Our Force India friend Collin Kolles will contest the International Cup in 2010 with two Audi R10s. This is the second entrant into the new championship, and the second squad of Audis. Audi Sport and now Kolles Audi make up the lineup as of now. The ACO made special breaks to allow the R10 to compete, however the new R15 must conform to new regulations if it hopes to run in ACO sanctioned races. This will see at least two more LMP cars at the Petit Le Mans as the…
Read MoreTag: LeMans
Le Mans – Aston Martin Out Until 2011
Prodrive teamed with Aston Martin will take a one year break from their LMP challenger this year. The team has decided to focus on the 2011 challenger instead of a continuous evolution of the current project. Aston has yet to decide whether or not the car will run in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, however a private team will run one Aston/Lola combo for the European Le Mans Series. Signature-Plus, a French outfit, will run the Aston Lola for the 2010 season. However, it is unknown at this time…
Read MoreEpisode 19 – Open Paddock Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin us this week as we give out the first annual openpaddock.net awards. Car of the year, driver of the year, and the first annual OP lifetime of suck achievement award. We also go over all of this weeks hot news and keep you in the loop.
Read MoreLe Mans – ORECA Choose Peugeot
As customer cars become even more popular in the realm of Le Mans, ORECA have announced today that they will now run with the Peugeot 908 for the 2010 season. ORECA who typically run their own car in a variety of motorsport disciplines, have teamed with Peugeot to create the French manufacturers second customer team behind Pescarolo. The 908 is currently at the end of its development phase is a proven winner that won both the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as the Petit Le Mans here in…
Read MoreLe Mans – Highcroft and Acura 2010
While we await formal news about Acura’s factory involvement with the American Le Mans series, the Patron Highcroft team has announced they will stay with the Acura. The car they chose is the surprising part. The team has chosen to run the ARX-01C which took Fernandez racing to championship glory in 2009. The article on Autosport states the team will continue to work with Honda Performance Development, however Acura has been relatively quiet since the season ended. Highcroft racing believes that given the performance of LMP2 car at Laguna Seca,…
Read MoreEpisode 16 – Open Paddock Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin us this week as we talk about Jenson to McLaren, Mercedes GP as well as a whole host of F1 news topics. Will Power goes full time in the IndyCar series and Ford tells the IRC to get lost. As always we try to solve IndyCar’s problems because they obviously cannot do it themselves. **NOTE: I broke my headset 30 seconds before recording the show, so the sound may not be up to par…thats what happens when you try and act like Kimi.
Read MoreEpisode 15 – Open Paddock Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis week Mike is back from the Smokies and I try to fight off a nasty cold. We also hit off season news including the new IZOD IndyCar Series as well as discuss the Indy 500. Formula 1 news a plenty and all the other news you may have missed….which was not much. Enjoy and have a safe weekend.
Read MoreLe Mans – Acura LMP2 and Europe
The Acura ARX-01b LMP2 challenger is set to make its European debut next year in the hands of the JAS Motorsports team. JAS has been a partner with Honda for the last decade and have won both touring car titles as well as rally titles under the Japanese manufacturer’s banner. The team will take the LMP2 machine into the European Le Mans series and have listed the 24 Hours of Le Mans race as an ultimate goal as well. At this time the Milan based squad will field one car…
Read MoreEpisode 14 – Open Paddock Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Mike and myself as we try and wrap our head around Toyota and Bridgestone pull outs. We talk about Renault and other ramifications of today’s huge news. We also talk RHR to AGR? as well as IndyCar title sponsor stuff. Gronholm may be back the WRC and Pirelli may not be. All huge news today and no signs of a slow down anytime soon.
Read MoreLe Mans – Sharp Leaves Highcroft
It was announced just a couple weeks ago that Scott Sharp would be forming his own GT2 Ferrari team to compete in the American Le Mans series; however at the time he stated he would still drive the Patron Highcroft Acura in LMP1. Funny how quickly things change. Scott announced today that he will not defend his LMP1 crown and will instead race for his private entry team known as Extreme Speed Racing. The tea is further going to expand into a two car effort with Sharp and Patron CEO…
Read More