Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Pato Who, Indeed!

If you thought this May’s Kroger promotion in Indianapolis was Big. You should have seen the phalanx ‘O Fans in Mexico City awaiting me Mark! (The Tomaso Collection)

 

“What Has Brown Done for You lately” Mark?

 

Even though supposedly Pato Who? And Penske’s Chief “Entertainment” cough-Cough! Officer Mark Miles have “Buried the Hatchet”. I’d like to think that Miles has woke up and Smelled the Fiesta! Even if it was for a “Formula 1” driver, its still Nuts!

 

Since have you ever heard of Fans arriving twelve hours before a racing driver arrives for a promotional event at a Shopping Mall the day before the weekend’s track activities begin?

 

While its priceless that McLaren Boss Zak Brown was wearing a Pato Who? Ballcap during Pato’s one hour (Free Practice) FP-1 session Friday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Ole!

 

As Y’all can read All about it in the link below written by the AP’s Jenna Fryer.

 

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/autoracing/2024/10/28/pato-oward-takes-mexico-city-by-storm-proving-the-indycar-driver-can-carry-series-in-home-country 

Hey Mark Miles, Did You See Pato Who in Mexico?

Yuhs know, IndyCar Chief “Excitement” Officer’s favourite Driver…

 

Initially planned to pen my two pesos worth about IndyCar’s Mega’ Charter system’s announcement in a No Fenders post title Charter This! As I’m mildly intrigued over how the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsport Anti-trust lawsuit plays out…

 

Although as Racer’s Marshall Pruett has previously noted. IndyCar’s Charter is like a plain Cheese pizza with zero toppings right now!

 

Thus, instead I found myself more inspired to scribble something about my Numero Uno IndyCar driver now affectionately known as Pato Who? As perhaps Y’all have seen the billboard in Indiana on I-465.

 

As Patricio Pato’ O’Ward just made His latest Formula 1 (Free Practice) FP1 outing for McLaren in Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Ariva-Ariva-Ariva!

 

As Pato wound-up P13 with a time of 1:19.295 vs. twelfth place teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli. With the 18yr old recording a lap of 1:19.200 for Mercedes.

 

The next quickest “rookie” was Aston Martin’s Felipe Drugovich P18. With Robert Shwartzman 19th for Sauber and Oliver Bearman dead last in P20 for Ferrari. While positions 14-17 were filled by Haas’s Kevin Magnussen, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll in the other Aston Martin and Williams Alexander Albon respectively. Although Albon was caught-up in a collision with Ollie’ Bearman.

 

Yet Lando Norris, whose McLaren O’Ward was driving sounds like a total Prick! Saying Pato knows what He’s there for, testing! And He’s not supposed to damage the car. And we could have chosen anywhere for Him to test at, so He should be happy its in Mexico…

 

O’Ward first came upon my collective radar during His 2018 Indy Lights tilt, when I was rootin’ for the Mexican to beat Andretti Autosport teammate Colton Herta for the title, which Pato did!

 

After making His IndyCar debut at the 2018 season finale at Sonoma for Harding Racing. Where Pato qualified an impressive fifth and finished ninth! Following a lack of funding, Pato was released from Harding Steinbrenner Racing and moved to Carlin.

 

Following a very brief, abortive IndyCar beginning with Carlin, remember them Y’all? Pato joined the Red bull Junior Driver Academy with hopes of joining Formula 1. Yet due to the miniscule (2018) Indy Lights field, Pato’s championship points were cut in half, leaving O’Ward unable to qualify for the necessary FIA Super license.

 

Hired to drive for Arrow McLaren SP in 2020 alongside Oliver Askew. A one Mr. Zakery Brown promised Pato a Formula 1 ride if He won an IndyCar race, which O’Ward promptly did at Texas Motor Speedway, His debutante IndyCar win just two days shy of His 22nd birthday!

 

Pato got His first taste of F1 in a demonstration drive at Laguna Seca in November, 2021 behind the wheel of Mika Hakkinen’s MP4/13. With the Double World Champion on hand to give advice…

 

In December, O’Ward tested the team’s current McLaren MCL35 chassis during the yearly Abu Dhabi season finale Young Guns test, where He finished a very impressive fourth fastest!

 

For Fall, 2022, Pato, along with some IndyCar Hotschue’ named Alex Palou carried out two test sessions for McLaren in Barcelona and Austria. Then Pato made His Free Practice (FP) session debut at Abu Dhabi that December.

 

O’Ward made another Free Practice outing the following year once again at Abu Dhabi, a circuit He must know fairly well now, ci? Before being named as one of McLaren’s reserve drivers this year. Even though O’Ward’s Day Job is firmly cemented in IndyCar’s.

 

Thus by my unofficial reckoning, Pato’s FP-1 outing at Mexico City marks the first time two Mexicans have been on a Formula 1 circuit simultaneously since fellow countrymen Checo’, nee Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez raced in the 2016 season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ole!

 

Ironically Gutierrez, remember Him Y’all? Also hails from Monterey Mexico, a la O’ward. With the former Sauber and Haas F1 driver Gutierrez having raced for Glickenhaus Racing in the FIA World Enduance Championship. (WEC) Along with CrowdStrike Racing by APR in IMSA’s LMP2 category during 2023. Whilst I’ve got zero clue what Gutierrez is up to this season?

 

As Pato says its been a dream of His to race on Home soil for quite awhile now, and I can only surmise that He received a warm reception in Mexico city, even if everybody showed up to root for Sergio Perez. As who knows? Pato will probably drive an F1 car again for McLaren, since He’s got nothing on His calendar until next March…

 

As that was before I read the news that O’Ward will now run His Arrow Mclaren IndyCar in a demonstration run during next January’s Formula E Mexico City E-Prix event. Along with also sampling one of McLaren’s Formula E racecars also in a demonstration run. Did you hear that Mark Miles, Ole!

 

Whilst Pato desperately wishes to participate in next year’s inaugural Mexico City NASCAR Cup event, for which I haven’t checked if it clashes with His Day Job? Along with oddly, His Boss Zak Brown mentioning O’Ward contesting the Day-Toner’ 500 some day… 

Monday, November 18, 2024

IndyCar Teams go Testing at Thermal

For which at least one IndyCar reporter should be present, even if it’s His Wedding Anniversary…

 

What appeared to initially be a single car test, in what probably is the last test session of the year? Although I’ve got zero clue if the other six IndyCar teams have test days they’re sitting on?

 

As tomorrow’s private test has grown into a procession of five IndyCar teams using their remaining allotted Driver Evaluation test days in the California Desert, even if they have “No Vacancies” on their driver rosters next year…

 

Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) was the first team to book a date at Thermal, and will run Logan Sargeant in it’s Dallara Honda chassis. As Sargent, who turns 24 years old on Tony Kanaan’s birthday, (Dec 31st) raced in formula 1 between 2023-24 for Williams F1, making a total of 37 starts  before being replaced by rookie Argentine sensation Franco Colapinto at Monza this September. And previously raced in Formula 2, finishing fourth overall in 2022. Scoring a total of four podiums, including two wins driving for Carlin.

 

MSR Arse-sumedly is using the test as an evaluation of Thermal for next year’s upcoming points race on March 23rd. And possibly also vetting personnel for its technical alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing, who can also use MSR’s data…

 

Arrow McLaren will test Enzo Fittipaldi, the younger brother of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Pietro Fittipaldi. As Pietro still doesn’t know if He’ll be returning to the cockpit of the No. 30 RLLR Honda entry next year?

 

Pietro, Age 28 major accomplishment to date in Open Wheel Racing is winning the 2017 Formula V8 3.5 series, the final iteration of what was popularly known as the world Series by Renault 3.5 Championship. And has been the Haas F1 Team’s test & reserve driver since 2019. Along with making two Formula 1 Grands Prix starts as Romain Grosjean’s substitute after His fiery crash in Bahrain in 2020.

 

Enzo Fittipaldi has spent the past three years racing in the FIA Formula 2 World Championship. Currently driving for Van Amersfoort Racing and having amassed 71 starts, with two wins and 13 podiums to date. Along with having won the 2018 Italian F4 title. But like His older brother Pietro, His chances at a Formula 1 career seem virtually Nil’.

 

Penske will have its standout Sports Car driver, and reigning IMSA GTP Champion Felipe Nasr behind the wheel of its lone racecar in California.

 

Nasr, Age 32 drove for the Sauber f1 Team during the 2015-16 seasons, with a career best finish of fifth place upon His Formula 1 debut in Australia.

 

Following F1, Felipe made His debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Partnering Eric Curran in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R prototype. As the duo won the Prototypes championship with five podiums. Including finishing runner-up in the Rolex 24 behind their Seester’ “Mach 5 Mustang Sally”, Err No. 5 Mustang Sampling entry. Along with winning at Belle Isle.

 

Felipe made three starts in Formula E in 2019, before being announced as a Carlin driver for its IndyCar team the following year. Yet due to COVID-19 shutting down motorsports in the spring of 2020, Nasr never got to race in Indy Cars, returning to Sports Cars instead…

 

Rejoining the IMSA DPi ranks, Nasr and new teammate Pipo Derani won at Sebring’s Spring Sprint race that year, starting from Pole and winning the race, once again aboard the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Caddy’.

 

For 2021, Nasr and Derani had a “magical” season, scoring a total of eight podiums, including three wins enroute to the title, Nasr’s second Sports Car Prototypes crown.

 

Then for 2023, Nasr became a Werks’ Porsche Penske Motorsport driver. Having just won this year’s IMSA GTP title with Dane Cameron. Nasr’s third championship and Cameron’s fourth.

 

According to Racer’s Marshall Pruett, Nasr has tested Indy Cars for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Carlin and Team Penske previously. And Penske President Tim Cindric claims Felipe always has His Hand up to test and stay current in single seaters.

 

But like everyone else, Team Penske doesn’t have any vacancies and Nasr’s not going anywhere. Having been confirmed to continue in the #7 Penske Porsche 963 with new teammate Nick Tandy next year.

 

Meanwhile, RLLR will run its latest signing, the reigning Indy NXT Champion Louis Foster. (Age 21) Having previously won the 2022 Indy Pro 2000 Championship with seven victories. Then ran away with the Indy NXT Championship in His sophomore season with eight wins and seven Poles. Being the only rookie for next year testing at Thermal.

 

Ed Carpenter Racing was the latest to join the ever growing party at the Thermal Club on November 19, asking Hunter McElrea to test for them. In what appears to be an early birthday present from ECR, as the Kiwi’ turns 25 years old on November 21st.

 

Having won the 2018 Australian Formula 4 Championship with 13 wins before coming Stateside. Hunter finished runner-up in the U.S. F2000 National Championship and third in Indy Pro 2000 driving for Pabst Racing. And after claiming Rookie Of the Year for Andretti Autosport in Indy Lights, claimed runner-up to current ECR IndyCar driver Christian Rasmussen in 2023.

 

McElrea impressed with His raw speed during His IndyCar debut at Toronto for Dale Coyne Racing. And has also become somewhat of a Sports Car standout, having won this year in the LMP2 category driving for TDS Racing. Taking back-to-back  wins at the Battle On the Bricks (Indianapolis) and Petit Le Mans. Along with winning this year’s IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup LMP2 crown.

 

And like the Fittipaldi brothers, obviously McElrea wishes to become a Fulltime IndyCar driver, but appears to be a long shot… 

Friday, November 15, 2024

MOTO GP: The Season Finale’s Championship Showdown Commences at Barcelona

As Hopefully the race can bring some Joy to the devastated region of Spain…

 

With the horrible flooding in Spain, particularly in the Valencia region. And 211 people having been reported as Deceased as of November 2nd. While the number continues to increase. DORNA, the MotoGP rights holder cancelled the MotoGP season finale scheduled for November 17th at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit.

 

Thus, we waited over the penultimate MotoGP weekend’s outing in Malaysia a Fortnight ago to learn when and where the season’s final race would occur? Although reportedly DORNA made its ambitions known Sunday morning in Sepang, planning to race at Barcelona the same weekend.

 

Saturday’s Sprint race in Sepang seemed to live up once again to Moto Matters Zara Daniela’s apt assessment of anointing Jorge Martin as “The Sprint King”, but I’m getting ahead of myself as usual here upon No Fenders…

 

Back in October, roughly one month ago, MotoGP headed Down Under to Phillip Island, Australia Mates! Where Martin dually continued His dominance of winning on Saturday. Taking His fifth Sprint race of the season ahead of Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini on the podium. With title rival Francesco Pecco’ Bagnaia finishing fourth.

 

As this pumped up Martin’s lead in the title fight to 16 “markers” ahead of Bagnaia. Then Sunday was vintage Marc Marquez. As Ye Pinball Wizard reportedly had a horrible launch due to His rear tyre spinning on an errant tear-off! Seeing the Spaniard drop to P13, before rebounding to fifth on lap-1!

 

Marquez ran down the two title protagonists who were running 1-2. Before Marquez claimed the lead towards race’s end. With Martin settling for second and Bagnaia some nine seconds adrift in third. Thus Martin increased His championship lead to 20 points with three rounds remaining.

 

Seven days later the MotoGP Circus arrived in Buriram, at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand. Where Saturday’s Sprint race result saw another twist…

 

“The Beast!” Aka Enea Bastianini took full advantage of the title rivals and the rider He’s scrapping for third place overall with, promptly vaulted into the lead. Which He would never relinquish, and simply motored away from the field!

 

Jorge Martin eventually got around Pecco’ Bagnaia for second, with Bagnaia’s future teammate Marc Marquez a quiet fourth. This allowed Martin to stretch His points lead to 22 markers.

 

Yet Sunday’s main race saw Bagnaia ultimately turn the tide against thee Martinator’. Although Martin got the Hole-shot on the wet track and aggressively attempted stretching His advantage in the tricky conditions.

 

As  Martin who made many mistakes overall, went wide and allowed both Bagnaia and Marquez to pass Him on lap-5. With Jorge just watching the two Ducati Axmen taking swings at each other for the lead, before Marquez slid wide and tumbled down to P16.

 

This saw Bagnaia hold a three second lead across the stripe ahead of Martin, clawing back five points and whittling Martin’s title lead to a slim 17 points.

 

Then it was on to steamy Sepang a week later, MotoGP’s penultimate round. Where once again the tables were turned upside down. As the rain began falling just prior to Saturday’s Sprint race commencing…

 

Although Bagnaia had snatched Pole away from Martin, with both riders setting new lap records. Martin got another Hole-shot over Pecco’ and effectively romped away to His sixth Sprint race win of the season.

 

Couple that with a crucial mistake by Bagnaia on lap-3 in Turn 9, reportedly a notoriously tricky corner according to the Pundits. Saw the Italian apparently touch the wet, white corner paint and inexplicably go down! For which I thought I heard a screaming “Captain Stubing”, Err lead Pundit Gavin Emmett proclaiming that the championship was over! For which I was left pondering how that could be true?

 

And after Emmett calmed down a Wee bit’, I noticed He and His Booth Mate Neil Hodgson were claiming that Martin now had one hand on the title…

 

Since Martin’s win netted Him twelve points, increasing His championship lead to 29 points, prior to Sunday’s main race.

 

Naturally Bagnaia didn’t roll over, and after a horrible first lap incident. Where Jack Thriller’ Miller was lucky to escape without harm to His legs after Joan Mir had run over them in the melee!

 

Bagnaia who’d kept Martin at bay on the first start, did even better on the restart, and led wire-to-wire for His tenth victory of the season. Although the first four laps were simply scintillating! As Martin did everything possible to pass Bagnaia! Making several lunges with the pair of Ducati riders running side-by-side down the front straight!

 

Yet Bagnaia wasn’t to be denied, and Martin wisely settled for runner-up aftert trying to push late in the race and almost making another costly mistake!

 

Thus, the points table sees Martin lead Bagnaia by 24 points (485-461) prior to the Saturday Sprint race at Barcelona. With a maximum of 37 points still on offer. And I won’t try figuring any of the points permutations. Other than Jorge Martin is the 2024 MotoGP Champion provided He has a 26 point lead on Sunday.

 

Whilst interestingly, fighting over third place in the championship is Marc Marquez vs. Enea Bastianini. With Marquez replacing the Italian at the Factory Ducati team next year.

 

As Marquez leads by one single point: 369-368! And you know The Beast relishes defeating Marquez before moving to KTM’s Satellite Squad… 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Still just One Seat remaining in Formula 1?

As whose got the Biggest Wallet of All?

 

Leading up to the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit Of The Americas, nee COTA weekend. Scuttlebutt suggested that current Sauber F1 driver Valtteri Bottas was on Pole to retain His seat another year at Sauber. Being the lone, unconfirmed seat for the 2025 F1 season. With the seat remaining open after Carlos Sainz, Jr. rejected Audi’s offer, and went to Williams instead for 2025.

 

Although some had said not so fast Valtteri! With the likes of the promising Formula 2 points leader Gabriel Bortoleto being mentioned. Along with current Williams F1 rookie sensation Franco Colapinto. With Mick Schumacher being a perceived longshot.

 

Next, an even more distant long shot was added to the “Spin cycle”. With current Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen’s name being mentioned…

 

Interestingly all three of these Young Turk’ drivers are “tied” to other Formula 1 outfits. With Bortoleto being a McLaren Development Driver member, and Colapinto a Williams F1 Academy driver. Whilst Mick is the current Mercedes GP test and reserve driver. Along with being a current Alpine Sports Car Pilote’ in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

Yet initial scuttlebutt claimed that Bortoleto and Colapinto weren’t available, even though Williams F1 Boss James Vowels has said He’s open to loaning out Colapinto next year; naturally for the right price!

 

While former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner has told Schumacher to go to IndyCar if “Plan A” doesn’t work out! And Hans-Joachim Stuck advises Mick against joining the Sauber/Audi project.

 

As it’ll be somewhat interesting to “See” how this pans out. Or will it just be anti-climatic with the obligatory press release telling us how excited Bottas is to get to work at Sauber next season? For which we all hold our breaths, as Mattia Binotto says He’d like to confirm the second driver by mid-November…

 

Meanwhile in other Audi ownership news regarding Sauber. Surely you’ve all read or heard that management shook up the pecking order during this summer. With the dismissals of Audi’s Sauber project manager (CEO) Andreas Seidl and Sauber Chairman of the Board Oliver Hossman.

 

Installing former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto as the new team leader. As Binotto, who shortly turns 55 becomes it’s Chief Operation and Chief Technical Officer. While Gernot dollner replaces Hossman as Chairman of all Sauber companies.

 

Longtime Red Bull Racing F1 member, and the team’s current Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, whose been at the team forever! Will become Sauber’s new Team Principal next year. As the staff exodus from Red Bull continues. Hmm, like Rats leaving a Sinking Ship?

 

Whilst two more key team additions have been announced. With former Ferrari F1 Sporting director and strategist  Inaki Rueda, who previously worked with Binotto. As Rueda will become the team’s new Sporting Director, punting Beat Zehnder to a role with the legacy side of Sauber.

 

While Giampaolo Dall’Ara will become the team’s new Race Engineering boss at the Hinwil factory. Not to be cornfuzed with the legednous’ Giampaolo Dallara, the 87yr old proprietor of Dallara Automobili.

 

As Dall’Ara is a former Sauber employee who’s been running His own consulting company since 2016, according to Racer’s Chris Medland.

 

Now the only question remaining, is can Sauber pull itself up from last upon the F1 Grid?

 

But that was before reading more scuttlebutt regarding Liam Lawson’s arrival at Racing Bulls as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement. Suggesting it could trigger a contest between the Kiwi’ and RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda, to potentially become Max Verstappen’s teammate next year. As the rumours persist that Checo’, aka Sergio Perez is still on shaky ground regarding His new two year contract extension. With Red Bull’s Pied Piper Chris Horner sending mixed signals about will He, won’t He return next year?

 

While there was quite the kerfuffle upon social media over what appeared to be Lawson giving Perez the middle finger at 300 clicks’. (186mph) With the Kiwi’ youngster telling Checo He’s Number One in Mexico City, Ole! As the two protagonists fought over P17 on the grid…

 

Thus, if one of the two Racing Bulls drivers were promoted, this would leave a seat open for current FIA F2 and Red Bull Junior driver Isack Hajar. So may be there’s still two seats not confirmed for 2025 yet? You make the call.

 

While the latest rumour over the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend was that McLaren has agreed to release Gabriel Bortoledo from His contract in order to go to Audi on a long term deal. As Sauber made official what had been reported on Wednesday, November 6th, selecting Bordoleto as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate beginning in 2025.

 

Meaning that “serve” has moved to Red Bull to decide over who’ll partner Max next year? With Horner having dropped by the Williams Hospitality “Villa” over the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend to chat with Team Principal James Vowles over Franco Colapinto’s availability… 

Monday, November 11, 2024

Petit Le Mans Postscript

As it was another Nail biting finish, especially for those with malfunctioning Headlights!

 

Yeah, the chequered flag has long flown upon this year’s epic 27th Petit Le Mans ten hours endurance race. Which once again will be my race of the year! For which I’m aiming for reflecting upon some of its too numerous exploits…

 

Tuning in for earnest with five and a quarter hours remaining, I learned that IndyCar’s Colton Herta was racing aboard the No. 40 WTR Andretti Acura ARX-06 in the GTP category. Being one lap down, ahead of Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon in the team’s #01 Cadillac V-Series.R.

 

As it was fascinating listening to IMSA Radio’s John Hindhaugh and Jeremy Shaw marvel over how Herta had not only unlapped Himself, but pulled out a 15-plus second lead over thee “Iceman 2.0”, nee Dixon during the middle of the race!

 

Yet this was all for naught, as suddenly Herta came racing into the pits, having suffered a punctured right rear tyre! Which then flailed about and caused bodywork damage also…

 

Making me ponder if Herta’s intense pace had been the culprit of His tyre delamination? Whilst Dixon would unlap the #01 Caddy’ later…

 

As there were a total of four current, Uhm, technically five current IndyCar drivers participating. Including Herta, Dixon, Kyle Kirkwood, Herta’s Andretti Global teammate. Junco Hollinger Racing’s Romain Grosjean and Dale Coyne Racing aspiring driver Hunter McElrea.

 

As Kirkwood was in the #14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 GTD Pro entry, which retired early. McElrea once again was part of the winning No. 11 TDS Racing LMP2 entry, finishing eighth overall, and eight laps behind the overall winner.

 

Grosjean in the Lamborghini SP63 which ran several laps down, for which I don’t know the reason why? Finished 15th overall, behind the first seven LMP2 entries, Yikes!

 

I also enjoy the global aspect of Petit Le Mans, including its Femme Fatales contingent, for which multiple competed this year. As I caught pitlane interviews with two who were making  their Petit debuts. Including one I’d never heard of before named Lilou Wadoux, a 23yr old French racing driver. As Wadoux was part of the #88 Richard Mille AF Corse Oreca-Gibson LMP2 lineup. With the team contesting all of the IMSA WeatherTech Endurance rounds.

 

Little did I know until “reading” Her Bio, Wadoux is a rising star who was part of the LMP2 class winning entry at this year’s Six Hours of Watkins Glen. With the entry finishing seventh in class and P13 overall.

 

Also making Her Petit Le Mans debut was former A.J. foyt IndyCar driver Tatiana Calderon aboard the No. 66 Gradient Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 in the GT Daytona class. (GTD) Partnering fellow le Femme Sheena Monk and Stevan McAleer.

 

As I’m not sure what it says about the racecourse, Eh? As Tatiana claimed it was scary racing out there! Presumably due to the insane amount of nonstop “traffic”. Finishing P39 overall, some 37-laps behind.

 

And then there was the #83 Iron Dames Lamborghini Huracan GT3 entry, also in the GTD class with its regular Femme fatales lineup of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting. Finishing P41 overall, 39-laps behind and one place adrift of the No. 66 Gradient Acura NSX in the GTD class.

 

Another winning Indy NXT driver and aspiring IndyCar racer in the field was Mattie B’, aka Matthew Brabham piloting the No. 99 AO Racing’s Oreca-Gibson LMP2 entry. Although Brabham’s IndyCar aspirations seem to have stalled.

 

Whilst I don’t know if it was my ears playing tricks upon me? As I thought I heard Sparky’, aka Devlin DeFrancesco being interviewed late in the race? Although the Froggy’ sounding driver mentioned He was still fighting a Flu and that Ibuprofen was His “Friend”. And He didn’t feel anything when driving the car!

 

As DeFrancesco, a former Andretti Global IndyCar driver was part of Forte Racing’s No. 78 GTD Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2 squad. While fellow Hoser’, err Kuhnuck’ thee Mayor of Hinchtown’, aka James Hinchcliffe was behind the keyboard of the No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports McLaren 720s GTD Pro entry. As Hinch’ contested the team’s endurance rounds this season…

 

Don’t know all of the gyrations that the #01 Cadd-Oh-lacc’ endured during the race. Besides spending the night hours as a one headlight cyclops! Apparently suffering from a sensor issue that took multiple pitlane trips to fix and dropping them one lap down, or was it two?

 

But after the race’s final full course caution, for a scary three car crash! Triggered by Cory Lewis’s #55 Mustang stranded with no headlights! The race became quite riveting…

 

As Renger van der Zande in the #01 Caddy’ that was driving with just its left headlight working, made a brazen pass for the lead of the race over Nick Tandy’s Penske Porsche 963 with under 20mins remaining? And then you felt the palpable tension of Hindhaugh suddenly screaming over how the No. 01’s lights had All gone out with three minutes remaining and He’ll have to immediately come to pitlane!

 

Yet the lights came back on, and then they winked at us, with the left going out and right coming on, before all four lights came on briefly across the stripe! Giving Chip Ganassi Racing and full season drivers van der Zande and Sebastien Bourdais the Fairytale sendoff for their final Cadillac outing!

 

Even more gripping was the fact that due to a niggling mechanical malady; errant steering wheel connection putting the GTD Pro Drivers Championship into question. With Laurin Heinrich and His No. 77 “Rexi” Dinosaur themed AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R unable to finish any better than eleventh.

 

Heart of Racing’s Ross Gunn needed to finish second in order to steal the Drivers title! For which Gunn’s Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 entry was leading the race prior to Lewis’s incident!

 

Yet the eventual first and second place GTD Pro entry’s; the No. 19 Iron Lynx Lambo’ with Jordan Pepper and No. 62 Risi competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 with Daniel Serra at their controls, both managed to duck into the pits for their final pitstop before the yellow came out…

 

As Gunn spent the race’s final 35mins harrying Serra in the second place Ferrari. Closing to as close as naught-three second (0.3)  adrift in third place, but could never find a way around the Prancing Horse!

 

Thus Gunn came up four points shy of snatching the title! Ironically due to Heinrich’s Pole position’s extra five points, giving Him the necessary “cushion” over Gunn’s unexpected triumph…

 

While the GTD class winners also took the lead late in the race I believe. As the No. 34 Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 of Albert Costa, Manny Franco and Cedric Sbirrazzuoli were victorious. And yes, that’s the same Conquest Racing of longtime team owner and former IndyCar driver Eric Bachelart. 

Thursday, November 7, 2024

RETRO: Remembering BMW’s Le Mans Winner

As today’s Hybrid BMW V-8 racecar is a totally different Animal…

 

As noted, BMW effectively “scrapped” it’s V-12 LM racecar following it’s unsuccessful debut at the 1998 24 Heurs du Mans. Selling chassis No. 1 to German racer Thomas Bscher, and chassis No. 2 to Japan’s Team Goh.

 

As both of these chassis would compete in the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans race with mixed results…

 

While the V-12 LMR retained it’s 6.0-litre normally aspirated lump’, the rest of the car was completely redesigned. With all new bodywork to correct it’s aerodynamic deficiencies. Most notably it’s cooling ducts being moved topside, vs. the V-12 LM’s being on the chassis bottom and being compromised by track heat.

 

The LMR’s most striking feature had to be the use of a rules loophole to fashion a single seater style roll hoop just behind the driver’s helmet, which allowed for better airflow to it’s rear wing. Not to mention causing less drag. As the LMR is claimed to have reached 342 kph on the Mulsanne straight. Or 214mph for us metrically challenged Yanks’, Aye Karumba!

 

A further four chassis were built, with Schnitzer Motorsport running the entries, including a two car effort for the newly created American Le Mans Series. (ALMS) With the new LMR making it’s racing debut at that year’s 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

The car was fast, claiming it’s maiden Pole position, with both Schnitzer entries running up front, before the No. 43 suffered a massive crash. Effectively writing off this chassis! While the No. 42 with Jorg Muller, Tom Kristensen and JJ Letho were victorious.

 

Next Schnitzer showed up at Circuit de la Sarthe with three BMW V-12 LMR’s for the requisite test day. With the Nos 15-17. The third LMR chassis being the striking BMW #16 Art Car designed by Jenny Holzer. Yet that would be it’s lone outing at Le Mans.

 

Having scribbled about BMW’s Art Cars in a multi-part tome, for which I’ll point Y’all to one of these No Fenders stories below…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2022/04/retro-more-bmw-competition-art-cars.html

 

Thus the two V-12 LMr’s (Nos. 15 & 17) lined-up third and sixth on the grid when the Tricolour was waved on June 12, 1999. As both cars proved reliable and able to circulate at the sharp end. Before JJ Letho driving the No. 17 reportedly suffered a struck throttle late in the race, crashing out!

 

This left Yannick Dalmas, Joachim Winkelhock and Pierluigi Martini’s No. 15 in the lead, which they retained to the chequered flag – despite heavy pressure from one of the Toyota GT-1’s, before it suffered a high speed tyre puncture!

 

Ironically, the second highest finishing BMW was the No. 18 Price + Bscher BMW V-12 LM in fifth overall. With Thomas Bscher, Bill Auberlen and Steve Soper at it’s controls, albeit 20 laps behind the winner.

 

The No. 19 Team Goh privateer V-12 LM entry retired on lap-223 with gearbox issues. Having just learned that part of it’s Japanese drivers trio included King Hiro’, aka Hiro Matsushita! A name Hardcore IndyCar Fans should remember.

 

Now I’m feeling S-L-O-W! Since I’ve just finally realized that’s the exact same Team Goh that partnered with Dale Coyne Wayback’ in 2020 to run some rookie IndyCar driver named Alex Palou…

 

Whilst Team Goh won the 2004 24 Heurs du Mans with a privateer Audi R8 with Seiji Ara and Audi Factory drivers Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello behind the wheel. As it was then “Mr. Le Mans” fifth consecutive Le Mans victory!

 

Meanwhile, after winning Le Mans, “Team Schnitzer” returned to the ALMS, enroute to winning a further three races that season. With JJ Letho and Steve Soper in the #42 winning at Sears Point, Laguna Seca and Las Vegas’s November 7th season finale.

 

The year 2000 would be BMW’s swan song for it’s Werks’ prototype V-12 LMR. Although sadly, BMW chose not to defend its 24 Heurs du Mans victory, having checked that box. Instead focusing upon its new Formula 1 effort with Williams F1. Supplying Sir Frank 3.0-litre normally aspirated V-10 lumps’.

 

Schnitzer Motorsport did campaign two cars in that year’s ALMS season. Yet the Sebring 12 Hours season opening round saw Audi flexing its muscles with its soon dominant Audi R8. Seeing the BMW’s settling for third and fourth place finishes.

 

The BMW V-12 LMR would play second fiddle to the Audi R8 the entire 2000 ALMS season. Scoring its final two wins at Charlotte and Silverstone, which Audi had skipped in order to prepare for Le Mans.

 

As the No. 42 with JJ Letho and new teammate Jorg Muller won both races. Whilst its Seester’ No. 43 entry of Jean-Marc Gounon and Bill Auberlen fought for “crumbs”.

 

Meanwhile, Thomas Bscher who’d campaigned His BMW V-12LM, prepared by David Price Racing in the 1999 ALMS season. Returned to Le Mans one final time, being the lone BMW Le Mans Prototype (LMP1) entry for 2000, with the chassis once again prepared by David Price Racing.

 

Yet the #15 entry with Bscher, Geoff Lees and Jean-Marc Gounon behind its keyboard retired on lap 180 with gearbox damage, due to an accident. Before the car made its final race outing later that Fall at the Nurburgring. Followed by Bscher retiring from racing.

 

Although Team Goh’s V-12 LM was supposedly heavily updated by Dome, the car never raced again…

 

For that year’s Petit Le Mans, BMW brought the V-12 LMR Art Car out of mothballs, seeing three V-12 LMR’s entered at Road Atlanta. As the Art Car would be the only LMR to finish in fifth place – during its lone race outing.

 

Schnitzer ran the final two North American ALMS races, finishing a best of third behind both Audi R8’s again. Before BMW decided to skip the season finale Australian round. Closing the book upon the V-12 Le Mans Prototype effort.

 

Thus it would be nearly a quarter of a century before BMW returned to Circuit de la Sarthe with a factory Le Mans Prototype category. This being the BMW M Hybrid V-8 which made its debut at the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona. With longtime BMW partner Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing running the program’s two Le Mans Daytona Hybrid-spec (LMDH) racecars.

 

Having scribbled about the BMW M Hybrid V-8 and its German IMSA GTP contemporary in the following No Fenders tome…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2023/01/rolex-24-iconic-german-brands-join-gtp.html

 

With Belgium’s multiple championships winning W Racing Team, better known as WRT campaigning a brace of BMW M Hybrid v-8’s in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar class under the banner of BMW M Team WRT. 

Monday, November 4, 2024

RETRO: Remembering some of BMW’s Sports Racing Cars

As I can only imagine how glorious those BMW V-12 lumps sounded at full “Chat” upon thoust Mulssane Straight!

 

Another story waylaid in the mountainous driftwood piles upon thoust Isle ‘O Nofendersville. Shipwrecked some five years Mateys…

 

As it seems apropos to uncork this No Fenders yarn now that BMW M Team RLL has just been victorious at the Battle on The Bricks this fall.

 

Although I didn’t painstakingly go thru the two prior years Le Mans results. I did manage to discover that a total of three BMW 328 2.0-liter Inline six cylinder racecars contested the 1939 24 Heurs du Mans.  With All three finishing in the top ten overall. With the top BMW entry finishing fifth overall and first in class.

 

Reportedly this was the Bavarian Motor Werks’ initial automobile racing car, in what’s ultimately become a long, storied Motorsports activity, which includes winning the 1983 Formula 1 World Championship. Whilst it’s hard to believe it’s now a quarter century since they won at Circuit de la Sarthe!

 

Hardcore Sports Cars enthusiasts will presumably know that the BMW V-12 LM Prototype racecar, a collabouration between BMW and Williams Grand Prix Engineering, owes it’s linage to McLaren’s F1 GTR.

 

Although the McLaren F1 GTR was a development of the initial Gordon Murray designed McLaren F1 road car, which utilized a BMW S70/2 naturally aspirated V-12 lump’ at just over six litres.

 

After much pressure from aspiring privateer racers, Murray relented and produced the McLaren F1 GTR racing version, which sported an updated BMW S70/3 DOHC 6.0-litre normally aspirated v-12 lump. Competing in such series as the BPR Global GT Series, which then became the FIA GT Championship amongst others.  With these GT1 racecars being the top class at le 24 Heurs du Mans in the mid-1990’s.

 

Suffice it to say, without rehashing the entire McLaren F1 GTR’s history. The #59 car won the 1995 24 Heurs du Mans at the hands of JJ Letho, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya. Yet by 1997 was deemed “obsolete”, with McLaren withdrawing from Sports Car racing.

 

Yet BMW wasn’t ready to Pull-the-Pin’ upon Sports car racing, and hence hired Sir frank’s (Williams) outfit to design a full blooded LMP1 spec prototype racecar utilizing it’s V-12 engine.

 

Thus Williams produced the BMW V-12 LM racecar for the 1998 24 Heurs du Mans. With two prototype chassis being built. Campaigned by longtime BMW Factory team Schnitzer Motorsport, although entered under the banner of Team BMW Motorsport.

 

No idea how the numbering sequence was done, unless these were just the first two LMP1 entrants that year? As car No. 1 featured Hans-Joachim Stuck, Steve Soper. And somebody then relatively unknown named Tom Kristensen, then just a single winner of the race…

 

The No. 2 entry saw Pierluigi Martini, Jochim Winkelhock and Johnny Cecotto behind it’s keyboard.

 

Making it’s debut during the Le Mans test day, the BMW V-12 LM’s were slower than the Werks’ LMGT1 entries of Porsche, Toyota, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. Reportedly clocking in at 11th behind the likes of the Porsche 911 GT1, Nissan R390 GT1, Toyota GT-1 and Mercedes-Benz CLK-GT, which claimed Pole.

 

Pierluigi Martini qualified the No. 2 entry in sixth place, with Tom Kristensen putting the No. 1 in a distant 12th.

 

 

The first BMW V-12 LM to retire from the race was car #2 at a meager 43-laps. While it’s Seester

#1 was retired shortly after, at 60-laps. As both cars suffered from “harmonic: vibrations in their drivetrains and were retired in order to prevent catastrophic detonation!

 

Subsequently it was determined that the chassis suffered from lack of aerodynamics, and more importantly. It suffered cooling issues. Prompting BMW to discard the two V-12 LM chassis in favour of a total redesign for the next year’s competition.

 

On a somewhat interesting sidenote, or going down another Wabbit’ Hole; You make the Call! Having surfed thru Bill Auberlen’s extensive racing career. Whom I’ve long taken to calling Him Bimmer Billy’, due to His longtime BMW affiliation.

 

Auberlen, Steve O’Rourke and Tim Sugden were that year’s highest finishing powered BMW entry at Le Mans. With their #40 Gulf Team Davidoff McLaren F1 GTR finishing fourth overall.

 

While interestingly, part of Bimmer Bily’s extensive racing exploits – which I’ve previously scribbled about in,

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2023/03/reminiscing-briefly-over-great-bimmer.html

 

Includes being half of the driving Duo that won BM's lone World Sports Car (WSC) victory overall at the 1998 Monterey Sports Car Championship.

 

With Auberlen and Belgium co-driver Didier de Radigues taking the cheqered flag aboard Team Rafanelli’s BMW Motorsport backed Riley & Scott Mk III BMW 4.0-litre V-8 during the Laguna Seca IMSA GT Championship’s season finale. Forbearer of the American Le Mans Series. (ALMS)

 

Reportedly Italian Team Rafanelli (Rafanelli Engineering) was running it’s Riley & Scott prototype that year in the FIA International Sportscar Racing Series (ISRS) as part of BMW’s preparations for racing it’s BMW V-12 LM chassis fulltime in 1999.

 

Yet Rafanelli was replaced by Schnitzer Motorsport instead, racing the BMW V-12 LMR. Including two cars in the ALMS.

 

Yet Team Rafanelli persevered another season with it’s updated Riley & Scott Mk III chassis. Now sporting it’s own aerodynamic revisions, along with switching to a Judd GV 4.0-litre V-10. Winning the 1999 Grand Prix of Atlanta, albeit the Werks BMW V-12LMR’s weren’t present…

    

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Noted Designer Bob Riley take the Chequered Flag

As how many race car Designers also worked on the Apollo Moon project?

 

Cannot help of thinking about Dario Franchitti’s comments about Halloween’s a Shit time of the year due to His friend Greg Moore dying that day in California. Or how Geo. Phillips of Oilpressure fame noted how October saw Dan Wheldon perish in Las Vegas, Tony Renna at Indianapolis and recently noted designer bob Riley.

 

Almost decided against scribblin’ anything about this. Since as typical, I’m late to thee party…

 

Thus I still really don’t know much about the man, other than the late bob Riley was a noted racecar designer. And at the very least, associated with four famous racing cars!

 

Beginning with working upon the shelby American Ford GT40 Mk IV, which won the 1967 24 Heurs du Mans with Dan Gurney and A.J. foyt.

As

 Foyt would go onto hire Riley to design His stable of coyote IndyCar chassis. Most notably the very Coyote that ‘Ol superTex’ drove to his fourth Indianapolis 500 win. But that’s not the Coyote chassis that inspired me to write something upon No Fenders.

 

Nope, it was the final 1981 coyote, bob Riley’s first ground effects Open wheel Racing chassis. And I simply love the bit about how the racecar created so much downforce, they couldn’t find any springs strong enough for it! And had to cut holes in the chassis to relieve pressure…

 

Another racecar Riley and son bill designed was the Intrepid RM-1, also known as the Intrepid GTP or Chevrolet GTP of the early 19990’s, which featured rear wheel covers and a shovel nose. Being known for its predigious amounts of downforce and amazing cornering speeds. But my mind immediately goes to the other TK’, aka Tommy Kendall’s massive accident in this carwhich raced between 1991-93.

 

Another Bob Riley design I wasn’t aware of was the Ford GTP Mustang for IMSA competition, which was a front engine design. And like the Intrepid won just a single race.

 

I was also not aware that it was another Riley design that Kendall utilized to dominate SCCA Pro Racing’s Trans Am series in the 1990’s. When Kendall and Roush Racing blitzed the field with those dominating Ford Mustang “Body Quencher” TA Steeds!

 

Yet when I think of Bob Riley, who passed away on October 24th at the age of 93. I immediately think of the domineering Riley & Scott Mk III Prototypes that ruled the roost in the World Sports Car )WSC) category of IMSA GT and the rival USRRC. Also racing at Le Mans and later in the American Le Mans Series.

 

Riley & Scott was formed in 1990 by Bob Riley and Mark Scott, beginning with Trans Am racecars before focusing upon a World Sports Car design for the upcoming IMSA GT Championship.

 

Following their stillborn Mk II Sports Car design, they were hired to improve Rob Dyson’s Spice Ferrari chassis. With the lessons learned aiding in the design of the Mk III.

 

Dyson Racing debuted the Riley & Scott Mk III at the 1995 24 Hours of Daytona, running two cars and winning a total of five races that season.

 

Part of the Riley & Scott Mk III’s popularity was its accepting multiple normally aspirated engines. Including the likes of ford, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, BMW and the Judd V-10. As the Prototype won its first Rolex 24 in 1996 with Doyle Racing and Oldsmobile. With Wayne Taylor, Scott Sharp and Jim Pace at its keyboard…

 

The following year was when Dyson Racing used a village ‘O drivers to score victory with its Mk III Ford chassis. As I can still vaguely recall the No. 20 entry driving into victory lane with its seven drivers piled aboard it!

 

As Rob Dyson, Elliot forbes-Robinson and John “Not Bo” Schneider were joined by the team’s No. 16 entry of Butch Leitzinger, Andy Wallace, James Weaver and John Paul Jr. after their entry retired on lap 227.

 

Momo Corse and its Ferrari 333 SP, the Riley & Scott Mk III’s main competizione won the ’98 Rolex 24, before Dyson won in 1999, again with its trusty Mk III Ford entry.

 

For 1998, the second iteration of the Mk III was built, which followed with the Mk III C variant racing until 2005. Although Riley and co. deferred work on the MK III while contracted to create the Cadillac North Star factory effort. As the Riley & Scott Mk III would amass nearly 50 victories overall in 130-plus starts!

 

Riley & Scott was acquired by Reynard Cars in 1999. Yet Reynard’s expansion was too quick and they filed for Bankruptcy in 2001. Which not only saw the dissolution of Reynard Cars, but also Riley & Scott.

 

Undaunted by this turn of events, Bob Riley and son Bill continued their success upon forming Riley Technologies in 2001. With subsequent Riley Prototype chassis now designed for the Daytona Prototype (DPi) era winning a further seven Rolex 24 races.

 

The company also “dabbled” in Saloons’, having designed the Speedsource Mazda RX8 that won the 2008 GT Class at the Rolex 24. Along with that year’s BMW M6 and ALMS GT2 category Corvette vs. those dominating Prat & Miller Vettes’.

 

While I last kept track of Riley’s exploits in earnest when running the Werks’ Dodge Viper program between 2012-14. Which culminated with the team winning the Team’s and Drivers championships in the American Le mans Series in 2014. (ALMS) Before Chrysler pulled the plug upon the SRT Viper racing program.

 

As the list goes on and on. For which you’d have to say that Bob Riley definitely left His mark upon motorsports…