Two Audi R18 “Evolution 2” racers made their first public appearance following the 12 hours of Sebring. All ten Audi drivers were involved in the four day test and the R15 was used to set test benchmarks. According to Audi all three cars generated “thousands of test kilometers to generate important findings relating to vehicle setup, aerodynamics, tires, cooling, and reliability.” The R18’s were scheduled to arrive at Audi Sport in Ingolstadt, Germany, Monday and will be dismantled and analyzed. It’s been reported that one of the R18 “Evolution 2” bested Peugeots…
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Updates on sports car racing in European Le Mans Series, World Endurance Championship, American Le Mans Series, and United SportsCar Championship
BMW Announce ILMC GTE Contenders
BMW Team Schnitzer will contest the European and China rounds of the ILMC. Drivers for the Team Schnitzer No. 55 BMW M3 GT are Augusto Farfus (BR) and Jörg Müller (DE). ALMS BMW Team RLL driver Dirk Werner (DE) will join them at Le Mans. Lead driver for the second Team Schnitzer (No. 56) BMW M3 GT will be three time world touring car champion Andy Priaulx (GB). Priaulx will be reunited with his Sebring winning teammates, Dirk Muller and Joey Hand at Le Mans. Hand, winner at the Rolex…
Read MoreALMS – Michelotto Test Ferrari 458 at Sebring
While the Risi Competizione 458 that raced at Sebring was headed back to the team’s Houston shop to begin preparations for Long Beach in two weeks, another 458 Italia was being purposely “beat up” at the circuit this week. The unliveried 458 arrived at the track race week from Michelotto, Ferrari’s division responsible for GT and sports prototype racing efforts and development. The car was secured in the Risi transporter, out of sight from the throng of fans and media during the race. That is until Monday when the car…
Read MoreALMS – The 12 Hours of Sebring in Pictures
OpenPaddock.net was fortunate enough to have both Brie Rentz, one half of the ALMSChicks, and Ken Poe down at the Sebring International Raceway providing photography for us of the 12 Hours of Sebring. Ken’s photos and some of Brie’s are on our site here under the Photo Galleries, and a TON of Brie’s pics are on our Flickr site. Here are slideshows of each of these sets. Enjoy! Photos stored locally by Ken and Brie 2011 Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring – Friday Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR. 2011 Mobil…
Read MoreALMSChicks – Sebring: Fan Frenzy
There is just something about the 12 Hours of Sebring. We felt it the first time we stepped foot onto the grounds, though we knew next to nothing about the historic event. It is like nothing you have ever experienced before. Every year In mid-March, people from all over the world converge on Sebring, Florida to see Audi, Porsche, Peugeot, and dozens of other brands showcase the latest in racing technology. Whether one is coming to to watch these spectacular cars or attending for the carnival-like atmosphere, there is something…
Read MoreOP-Ed – The 90 Minutes of Sebring
This past weekend, we here at OpenPaddock were blessed to have the ALMSChicks, Heidi and Brie covering the season opener for the American Le Mans Series and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 12 Hours of Sebring, and to have Ken Poe providing additional photos. Had it not been for them, we would have been in the dark when it comes to this most historic American sports car endurance race. This season, the series switched broadcast partners from the conglomeration of SpeedTV, NBC, and others to ABC/ESPN. Unfortunately, the deal doesn’t…
Read MoreALMSChicks – Friday Sebring Report
We keep waiting for Sebring to let us down. Not because we expect it, but because we have such a great time every time we enter the gates, we keep waiting for it to level out. To not be able to get better. However, today, as usual, beyond exceeded our expectations. We ended up arriving at the track about 6:30 am this morning to pick up our credentials. After a 7 am photographers meeting, it was out to pit road to photograph the sunrise. There are many sights in…
Read MoreOP-ED – ALMS TV Deal A Future Model?
Today’s ALMS TV deal will undoubtedly benefit a series that is trying to pick up the pieces after a economic meltdown had it derailed. The American audience was treated to the premier sports car series via Speed and CBS last season. The upgrade to ESPN/ABC offers a lot more positives than negatives in a time where sponsor air time is key. For a series like ALMS that needs more sponsors, this could prove to be a dream come true. The deal today came from a healthy marriage between ALMS and…
Read MoreLe Mans – ALMS Reaches Multi-Year TV, Digital Deal with ESPN and ABC
FROM: American Le Mans Series The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón announced today a ground-breaking, multi-year broadcast and digital agreement with ESPN that ALMS President/CEO Scott Atherton is calling “a game changer.” The innovative deal involves televising the world’s premier sports car series over several ESPN programming and media platforms, including ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com. Intersport, an award-winning media and marketing agency, represented the Series in the new television and digital agreement with ESPN. The core of the ALMS’ new innovative broadcast and digital package will deliver…
Read MoreLe Mans – Initial Thoughts on the R18
German marque Audi has released its 2011 challenger the R18. While 2010 was a bittersweet year for the squad and its R15 challenger, the team has vowed to impress not only the fans but its French rivals as well. I will preface the article by saying I am in no way a car designer or engineer but did want to comment on this car. I waited and waited Friday as I followed my tweet stream of the press conference provided by @dsceditor. The coverage was excellent and it was a…
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