrow’s race at 11.35 hours from the third grid spot.
Although last year’s Nürburgring winner, René Rast (Germany, Team Deutsche Post by tolimit), managed to secure the fifth fastest qualifying time despite scraping the barrier, he was also bumped down the grid by five positions due to the Lausitzring collision.
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 René Rast (D) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Jaap van Lagen (NL) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
Sharing the third grid row are Kévin Estre and Michael Ammermüller (Germany, SWITCH IT Lechner Racing).
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Kévin Estre (F) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
The Frenchman driving for Hermes Attempto Racing currently leads the rookie classification, but he already has one season of experience under his belt. At the end of the 2011 season, Estre took home the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title.
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Michael Ammermüller (D) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
Although the ex-Formula 1 test driver Michael Ammermüller is new to the Carrera Cup, he is not eligible to campaign for rookie honours, as the Bavarian is already 26-years-old.
Porsche-Junior Klaus Bachler made a good showing on the slippery surface in the Eifel after his previous difficulties at the Lausitzring race. At the wheel of the yellow Deutsche Post by tolimit 911, the 20-year-old Austrian takes up the highlight race from eleventh in front of huge crowds lining the Nordschleife.
The second Porsche-Junior, Michael Christensen (Denmark, Konrad Motorsport), was just 16th in qualifying after his sensational third place in the Lausitz.
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The Nordschleife race is aired live by Sport1 tomorrow from 11.35 to 12.35 hrs. Also on the official Porsche website (www.porsche.com), the race is broadcast live exclusively and in high quality – with editorial reports before the actual live-streaming, live-timing and commentary in Germany and English.
The broadcast begins at 11.10 hours. On May 21st, the Monday after the race weekend, news station N24 televises the 30-minute “Porsche Carrera Cup Magazin” at 18.30 hours. Sport1 broadcasts Carrera Cup highlights on Saturday, 26 May, from 17.45 to 18.15 hours.
Philipp Eng (pole-sitter):
“I’m actually totally surprised and I can hardly believe it. I’ve only driven 15 laps on the Nordschleife in a road-legal 911 and yesterday was my very first attempt with a Cup car. My vehicle ran superbly. And I very probably had a bit of luck on my side. But when that happens to you on the Nordschleife then it’s something quite extraordinary.”
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Philipp Eng (A) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
Sean Edwards (second in qualifying):
“That was a crazy session. At the beginning everything ran well, but later, on each lap, you had to overtake a couple of Clios which were practicing at the same time. I didn’t manage to get a clear lap where there wasn’t a yellow flag out. Still, I’m totally happy with second on the grid.”
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Sean Edwards (GB) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
Philipp Frommenwiler (third in qualifying):
“My qualifying was not so bad. When I take a look at the gap to the top time I think it could have been me on pole position. But I’m actually quite pleased not to start as the leader. This way I can trail along behind at first and that’s not a bad thing.”
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2012 Philipp Frommenwiler (S) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 03 - 24h Nürburgring 2012
Klaus Bachler (Porsche-Junior, eleventh qualifier):
“I’m very satisfied with my result. This was my first time on the wet Nordschleife. And it’s really hard because the circuit has all sorts of tarmac surfaces and every corner has a different level of grip. I felt my way step by step, but unfortunately I had to stop in the final lap because the circuit was too dry to turn a quick time with wet tyres.”
Michael Christensen (16th in qualifying):
“Whew, that was an extremely tough qualifying session, but it was certainly a good experience. I couldn’t get the most out of my new tyres when it became drier towards the end. I made the mistake of pushing too hard on the Grand Prix circuit during the warm-up. When I reached the Nordschleife the wet tyres were much too hot for the dry passages.”
Qualifying result
1. Philipp Eng (A), MRS GT-Racing, 9:53.131 minutes
2. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, +2.307 seconds
3. Philipp Frommenwiler (CH), Attempto Racing, + 2.455
4. Jaap van Lagen (NL), FE-Racing by Land-Motorsport, + 3.745
5. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 4.104
6. Michael Ammermüller (D), SWITCH IT Lechner Racing, + 4.585
7. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 0.294*
8. Norbert Siedler (A), Konrad Motorsport, + 6.491
9. Clemens Schmid (A), SWITCH IT Lechner Racing, + 6.491
10. René Rast (D), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 2.634*
* set back 5 grid positions
Amateurs
1. Peter Scharmach (NZ), GT3 Cup Middle East, + 14.336
2. Hoevert Vos (NL), Land-Motorsport, + 17.716
3. Pascal Bour (F), BG Racing, +25.630
Stuttgart. Twenty years of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: The anniversary season of the world’s fastest international one-make race series takes off with a double-header round on 21 and 22 April on the Bahrain International Circuit.
Heading into the season as title favourite is reigning champion René Rast from Germany with the 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Lechner Racing. Rast is looking forward to returning to the desert nation. “The last time I competed in Bahrain I won both races. I’ll be doing everything within my power to repeat that result this year,” says the Supercup champion of 2010 and 2011.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
As the flagship series of the 19 Porsche one-make championships worldwide, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup boasts a healthy grid line-up again this season. “
We have a balanced field and we’re also looking forward to welcoming some new teams into the Supercup family,”
says Jonas Krauss, Head of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at Porsche Motorsport.
“Onboard are some eager young newcomers like Jeroen Mul coming from Formula 3, Renger van der Zande who contested the DTM in 2011, and ex-Formula 1 test driver Michael Ammermüller. This underlines once more just how attractive the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is as a spring board for a successful GT career or as a challenge for seasoned professionals.”
In Kévin Estre, the Supercup rookies have a shining example.
Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011
The Frenchman turned heads last year with his strong performances, not only claiming the Rookie of the Year title but also celebrating his first Supercup victory in Monza.
Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011
Now he is back as one of the hot favourites at the wheel of his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which is based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS sports car.
Joining Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing) to throw a spanner in René Rast’s plans for a hat-trick are Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing), Sean Edwards from Great Britain (Konrad Motorsport) as well as the VERVA Racing pilot Kuba Giermaziak.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011
Last year, the Pole dominated in Budapest, becoming the first eastern European winner in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and went on to claim victory from the Spa-Francorchamps round. Another name on the list of title aspirants is Germany’s Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport), winner of the 2011 season-opener in Istanbul.
Christian Engelhart (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2011
Denmark’s Nicki Thiim (Hermes Attempto Racing) is also a force to be reckoned with. The son of former DTM champion Kurt Thiim attracted attention last year with his strong performance in the German Carrera Cup.
Also making the switch from Germany’s most popular race series is the new Supercup team FÖRCH Racing.
The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers that are fielded in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup come off the assembly line in Porsche’s Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant and receive the final touches in the motorsport department at Weissach. All vehicles are technically identical. An important new feature of the 2012-spec is a 100-litre FT3 safety fuel tank.
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“The competition in the series has rarely been this high,” states Jonas Krauss at the start of the anniversary season. And he fully expects the fight for the championship to be as exciting as it was last year: Heading to the final round in 2011, six competitors still had the chance to claim the title.
The season-opening race in Bahrain is broadcast live by TV stations Eurosport and Sky – race 1 on 21 April at 11.20 hrs (Sky) and 11.30 hrs (Eurosport 2), race 2 on 22 April at 11.00 hrs (Sky and Eurosport 2). Eurosport also televises highlights at midnight on Sunday in its “Motorsport Weekend Magazin” programme.
Porsche is commemorating both 60 years of racing at Le Mans and its 2014 return to the storied endurance race with a series of videos.
Porsche will make its return to the LMP1 class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014. To celebrate, it has released another teaser video that highlights the brand’s history at the famous race from the early years.
Porsche has more wins at Le Mans than any other manufacturer, including Audi. The company has 16 overall victories, including seven in a row from 1981 to 1987. Scores of famous racers have sat in the driver’s seat, including Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell, Hurley Haywood and Hans-Joachim Stuck.
When the announcement of Porsche’s return came last summer, Penske Racing made it known that it would love to back a Porsche team at Le Mans. Roger Penske said his organization wanted to follow up on its success with the Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 in the American Le Mans Series, though no deal has been made.
The company won’t be back until 2014, which means that Porsche still has some hurdles to jump, such as finding a pilot or two and, well, building a car.
The world’s oldest endurance race for sports cars, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has tested the abilities of both drivers and manufacturers since 1923. German automaker Porsche has set numerous records and claimed 16 total victories since the inception of this monumental race, more than any other entrant. Porsche presents us with this compilation of hand-chosen clips from the early days of Le Mans, highlighting the car manufacturer’s achievements in the days preceding its era of dominance with the Porsche 936, 935, and 917 between 1970 and 1980. The promotions are in anticipation of Porsche’s triumphant return in 2014 to the circuit.
Porsche owned large swathes of the 1970s at Le Mans, with five overall victories. Starting with the 917 at the dawn of the decade – and leading to the 936 and 935 – legendary drivers paved the way for complete dominance by Porsche in the 1980s. The manufacturer – the most successful in the history of the gruelling endurance race – is now set to return to Le Mans in 2014 with an LMP1 sports prototype.
Building on the great successes of the 1970s, Porsche drivers swept all before them in the following decade, with an incredible seven overall victories throughout the 80s. With the Jacky Ickx/Derek Bell team winning in the 936 in 1981, and then leading in an incredible Porsche 1-2-3 win the following year in the newly developed 956, this was a legendary era for the manufacturer. Enjoy the greatest moments here.
365 km/h top speed. And top performances. In the ’90s, the 24 Hours of Le Mans are again dominated by Porsche Motorsport. New race cars. New drivers. And now, a new show.
A glorious past. And now, a mission: In 2014, Porsche Motorsport will return to Le Mans. With a LMP1 prototype and the determination to add another chapter to this success story.
We’ll definitely be watching. The company is setting up its YouTube channel for a running series of these teaser videos, so stay tuned.
“Motorsport was always an essential part of the Porsche brand,” emphasises Matthias Müller, President of the Executive Board at Porsche AG. “So for us it was only a matter of time before we returned as a factory to the top league of racing. Porsche’s successes in Le Mans are unrivalled. We want to follow up on this with the 17th outright victory.”
Matthias Müller, President of the Executive Board at Porsche AG
With the RS Spyder sports prototype that was run with great success from 2006 to 2008 by the factory-backed Penske Racing team in the USA and to 2010 by several customer teams worldwide, Porsche has set the benchmark recently in the LMP2 category.
“With the RS Spyder we proved that our motorsport engineers in Weissach are at the forefront,” says Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG. “For instance, we were the first to run a high-revving race engine with direct fuel injection, DFI, setting new standards in performance and efficiency. Recently, with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, we adopted a completely new drive technology for racing purposes and achieved a considerable reduction in consumption.”
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport, is already prepared for one of the most challenging development programmes in the company’s history.
“We’re looking forward to the task of developing new technologies and to continue on with the success of the Porsche RS Spyder. After the conclusion of our works-supported sports prototype programme in the American Le Mans Series we have kept up with the latest technological advances. Now we will begin with detailed research in order to evaluate the various concept alternatives for our new car. These obviously depend on how the regulations for the year 2014 look in detail. In principle, these regulations are interesting for us because the integration of our hybrid technology in the vehicle concept is one possible option.”
Held every year since 1923, the legendary 24-hour race at Le Mans draws an annual crowd of more than 200,000 spectators to the French region of La Sarthe.
Around the world, this long-distance motor racing classic is viewed as one of the greatest challenges for man and machine. For Porsche, Le Mans is not only the place of famous victories and the ultimate proving ground. It is also their spiritual home.
Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood claimed the first overall victory for Porsche in 1970 with the legendary 917 short-tail. The 16th and by now last overall win was secured by Laurent Aiello, Stéphane Ortelli and Allan McNish in 1998 with the 911 GT1. In the years 2008 and 2009, the Porsche RS Spyder sports prototype won the title in the LMP2 category.
16 overall victories. Countless records. That’s Porsche Motorsport in Le Mans. For more than 60 years: the fastest race cars. The toughest drivers. And now: the best scenes.
Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides information on Porsche Motorsport around the world.
French GT Championship: Beltoise and Pasquali are the champions
Pro-GT by Almeras: Laurent Pasquali, Anthony Beltoise
French GT-Championship
Anthony Beltoise and Laurent Pasquali brought their campaign to a successful end with their fifth win of the season at the 13th of 14 races during the final meeting in Le Castellet (29/30 October).
Pro-GT by Almeras: Laurent Pasquali, Anthony Beltoise
French GT-Championship
With this, the pair secured the French GT Championship title with the Porsche 911 GT3 R of the proven Pro-GT by Almeras squad.
Pro-GT by Almeras
French GT-Championship
At the last race of the year, the freshly-crowned champions clinched second. Patrick Bornhauser and Laurent Groppi wrapped up the season as third overall in a Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by Larbre Compétition.
Larbre Compétition: Patrick Bornhauser, Laurent Groppi
French GT-Championship
Spanish GT Championship: Strong finish earns title for Manuel Giao
Drivex-Team: Manuel Giao, Miguel Angel de Castro
Spanish GT-Championship
Victory and second place at the final round of the Spanish GT Championship on the Circuit de Cataluña near Barcelona (29/30 October) was enough for Portugal’s Manuel Giao to take out the title. Giao shared the cockpit of the 911 GT3 RSR run by the Drivex team (Madrid) with Spaniard Miguel Angel de Castro. Two wins at the penultimate race weekend in Jerez catapulted Giao (15/16 October) to the top of the points’ table.
British GT Championship: Trackspeed defends team championship
After Gregor Fisken and Tim Bridgman’s win in June with the Porsche 911 GT3 R of Trackspeed in Brands Hatch, fourth place at the final round of the British GT Championship in Silverstone (8 October) was enough for their British squad to retain the team title. The best Porsche pilot in the 2011 drivers’ classification is last year’s champion and owner of the Trackspeed team, David Ashburn, in third place.
US GT Championships: Porsche pilots net two titles
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Brumos Racing:
(l.-r.) Hurley Haywood, Leh Keen, Andrew Davis, Dan Davis.
Grand-Am GT, Lexington/Ohio
Andrew Davis and Leh Keen won the Grand-Am GT Championship with a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the famed Brumos Racing team.
And another perfect result in the American World Challenge:
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Patrick Long
World Challenge, Laguna Seca
Works driver Patrick Long won the GT Championship title driving TruSpeed’s 911 GT3 Cup, which handed the squad the team championship.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Patrick Long
World Challenge, Laguna Seca
Porsche took home the manufacturers’ title.
Belcar Endurance Championship: Goossens and Soulet celebrate title with win at final
After 72 gripping laps, Marc Goossens and Maxime Soulet came out on top by a nail-biting five hundredths of a second over a Ferrari at the last race of the Belcar Endurance Championship in Spa (23 October). The Belgians had already taken the championship title early with a victory in Prospeed Competition’s Porsche 911 GT3 R on the first weekend in October at the penultimate round in Zolder.
International GT Open: Gianluca Roda crowned vice-champion
Autorlando Sport: G. L. Roda
International GT Open
Clinching vice-championship honours in the GTS class for GT3 race vehicles, the 2011 season ended successfully for Gianluca Roda.
Autorlando Sport: G. L. Roda, P. Ruberti
International GT Open
At the wheel of Autorlando Sport’s Porsche 911 GT3 R, Roda had won both races at the penultimate weekend in Monza.
P2, Autorlando Sport: (l.-r.) P. Ruberti, G. L. Roda
International GT Open
One point shy of the leader in second, he travelled to the finale on the Circuit de Cataluña near Barcelona (29/30 October), but his retirement from the second race after finishing the first in fourth robbed him of his title chance. Autorlando Sport ranks second in the team championship.
Japanese Super GT: Porsche 911 GT3 R on third
P3, Team Hankook KTR: (l. – r.)Masami Kageyama, Keiichi Suzuki, Tomonodu Fujii
Japan Super GT
Tomonodu Fujii and Masami Kageyama secured second place from the eighth and final event on the Twin Ring Motegi (15/16 October).
Team Hankook KTR: Masami Kageyama, Tomonodu Fujii
Japan Super GT
The pair took up the race from the pit lane after their Hankook KTR Porsche 911 GT3 R underwent repairs shortly before the start.
Team Hankook KTR: Masami Kageyama, Tomonodu Fujii
Japan Super GT
The squad and its drivers brought their first year of competition to a successful conclusion with an impressive third place in the championship.
Carrera Cup Asia: Keita Sawa champion after heart-stopping finale
LKM Racing: Keita Sawa
Carrera Cup Asia
Definitely not for the faint-hearted: At the twelfth and final race on the Shanghai International Circuit (23 September), 26-year-old Keita Sawa from Japan snatched third place and the championship title in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of LKM Racing with a difference of just one-point over Rodolfo Avila (Team Jebsen) from Macao.
R. Avila, A. Imperatori, K. Sawa
Carrera Cup Asia
Third overall in the fiercely-competitive Cup went to Alexandre Imperatori.
Carrera Cup Deutschland: Nick Tandy champion at second attempt
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
With three wins, four other podium results, a fifth place and just one retirement, last year’s runner-up Nick Tandy from Great Britain (26) claimed the championship title in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup run by Konrad Motorsport.
Team: Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2011
Tandy is the first British driver to take home the title in the 22-year history of the German Carrera Cup.
René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB), Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Vice-championship honours went to his compatriot Sean Edwards, whose performance contributed to his Deutsche Post by tolimit crew securing the team championship.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Carrera Cup France
Carrera Cup France: Ten straight wins earn Kévin Estre the championship title
AS Events: Kévin Estre
Carrera Cup France
From the guest appearance of the Carrera Cup France in Nogaro in the southwest of France late April to the final race in Le Castellet at the end of October (29 October), Kévin Estre pocketed ten consecutive wins in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by AS Events.
AS Events: Kévin Estre
Carrera Cup France
AS Events: Kévin Estre
Carrera Cup France
After this string of successes, the 23-year-old new champion from Lyon ranks 113 points ahead of second-placed Sylvain Noël. A total of twelve races made up the 2011 calendar.
Carrera Cup Great Britain: James Sutton reclaims the title
SAS/Redline: James Sutton
Carrera Cup Great Britain
After 19 races and second place at the final round in Silverstone (16 October), James Sutton (26) once again walked away with the championship.
The SAS/Redline pilot, who was also the champion of the Carrera Cup Great Britain in 2007, wrapped up a thrilling year with a seven-point lead over his teammate Michael Meadows, who was forced to pit with a faulty tyre during the decisive final round. SAS/Redline won the team title, Nick Tandy won the last race.
Carrera Cup Italia: Alessandro Balzan defends his title
EbimotorsAlessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
At the penultimate race weekend in Vallelunga (16/18 September), Ebimotors pilot Alessandro Balzan picked up an early title win.
EbimotorsAlessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
Still, with the second straight championship title under his belt, this didn’t prevent the 31-year-old from keeping up the pressure.
EbimotorsAlessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
Balzan pocketed victory number seven and eight at the final meeting in Monza (15/16 October). Marco Mapelli was crowned vice-champion.
Ebimotors: Alessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
Carrera Cup Japan
Carrera Cup Japan: Hideto Yasuoka wins all races to become champion
Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka
Carrera Cup Japan
Eleven wins from eleven races: With this immaculate balance, 28-year-old Hideto Yasuoka concluded the season on the Twin Ring Motegi (23 October) as the undisputed champion.
P1, Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka (m.)
Carrera Cup Japan
Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka
Carrera Cup Japan
Runner-up behind the Garmin-Porsche pilot, who took up the final round as poleman, was Akira Fujita. Fujita snatched the vice-championship trophy from Kazuyoshi Takamizawa in a last ditch battle at the final race.
Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka
Carrera Cup Japan
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East: Abdulaziz Al Faisal leads after first race
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East
Abdulaziz Al Faisal (m.)
An Austrian kicked off the new season of the GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East with a win on the Dubai Autodrome on the first weekend in November: Clemens Schmid won race one from pole position.
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East
The two-time champion, Prince Abdulaziz al Faisal, came second, but nailed the points’ lead of the drivers’ classification after winning race two of the weekend. Next meeting: at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi (11/13 November).
Race notes:
Driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR for the Turin-based Victor Racing team, Victor and Giovanni Coggiola win the GT2 title of the Italian GT Championship after seven race weekends.
Victory for Lucas Luhr and Arno Klasen in Manthey Racing’s 911 GT3 R at round nine of the Nuerburgring Long Distance Championship (15 October).
With three wins from a total of ten races, Porsche draws level with Audi on the list of the very best. No other race car has turned the fastest race lap more than the 911 with four lap records.
The fight for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup title is decided at the double-header finale on the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi as part of the Formula 1 weekend (12/13 November). Aside from points’ leader René Rast, title contenders are Kuba Giermaziak, Norbert Siedler and three other drivers.
Things go down to the wire as well in the Carrera Cup Australia, where New Zealander Craig Baird travels to the final in Sydney (2/4 December) holding a healthy points’ lead after three wins in Surfers Paradise (22/23 October) ahead of his second-placed compatriot Daniel Gaunt.
Stuttgart.Derek Bell, one of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG’s most successful works drivers, will celebrate his 70th birthday on 31 October 2011.
Derek Bell (GB), five times winner at Le Mans.
He won two World Sportscar Championship titles in 1985-86, the 24 Hours of Daytona three times in 1986-87 and 1989 and Le Mans five times in 1975, 1981, 1982, 1986 and 1987, mostly teamed with Jacky Ickx in one of the Porsche 936 and Porsche 956/Porsche 962 models. Ickx/Bell is nowadays considered as one of the most famous pairings in motorsport history.
Born in Pinner, Middlesex, Great Britain in 1941, Bell is considered to be one of the most versatile and popular racing drivers of his time.
VIDEO: Derek Bell in car Porsche 956 at Nordschleife. Derek Bell drives and describes a lap in a Porsche 956 around the old Nurburgring
Matthias Müller, Porsche AG’s Chairman of the Board of Management has this to say about the birthday boy:
Derek Bell in Monza, 1983
“Derek Bell made motorsport history with Porsche. Whether it was in a 917, 936 or 956 – he was always one of the fastest and above all most reliable drivers. Derek Bell won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times for Porsche. He won the world championship twice. For that we owe him our gratitude and great respect.” ~ Matthias Müller, Porsche AG’s Chairman of the Board of Management
Derek Bell began his racing career with Lotus in 1964. In Formula 1 he then took his place on the starting grid for Ferrari in 1969. In the 1971 season he drove the Porsche 917 and 908/03 racing cars for the Porsche-Gulf team, forming a successful driver duo with Jo Siffert.
Porsche 917 KH Coupé in Spa, 1971, Drivers: Jo Siffert and Derek Bell
This was followed by appearances in the Porsche 934 and 935 in 1976 and 1977 before Derek Bell took his place on the Le Mans starting grid as a works driver in the 924 Carrera GT. In 1981, together with Jacky Ickx in the Porsche 936/81 Spyder, he won the first of his total of four Le Mans overall victories in a Porsche.
1982 saw the beginning of the Group C era with the Porsche 956 during which time Bell made his mark as one of the most successful endurance drivers of all time.
Derek Bell in Brands Hatch, 1971
VIDEO: Derek Bell in the Porsche 956 gives a running commentary at Brands Hatch.
Together with drivers such as Jacky Ickx, Stefan Bellof and Hans-Joachim-Stuck, he not merely won numerous overall victories in the Types 956 and 962 but also the World Sportscar Championship in 1985 and 1986.
Derek Bell remains in close contact with Porsche to this very day, constantly undertaking ambassadorial tasks for the Stuttgart-based sportscar manufacturer, such as for example at the Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring or at this year’s Corso to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the car.
Porsche 956 in Le Mans, 1983, Drivers: Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell
Derek Bell, driver of the #17 Rothmans Racing Porsche 962C celebrates with champagne after winning the FIA World Sportscar Championship 24 Hours of Le Mans on 14th June 1988 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Getty Images)
Photos: Haynes - For further information, visit www.haynes.co.uk.
There’s no question that Derek Bell also remained faithful to the Porsche brand off the race track:
To this very day he can be seen on Britain’s roads driving a 1981 vintage Porsche 924 Carrera GTS.
Derek Bell’s GTS, a special one in that it has a factory fitted road interior with carpets and road seats, one of only 2 done like that.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
“Contesting the Porsche Makes Cup was the best decision I ever made”
Nick Tandy (GB), Helmut Greiner – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Stuttgart. Nick Tandy is the new champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. In an exciting finale, third place was enough for the Konrad Motorsport driver from Great Britain to beat his toughest rival of the season, Sean Edwards (Deutsche Post by tolimit), to the trophy.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2011
Winning the title of Germany’s fastest one-make series is all the more impressive considering the extraordinary level of competition amongst the contenders.
“A huge dream has come true for me,” said the new champion. “To contest the Porsche brand trophy series is the best decision I ever made. I was never this successful before in racing.”
In the 22-year history of the championship, this marks only the second time that a non-German has won – and the first for a British citizen.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2011
For 26-year-old Tandy, his title win in Hockenheim is quietly satisfying. It was here last year at the finale in the Motodrom that an accident in the first race lap shunted him out of contention for the championship.
Despite a brilliant debut season with five victories from nine rounds, the shooting star of 2010 had to settle for vice-championship honours, whilst Nicolas Armindo (France, Hermes Attempto Racing) took home the title. And in the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as well, René Rast came out on top with Tandy again finishing as runner-up.
Tandy took off into the new season as the favourite – and promptly fulfilled all expectations with victory at round one.
“I drove away from the race in Hockenheim and knew that I would become champion this year,” he admits. “This might sound arrogant, but I was simply sure that I was strong enough.”
What he faced, however, was a roller-coaster ride. At round two in Zandvoort everything was turned upside down. Tandy rolled his 911 in free practice and also received a penalty for driving too fast under yellow. The high-flyer from the previous year had to take up the race from the back of the field – to drive, as he says himself,
“the race of my life”.
On a circuit that is not known for its overtaking opportunities, the Briton passed one rival after another. After the flag, an ecstatic Tandy climbed the podium in third.
“My car ran perfectly and I drove a faultless race,” he said. “It was crazy overtaking virtually all the competitors. In this case, third place felt much better than some of my victories.”
The British specialist car magazine Autosport wrote as a headline:
“Is this the new DTM star?”
Jaap van Lagen won the Spielberg race in torrential rain, with Tandy extending his lead with second place. He finished fourth on the Lausitzring, but remained at the top of the points’ table.
“The championship has become much tougher compared to last year,” he declared.
“The reason for this is that the level of performance has greatly increased. Moreover, in 2010 I learned that five wins in a season don’t automatically make you champion.”
Then comes the low point. As points’ leader, Tandy travels to the season highlight in the Eifel, where the Carrera World Cup is contested on a combination of the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife.
Over motivated, Tandy crashes after ten minutes, retires and slides down the ranks to sit third overall. Sean Edwards moves to the top of the table.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
With a poorly set-up 911, he finds it almost impossible to stay on the track on the rained-out Norisring and wades his way to fifth.
Is Tandy’s star fading?
Edwards, in the meantime, celebrates his first Carrera Cup win as the ‘rainman’.
At the second race in the Eifel, this time on the Grand Prix course, the table turns. While in the lead, Edwards’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup suffers a puncture in the final lap.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera World Cup – Nürburgring 2011
Tandy, trailing him like a shadow, inherits victory and takes his place back at the top of the points.
“I’ve had my share of bad luck this season,” he says almost defiantly. “Now lady luck has returned.”
With an immaculate drive to victory at the penultimate race in Oschersleben, the Briton further extends his lead. In heavy rain, his rival Edwards finishes fifth. Nick Tandy arrives at the finale with a twelve-point advantage, he posts the quickest time in both free practices – throwing down the gauntlet to his fellow compatriot. He clinches pole position and with third place secures the long-awaited championship title.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 07 Nürburgring 2011
Fundamentally, the 2011 season is a mirror image of the new champion’s career, which didn’t take the usual route and is strongly influenced by British racing.
“I’m not your normal kart kid,” he says.
Nick Tandy (GB)
With his twin brother Joe, he honed his reflexes in the so-called ministocks – a Mini Cooper fitted with a type of bullbar – on small ovals.
“It was just huge fun,” reminisces Tandy. “But after four years we were asked to leave the series, we were getting a little too wild.”
Tandy then wins the competition for a single-seater class and enters the British Formula Ford Championship, which enjoys a cult status in the UK.
In 2007, Tandy wins the world final of the series, gets a cockpit in the national Formula 3 and achieves a raft of successes – until a blow of fate hits him hard.
In May 2009, his brother, who also competes in the Formula 3 team, dies in a traffic accident. Tandy’s career seems to stall.
Joe Tandy, 1983-2009
Perhaps the exceptional talent would have sunk into oblivion if it weren’t for Franz Konrad. The long-standing team boss of the successful Porsche racing squad is known as a talent scout.
In September 2009, he opens the way for the Briton to contest a Carrera Cup race. Tandy comes to Dijon with experience as a guest starter in the British Cup, qualifies in second in the rain and finishes second behind Jeroen Bleekemolen who was driving for the Konrad team in the Supercup.
“I could have won then,” says Tandy. “But obviously I didn’t want to go for Jeroen.”
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2011
His gratitude to Franz Konrad is as real as the man himself.
“Without Franz I would be off the radar today and I would be earning my money in my profession in automotive glass and with some second job in motorsport. I’m extremely thankful to him.”
Tandy only stopped work as an automotive glass specialist in 2011. Last year when he wasn’t racing he still worked in his profession. And because he knows how, he helps his team when a windscreen needs changing.
Nick Tandy on…
… the competitiveness in the Carrera Cup Deutschland:
“Alongside the Supercup, the Carrera Cup is definitely the best and most popular national Porsche Cup. This year the competition was incredibly tough. Perhaps we were too good last year as a team. Compared to that, we seemed somehow clueless this year when things didn’t always run perfectly. But there were six different winners from the first six races in the Carrera Cup this season and that says volumes about the level of competition.”
… the accident at the Porsche World Cup on the Nürburgring:
“The low point of my year. My first thought when I stood beside my stranded car in the forest was ‘what a stupid idea to come to the Nürburgring’. Then I berated myself: What an idiot! The accident cost me the points’ lead in the Carrera Cup and the Supercup. That meant a lot of prize money went down the drain, and we really needed it because our budget for the season was really tight. Financially, we just made it from weekend to weekend.”
…his rival from last year Nicolas Armindo:
“I was mostly affected by how much bad luck Nicolas experienced as reigning champion this season. I tried to imagine how I would feel if it had happened to me – a horrible thought!”
… his dreams:
“I’m convinced that the bosses in the series above the Carrera Cup and Supercup of the Porsche one-make series are watching and I’m sure that they know I’ve done a great job here. Perhaps someone will notice me. My big dream would be to drive NASCAR. Even as a small boy I watched TV and dreamed of oval racing in the USA.”
… his long-time partner Brittany McKenzie:
“I’d be nothing without Brittany. We’ve known each other since I was seven and we’ve been together for almost six years. Without her I’d probably not make it to the circuits, I’d not catch my planes and I’d be sleeping in a truck rather than a hotel. Brittany organises almost all my motorsport life.”
… his basic principle in competition:
“I love a challenge and that also crosses over into my hobbies. I love to play darts or golf and I play both particularly well when it’s a competition and I have to beat an opponent. Hobbies or sports without any real competition is not for me. I’m ambitious. I’d be happy to manage a round of golf in 82.”
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Nick Tandy claims championship title, Sean Edwards wins finale
René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB), Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Stuttgart. It was a thriller for the championship title that couldn’t have been more gripping. In the end, third place was enough for Nick Tandy to win the prestigious trophy in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
This marks the greatest motorsport success in the career of the 26-year-old Konrad Motorsport pilot from Britain.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said the clearly emotional new champion. “This is for sure the best thing that has happened in my life to now.”
His toughest rival in the title bid, compatriot Sean Edwards, crowned his second season in Germany’s fastest one-make cup with a victory at the final round.
Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
With this, he secured vice championship honours and helped his Deutsche Post by tolimit team to win the team championship.
Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
The inaugural special classification for guest starters went to Raffi Bader (MRS Team PZ Aschaffenburg) from Switzerland.
Bill Barazetti (D), Raffi Bader (CH), Heinz-Bert Wolters (D) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Taking up the race from pole position, the initially cautious Nick Tandy let his rival Edwards and Förch Racing pilot René Rast (Germany) pass in the first race laps – after all, he had a twelve-point advantage in the standings over his closest pursuer Edwards.
Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
While Edwards could pull away after several laps, Tandy stuck to the bumper of Rast’s 911 with his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. In the tenth lap, the Briton overtook the German and set out to chase the leading Edwards – which obviously made his team boss Franz Konrad nervous.
The shock for the Konrad Motorsport squad hit home about four laps before the flag: Tandy’s pace slowed, Rast held tight to second. What was happening to Tandy? Sensing their chance to snatch a podium spot, three Carrera Cup specialists closed in from behind.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Finally, despite a problem with the front left wheel, Tandy was able to bring home third place – and the championship title for the three-time race winner. Claiming second place at the final, René Rast moved one position up the points’ table to conclude the season in fifth place overall.
The old champion of 2010, Nicolas Armindo, saw the flag in fourth. Driving for Hermes Attempto Racing, the Frenchman concluded an extremely difficult season without any podium spots with a conciliatory result.
Fifth position for Zandvoort winner Jeroen Bleekemolen was reason to celebrate for the Dutchman, who turned 30 today.
As the second pilot of the Deutsche Post by tolimit team he secured third place overall in the German makes cup, which was characterised by an incredibly high level of competition this year. This position is all the more impressive by the fact that the double Supercup champion Bleekemolen had missed two Carrera Cup races due to his commitments in the American Le Mans Series.
For Christian Engelhart (Germany) the main priority as a guest starter for Konrad Motorsport was to assist the team in collecting points. And this worked. Engelhart came sixth, and Franz Konrad was rewarded with second place in the team classification.
Lausitzring winner Nicki Thiim (Denmark, Hermes Attempto Racing) was somewhat disappointed about his seventh place at the final round. At the penultimate round in Oschersleben, the son of the former DTM champion Kurt Thiim was still ranking third overall, but was shunted into fourth by Bleekemolen.
Eighth place out of the 30 competitors went to Austria’s Martin Ragginger.
Having taken up the 18-lap race from fourth, the Schnabl-Engineering pilot lost many places in the first lap. He winds up the season as seventh overall in the standings.
Positions nine and ten are occupied by Uwe Alzen (Germany, PZ Aschaffenburg Uwe Alzen Automotive) and his compatriot Jan Seyffarth (SMS Seyffarth Motorsport).
Sean Edwards (winner):
“I’m very pleased with my second Carrera Cup win and the vice-championship. Of course I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t win the title; my bad luck at the Nürburgring was the reason. But this weekend we showed that we have a winning car. I’m very happy with the result, and I’m particularly pleased that my Deutsche Post crew has won the team championship, they are over the moon. And congratulations to Nick – after all a Briton has won the title.”
René Rast (second):
“I’m really very happy to conclude the season with second place. Sean was too fast at the front, I didn’t have a chance. It’s also wonderful that we earned fourth place in the team classification for our Förch Racing team.”
Nick Tandy (third):
“We’ve been working for this for the last two years and now we’ve done it. I couldn’t be happier. This is the best time of my life. I’m so unbelievably thankful to all those in my team who contributed to this success. The race was obviously incredible. I didn’t have to win to claim the title, but my car was so good by midway through the race that I could have done it. After all, that’s what we are here for – to win races! Several laps before the end there was something wrong with my right front wheel, I don’t know what it was. But my heart fell into my boots. I’m so relieved and happy that it was enough to bring home the trophy.”
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On 28 October, TV station Sport1 televises the race review, interviews and reports of the finale from 17.30 to 18.00 hours in the “Carrera Cup Magazin” and broadcasts a one hour programme of season highlights of the Carrera Cup Deutschland on 29 October from 13.45 hrs.
Race result Hockenheim
1. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 31:04.035 minutes (159.007 km/h)
2. René Rast (D), Förch Racing, + 1.426 seconds
3. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 3.769
4. Nicolas Armindo (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 4.674
5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 5.094
6. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 5.567
7. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 9.042
8. Martin Ragginger (A), Schnabl Engineering, + 9.241
9. Uwe Alzen (D), PZ Aschaffenburg Uwe Alzen Automotive, + 10.102
10. Jan Seyffarth (D), SMS Seyffarth Motorsport, + 10.618
Drivers’ classification after 9 of 9 races
1. Nick Tandy (GB), 138 points
2. Sean Edwards (GB), 130
3. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 96
4. Nicki Thiim (DK), 94
5. René Rast (D), 93
6. Jaap van Lagen (NL), 86
7. Martin Ragginger (A), 75
Team classification after 9 of 9 races
1. Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 209 points
2. Konrad Motorsport, 173
3. Hermes Attempto Racing, 135
4. Förch Racing, 116
Stuttgart. That was close. Just 0.183 seconds separated Porsche’s works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria) in the 911 GT3 RSR from their first win of the season.
Patrick Pilet (l), Wolf Henzler (r)
At the final round of the Le Mans Series, the title defenders celebrated their best result of the year clinching second at Estoril in the GTE Pro sports car category. Factory pilots Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Patrick Pilet (France) were delighted with their best result of the season in third place. And there was wild elation in the GTE Am class in which just one professional driver may compete per vehicle.
Raymond Narac (l), Franck Rava (m), Nicolas Armindo (r)
Frenchmen Nicolas Armindo and Raymond Narac crowned their season with another victory with the 2010-spec 911 GT3 RSR, and took home the drivers’ championship title.
Marc Lieb (r)
“It was a really great race,” said Marc Lieb. “As expected, there was a very close fight between us and Ferrari. Our 911 remained consistent over the entire six hours. Richard, the team and I gave our very best. We fought to the flag. During the last pit stop, Richard experienced a bit of bad luck when he encountered traffic. That cost us the decisive seconds and handed the lead to the Ferrari.”
Taking up the race from fourth, Richard Lietz managed to move into second position after almost an hour.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton, Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz
Lap for lap, Lieb and Lietz then reeled in the front-runner. It was Lietz who finally closed the gap during his second stint – and the Felbermayr-Proton pit crew played their hand in the success: Their eight-second faster pit stop catapulted Lieb into the lead with the 911 GT3 RSR. Trying to defend this, however, was no easy task. Lieb could fend off his pursuers, but not really shake them. The Felbermayr-Proton squad’s last pit stop also worked perfectly, but back on the track Lietz hit traffic – and the Ferrari snatched back the lead. Although Lietz stuck like glue to the bumper of the leader he wasn’t able to overtake on the narrow circuit.
“The last phase was sensational,” Richard Lietz said. “In the last lap we were panel to panel twice and touched several times. But there was no way I could pass without crossing the line of fairness. When you have victory in sight and are beaten by such a close margin, well, your joy over second place is somewhat overshadowed.”
After winning the drivers’ championship in the last two years, the pair finished the season in third.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton, Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz
For works drivers Wolf Henzler and Patrick Pilet, who contest the GTE-Pro class for the IMSA Performance Matmut team, the race was no less exciting. Start driver Pilet took an early lead before having to relinquish it after five laps. Suffering problems with the nut gun at two pit stops, the German/French duo fell back to third place. “Holding on to third took a huge effort,” said both Henzler and Pilet.
“We tried out all variations of set-up possibilities,” explained Henzler. “But we simply didn’t manage to find a decent balance. With fresh tyres we could easily hold the pace, but after a couple of laps the 911 become difficult to drive. And we lost a lot of time in the pits. This is something we have to work on.” Pilet added: “But this makes it all the more wonderful that, despite everything, we claimed out first podium result. We’re happy.”
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo
For IMSA Performance Matmut, there were two reasons to celebrate at the finale. Aside from third place for the GTE Pro pilots, there were joyous celebrations over the race victory and win of the championship title in the GTE Am class. This marks the first international title for the team based in the northern French town of Rouen. The reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, Nicolas Armindo, and team owner and amateur racer Raymond Narac, yielded the brilliant balance of four wins from five races. As stipulated by the regulations, the pair competed with the 2010 version of the 911 GT3 RSR. The squad also secured the team championship title which serves as an entrance ticket to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2012.
Nicolas Armindo
“I simply can’t express how happy I am,” said Armindo with a wide grin. “At the beginning of the season everything was new for me. But thanks to my team I quickly found my feet in this new environment and it didn’t take me long at all to get familiar with the 911 GT3 RSR. It makes me proud that in my first year of LMS I can contribute to bringing home the championship trophy for this warm and wonderful team.”
Christian Ried
Felbermayr-Proton team owner Christian Ried (Germany) and Austria’s Horst Felbermayr Junior were also pleased. The winners of the season-opener in Le Castellet concluded the year with a podium result in the GTE Am class.
Marc Goossens
For the third Porsche team contesting the GTE-Pro class with works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and Marc Goossens (Belgium), the race came to a premature end in lap one when an opponent crashed into the right front wheel of their ProSpeed Competition 911 – broke the steering gear and knocked them out of contention.
“It is such a shame that the season ends like this,” said Marco Holzer. “We’d qualified a decent fourth yesterday and thought our chances for second in the GTE Pro classification looked good. Unfortunately the overzealous move of a competitor robbed us of this chance. For our team, who had worked so incredibly hard, this was a particularly bitter conclusion to the year.”
Marco Holzer and Patrick Pilet
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Statistics: 5th of 5 rounds of the Le Mans Series in Estoril/Portugal
Result GTE Pro class
1. Bell/Walker (GB/GB), Ferrari F458 Italia, 209 laps
2. Lieb/Lietz (D/A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 0.183 seconds behind
3. Henzler/Pilet (D/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 207
4. Melo/Vilander (BR/FIN), Ferrari F458 Italia, 206
5. Hancock/Dolan (GB/GB), Aston Martin Vantage, 204
6. Rodrigues/Ballay/Ayari (P/F/F), Ferrari F458 Italia, 197
7. Farnbacher/Simonsen (D/DK), Ferrari F458 Italia, 99
Result GTE Am class
1. Armindo/Narac (F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 205 laps
2. Hummel/Christodoulou/Quaife (NL/GB/GB), Ferrari F430, 203
3. Ried/Felbermayr Jr. (D/A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 202
The Le Mans Series
Contested for the first time in 2004, the Le Mans Series (LMS) is open for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations are based on those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. Five six-hour races are contested this season throughout Europe.
GTE Pro class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers (previously known as the GT2 class) is traditionally the best supported: Modified standard sports cars with up to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms. GTE-Am class: Like the GTE-Pro, but with 2010-vehicle specifications. Moreover, the regulations stipulate that each vehicle may have just one professional driver. LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kg. LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp, GT-class homologated engines and a 900 kg minimum weight. FLM class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All race cars start together but are classified separately according to the class. Points are only allocated for placings in each class. Championship titles are awarded for drivers, manufacturers and teams in all five classes. With four title wins in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010,
Porsche works driver Marc Lieb is the most successful pilot in the series.
Stuttgart. The Porsche works drivers start the final race of the Le Mans Series season from promising positions.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton, Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz
Posting grid position three, title defender Richard Lietz (Austria) clinched the best result of the season with the 911 GT3 RSR in the GTE Pro sports car category.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton, Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz
On the fourth spot, Marco Holzer (Germany) takes up the six hour race alongside Lietz on the 4.182 kilometre former Grand Prix circuit of Estoril.
Marco Holzer (Germany)
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, ProSpeed Competition, Marco Holzer, Marc Goossens
Patrick Pilet (France) rounds off the good result with position six on the grid. In the GTE Am class, Frenchman Nicolas Armindo again set pole position with the 2010-version of the 911 GT3 RSR.
Patrick Pilet (France)
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut, Wolf Henzler (l), Patrick Pilet (r)
Wolf Henzler (l)
Frenchman Nicolas Armindo
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo
“We gave our best and are really pleased with third on the grid,” said Lietz who last year secured the championship title in the sports car class with his Felbermayr-Proton teammate Marc Lieb (Germany). “My lap was good, third on the grid is the best result of the season by now. Above all, we’re thrilled that our times are so close to the leaders. Now let’s see what the race yields for us.”
After a difficult start to the season with two crashes that were not their fault, the luck of the title defenders finally turned recently in Silverstone with their first podium position.
After competing last year as a Porsche Junior, 23-year-old factory pilot Marco Holzer was delighted with his fourth grid spot.
“That was a great qualifying session,” commented Holzer, who joins forces for ProSpeed Competition with Belgium’s Marc Goossens.
“We missed out on the first free practice because we had to change something on our gearbox. Hence we were behind with our set-up work. But this makes our second row position even sweeter. In fact, we’ve never started so far up the front of the field this season. And we’re also hoping to further improve the handling of our 911 during the warm-up tomorrow and then the race should go well. The track is challenging but I really like it.”
The French factory pilot Patrick Pilet also seemed satisfied.
Patrick Pilet
“Sixth on the grid is okay,” stated Pilet, who shares driving duties for IMSA Performance Matmut with works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany).
“Our car was rather difficult to drive in the practice sessions, so we tried out something very new in the qualifying but that didn’t work. Now we have some things to sort out during the warm-up. And then comes the race that will undoubtedly be very exciting on this somewhat narrow circuit.”
Wolf Henzler
Nicolas Armindo secured another point in the fight for the championship with his fourth pole position of the season in the GTE Am class. In this category, only one professional driver is permitted per vehicle.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut, Patrick Pilet, Wolf Henzler
The reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland drives with the team owner IMSA Performance Matmut, amateur racer Raymond Narac. In compliance with the regulations, the two Frenchmen compete with a 2010-spec 911 GT3 RSR.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton, Horst Felbermayr Jr. (l), Christian Ried (r)
The pair takes up the final round with an eleven point lead over their closest rival. Felbermayr-Proton’s team owner Christian Ried (Germany) and Horst Felbermayr Junior (Austria) head into tomorrow’s race from fourth in the GTE Am class.
Christian Ried (Germany)
Horst Felbermayr Junior (Austria)
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Qualifying result GTE Pro class
1. Rob Bell (GB), Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:39.176 minutes
2. Gianmaria Bruni (I), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.057 seconds
3. Richard Lietz (A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.198
4. Marco Holzer (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.350
5. Dominik Farnbacher (D), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.573
6. Patrick Pilet (F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.788
7. Jamie Melo (BR), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 1.214
GTE Am class
1. Nicolas Armindo (F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:40.014 minutes
2. Marco Cioci (I), Ferrari F430, + 0.544 seconds
3. Phil Quaife (GB), Ferrari F430, + 0.763
4. Christian Ried (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.093
The six hour race starts on Sunday, 25 September, at 13.00 hours local time (CEST 14.00 hours).
The Le Mans Series
Contested for the first time in 2004, the Le Mans Series (LMS) is open for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations are based on those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. Five six-hour races are contested this season throughout Europe.
GTE-Pro class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers (previously known as the GT2 class) is traditionally the best supported: Modified standard sports cars with up to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms. GTE-Am class: Like the GTE-Pro, but with the 2010-vehicle specifications. Moreover, the regulations stipulate that each vehicle must have one professional driver at the most. LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms. LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp, GT-class homologated engines and a 900 kg minimum weight. FLM class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All race cars start together but are classified separately according to the class. Points are only allocated for placings in each class. Championship titles are awarded for drivers, manufacturers and teams in all five classes.
Claiming four titles in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010, Porsche works driver Marc Lieb is the most successful pilot in the series.
Stuttgart. With effect from October 2011, Jörg Kerner will be heading up the power train development division for Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart at the Weissach Development Centre. The 41-year-old succeeds Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neußer, who at the same time takes charge of power train development at the Volkswagen brand.
Jörg Kerner worked for Robert Bosch GmbH from 1986 to 2004 where his responsibilities included various Audi projects in the petrol engine control and application area. The engineering graduate joined Audi AG in 2004, where Jörg Kerner built up the engine and transmission electronics design, software and functional development division, managing it until 2009. The engine developer subsequently took over the power train electrification division at Audi.
Stuttgart. In a turbulent rain race, Kuba Giermaziak celebrated his maiden victory in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup on the Hungaroring near Budapest.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
With his win, the Pole goes down in the successful history of the world’s fastest international one-make race series as the 50th winner out of 201 races contested so far.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
At the wheel of his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which is based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS street sports car, the VERVA Racing pilot put in a brilliant drive to outpace Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen (Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit) by 18.783 seconds.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
Third place was enough for Bleekemolen’s British teammate Sean Edwards to snatch the championship lead.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Kuba Giermaziak (PL), Sean Edwards (GB) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
Kuba Giermaziak claimed the maiden win for a Polish and East European driver by a huge margin, very rarely seen in this fiercely-contested championship. Many young pilots have used the one-make series run as support to the Formula 1 as a launching platform for extremely successful careers in international GT racing and attracted attention with performances similar to that of the youngest driver in the field at 21 years. Taking up the sprint from fifth on the grid, Giermaziak immediately shot past the first rivals and already after one lap had moved into third place. In lap four he had snatched the lead.
During the first laps on the wet Grand Prix circuit, positions changed almost by the second. Kévin Estre, the French Supercup newcomer driving for Hermes Attempto Racing, made the most of his pole position and initially defended his lead.
Kevin Estre (F) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
When he visited the gravel in the lap one, René Rast (Germany) took his place at the front. But under such difficult conditions the points’ leader from VELTINS Lechner Racing made several mistakes and fell back in the field. Over the course of the race, the title defender had to let more opponents past. With four laps to the flag, technical problems forced the German into retirement, which robbed him of his overall points’ lead.
Nick Tandy also came away from the seventh round with a disappointing result. Driving for Konrad Motorsport, the Briton spun in the second lap and lost touch with the front-runners. Crossing the finish line in ninth, last year’s vice-champion very likely has to bury his title aspirations completely.
Meanwhile at the front, Kuba Giermaziak continued to pull away from his pursuers. With his VERVA Racing team, he had previously tested in the rain on the Hungaroring. Team boss Timo Rumpfkeil could implement the insight gained from this almost 1:1 in the race.
Behind the leader, Sean Edwards and Kévin Estre managed to fend off any attacks for quite some time before the Frenchman made some errors and lost contact to the front-runners to finish in fifth. For the Briton, this didn’t bring much relief.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
His teammate Jeroen Bleekemolen put him under immense pressure from behind to finally pass him shortly before the finish in the final lap to snatch second. For the two-time Supercup winner, this marked his first podium result so far this season.
Behind the Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit duo, Norbert Siedler’s stunning chase through the field was rewarded with fourth place.
Taking up the race from tenth place after a poor qualifying, VELTINS Lechner Racing sent the Austrian as well as René Rast into the race on brand new rain tyres. With sixth, Robert Lukas yielded his best result this season behind his teammate Kévin Estre.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
Kuba Giermaziak (winner):
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
“I’m absolutely delighted with my first victory in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, and my biggest thanks go to my team. It’s incredible how hard the boys work to put a perfect car on the track for us at every race. We tested here in Budapest, luckily in rain, and that paid off. We knew we’d do very well on the wet circuit, but we hadn’t anticipated that we’d do it with such a huge advantage. Despite the awful weather conditions I didn’t make any mistakes. I’m particularly pleased for the many Polish fans who came so far this weekend to support us. Thank you all very much.”
Jeroen Bleekemolen (second):
“What a great race. I started from seventh, struggled with grip at the start and lost two places. But I crawled my way up lap by lap with a couple of good overtaking manoeuvres – huge fun! I tried to be cautious with my tyres over the whole distance, even during the formation lap, and it proved very helpful at the end when the track dried up, particularly for overtaking Sean.”
Sean Edwards (third):
“Now that was one crazy race. I had a lot of fun. The grip wasn’t really great over the distance and I had to fight hard to defend my position. But there was nothing I could do about Jeroen. Still, I’m totally happy. Both cars from Abu Dhabi by tolimit on the podium, the first time this season – that’s a great result. I’m hoping we can continue like this at the next race in Spa. The championship is really exciting now.”
Race result
1. Kuba Giermaziak (PL) VERVA Racing Team, 30:12.507 minutes
2. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 18.783 seconds
3. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 19.449
4. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 21.931
5. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 23.112
6. Robert Lukas (PL), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 24.539
Drivers’ classification after 7 of 11 races
1. Sean Edwards (GB), 106 points
2. René Rast (D), 105
3. Norbert Siedler (A), 97
4. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), 90
5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 86
6. Nick Tandy (GB), 79
Round 8 of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes place on 28 August as support to the Formula 1 race in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
René Rast wins 200th Supercup race
Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Stuttgart. The hero of the day in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup is René Rast.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by VELTINS Lechner Racing, the title defender from Frankfurt in Germany won the 200th race of the world’s fastest international one-make series on the Nuerburgring.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
This marks his fourth win so far this season.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
In a gripping race under typical Eifel weather conditions, he relegated Poland’s Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team) to second place and further extended his championship lead.
Start zum 200. Rennen – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
The anniversary race of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, which has run as support to the Formula 1 worldwide since 1993, started with a worried glance at the low-hanging clouds.
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
When the rain stopped shortly before the start, the majority of drivers opted for slicks – with Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (Team Bleekemolen) in position 12 on the grid selecting rain tyres.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
On the partly wet track, the Dutchman fought his way through half the field in the first lap to promptly move into first place. But his blaze of glory was short-lived: The slowly drying circuit foiled any further plans.
Sharing this fate were Britain’s Nick Tandy and Frenchman Kévin Estre. The title aspirant from Konrad Motorsport and the Supercup newcomer driving for Hermes Attempto Racing had such a lively encounter in the second corner that they were thrown remorselessly to the back of the field and went home without any championship points.
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
This was particularly bitter for Nick Tandy, who as reigning vice-champion has yet to notch up a victory this season and for whom this setback is possibly decisive in his bid for the title.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
At the head of the pack René Rast and the first-time pole-sitter Kuba Giermaziak delivered a tough fight for victory right to the flag. Still, the Pole drove a cautious race to clinch his best Supercup result so far.
Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Britain’s Sean Edwards, who eventually brought home third in his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup run by Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, posed no threat from behind.
Norbert Siedler (A) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Trailing the Barcelona winner, Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing) secured fourth, but not before fending off a strong attack from Stefan Rosina.
Stefan Rosina (SK) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Driving for VERVA Racing, the Slovakian secured his best result to date with fifth ahead of Jeroen Bleekemolen (Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit), two-time Supercup champion from the Netherlands.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Putting in their personal best Porsche Mobil1 Supercup performance to now at the anniversary race in the Eifel were William Langhorne and Mathias Lauda. The American, who races for SANITEC Aquiles MRS Racing, finished tenth with the Konrad Motorsport pilot from Austria and son of racing legend Niki Lauda in eleventh.
René Rast (winner):
“That was a perfect race. The conditions were unbelievably tough. First it was totally wet, then dry again. When you’re at the front it’s very difficult to predict what’s going to happen. You never know what to expect in the next second. It’s a lot easier for the guys behind me. They can just wait to see what I do. Towards the end I slowed the pace a little to bring my victory home safely. With an eye on the championship, this was a great weekend for us.”
René Rast (D) - Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Kuba Giermaziak (second):
“Congratulations to René. He drove a strong race under the most difficult conditions. As the track dried up I was quicker, in fact I could have won today. At least we had the speed. But René is not one to make silly mistakes when he’s under pressure. And I wasn’t prepared to risk anything. So now we just have to keep waiting for our first win, but I’m quite sure it’ll happen this season.”
Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Sean Edwards (third):
“A great race. I started from seventh on the grid and finished in third – that’s not bad under such tough conditions. In the dry we simply didn’t have the speed to attack.”
Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Race result
1. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 30:00.552 minutes
2. Kuba Giermaziak (PL) VERVA Racing Team, + 1.001 seconds
3. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 5.288
4. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 8.042
5. Stefan Rosina (SK), VERVA Racing Team, + 8.628
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 9.964
Drivers’ standings after 6 of 9 races*
1. René Rast (D), 105 points
2. Sean Edwards (GB), 90
3. Norbert Siedler A), 83
4. Nick Tandy (GB), 72
5. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), 70
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 68
* It has yet to be decided if and when there will be a replacement for the cancelled Formula 1 race in Bahrain with two rounds of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.
Round 7 of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup takes place on 31 July as support to the Formula 1 race in Budapest/Hungary.
First pole position for Kuba Giermaziak at 200th anniversary race
Stuttgart. At the 200th race in the successful history of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, Kuba Giermaziak from Poland starts from pole position on the Nürburgring on Sunday.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
Kuba Giermaziak (pole-sitter):
“It couldn’t have been better. I’m so thrilled with my first pole position. But we already noticed in free practice that we had the speed. The entire team prepared everything brilliantly. The Nürburgring is my absolute favourite, in fact I’m always fast here. Achieving pole position is of course a fantastic effort. Now we will try everything to turn it into a fantastic race result.”
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the VERVA Racing team, he turned the fastest qualifying lap for the first time. At 21, Giermaziak is the youngest driver in the series and currently sits seventh overall in the championship.
Stefan Rosina (SK) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Türkei 2011
Stefan Rosina (2nd in qualifying):
“A huge compliment to my team. With two of us on the first two grid spots, it shows just how well we prepared. The race will certainly not be easy, after all we have a couple of hot-shots breathing hard down our necks. But first we’re going to enjoy this wonderful result and tomorrow we’ll be ready to fight for a top place.”
His teammate from Slovakia, Stefan Rosina, secured the second grid spot with a gap of 0.295 seconds for the anniversary race of the world’s fastest international one-make series and rounded off a strong team performance.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
René Rast (3rd in qualifying):
“I’m satisfied with third place. More important is that Nick and Sean are behind me. If I manage to beat them in the race then I can extend my points’ lead. But it looks like rain tomorrow, so in that case anything can happen.”
Behind the VERVA Racing team pilots, title defender René Rast from Germany had to settle with the third quickest time.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Driving for VELTINS Lechner Racing, the current points’ leader and winner of three race this season tackles the anniversary event on the circuit in Germany’s Eifel region alongside his British opponent and title rival Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport).
Norbert Siedler (A) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
Notching up the fifth fastest time, Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing) secured a good starting position for Sunday, just like Patrick Huisman (Team Bleekemolen), the Supercup record winner from the Netherlands with sixth.
Patrick Huisman (NL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Türkei 2011
Sean Edwards from Great Britain had to settle for the seventh grid position. Driving for Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, the current number two in the championship faces a tough task in his bid to make a dent in the points’ difference between him and front-runner René Rast.
Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
This also applies to his teammate Jeroen Bleekemolen.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
The double Supercup champion from the Netherlands occupies the eighth spot ahead of Supercup newcomer Kévin Estre (France) and Robert Lukas (Poland), the Hermes Attempto Racing duo.
Qualifying result
1. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, 2:01.791 minutes
2. Stefan Rosina (SK), VERVA Racing Team, + 0.295 seconds
3. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 0.376
4. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.433
5. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 0.568
6. Patrick Huisman (NL), Team Bleekemolen, + 0.801
Stuttgart. The Porsche Mobil1 Supercup has reason to celebrate:
On 24 July,the 200th race of the world’s fastest international one-make series takes off at the Nürburgring. The series has run as support to the Formula 1 races since 1993. Some interesting facts and figures of a success story:
The first race was run on 25 April 1993 as support to the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola. Victory went to Uwe Alzen, who was eventually beaten in the fight for the title by Altfrid Heger.
Uwe Alzen (GER) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Norisring 2010
The closest title decision came in 1997. Patrick Huisman and Oliver Mathai both had 128 points to their credit. The title went to Huisman who had won three races, whilst Mathai triumphed just once.
Two records were set by Wolf Henzler, the champion of the 2004 season: His nine wins and ten fastest race laps are unrivalled.
Wolf Henzler
He posted pole position eight times, matching Joerg Bergmeister’s record from the 2001 season.
Joerg Bergmeister
The most successful VIP driver was Mika Häkkinen. The eventual two-time Formula 1 World Champion won the Supercup races in Monaco and Budapest in 1993.
The most victories were claimed by Patrick Huisman. To date, the Dutchman has won 24 races – the first in 1996 at the Hockenheim round, the most recent in 2007 at Spa. In 18 races he started from pole-position – more than any other driver. A total of 48 drivers have joined the list of winners from the 199 Supercup races contested so far.
The most titles were also secured by Patrick Huisman. From 1997 to 2000 he was crowned champion four times straight.
Richard Westbrook (Champion 2006, 2007)
Two championships have been clinched by Richard Westbrook (2006, 2007) and Jeroen Bleekemolen (2008, 2009).
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NDL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Abu Dhabi 2009
As the sole drivers, Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen (2009/13 races) and Frenchman Emmanuel Collard (1996/9) climbed the podium at every race of a season. They both took five wins.
The most successful Supercup countries are Germany and the Netherlands, each with six championship titles. Next comes France with three outright wins.
The youngest overall winner was René Rast who was 23 years old when he secured the title in 2010. The oldest was Frenchman Jean-Pierre Malcher: He was 45 when he took home the championship in 1995.
René Rast (Champion 2010)
The most Supercup races were held in Monaco. The Principality hosted the series 19 times, followed by Budapest and Silverstone (18 each) as well as Hockenheim (17). All in all, the Supercup has been contested on 19 race tracks around the world.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Stuttgart. After a successful guest appearance at the Porsche Carrera World Cup, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup now returns for the second time this season to the Nürburgring on 24th July.
It’s the 200th race in it’s successful history and rather than on the Nordschleife it takes place on the Grand Prix circuit.
But the change of track doesn’t at all faze René Rast.
“We’re doing well at the moment,” grins the points’ leader driving for the VELTINS Lechner Racing squad. “I don’t really mind where I win.”
The title defender from Germany, who celebrated the greatest success of his career with the World Cup victory, is the man to beat in the world’s fastest international one-make race series.
Start, René Rast (D) vorne – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
His start to the season was somewhat bumpy until he turned the corner with his victory in Monaco. Recently on the storied Silverstone circuit, the home track of his arch rival Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport), he celebrated his third straight win.
This success saw his old self-confidence return:
“Earlier on we had a couple of hiccups, but now we’re back in force.”
Despite Rast’s winning streak, the fight for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup title is still wide open before the anniversary race on the Nürburgring.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Competing for the Abu Dhabi by tolimit team, Britain’s Sean Edwards secured his place amongst the hot favorites with his win in Barcelona. Although he lost the points’ lead at Silverstone, he hasn’t lost his faith in claiming the title.
“Despite this little misfiring we’re still looking good,” he says. “Now we just have to stick at it.”
Germany’s Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport), winner of the season-opener in Istanbul, also has new hopes. After a lengthy lean spell he finally yielded a good result with fifth in Silverstone.
Christian Engelhart (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Fighting to keep up with the front-runners are two drivers that started into the season as keen title aspirants: Nick Tandy and Jeroen Bleekemolen. The Briton fell from the top of the points’ table after retiring from the Porsche Carrera World Cup. He finished four of the five rounds contested by now in second place, but is still waiting for his first win.
Ranking third overall, he needs every point to maintain his bid for the title, as does Jeroen Bleekemolen of Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, who lies behind Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing) in fifth. Bleekemolen, the two-time Supercup winner from the Netherlands, experienced a slow start to the season.
With fourth place in Monaco as his best result to now he knows only too well that he has to pull out all stops if he doesn’t want to miss the championship boat.
“On the Nürburgring,” he says, “only a podium result can help. Obviously a win would be the best. But with the competition at the top so close it’s going to be tough.”
In light of the strong competition, the performance of Supercup newcomer Kévin Estre is even more remarkable. The French Hermes Attempto Racing pilot raised eyebrows in Silverstone with third in qualifying, which he turned into his best race result of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup season with fourth place.
His next goal?
“The podium,” he says confidently, “preferably on the Nürburgring.”
Team classification
1. VELTINS Lechner Racing, 148 points
2. Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, 130
3. Konrad Motorsport, 124
* It has yet to be decided if and when there will be a replacement for the cancelled Formula 1 race in Bahrain with two rounds of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.
