sign in sign up
<<
Home , 12 Hours of Sebring, 2008 Nikon Indy 300, 2010 12 Hours of Sebring, 2010 24 Hours of Spa, 2017 Petit Le Mans, Danny Watts

advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] contents 54 Photo:

Feature Feature Feature Situation: What is the past and Abnormal future? future Page 52 Page 19 Page 46 Resources are getting pretty Alex Roache looks forward How will today’s sportscar scarce on this planet: Jake to what technologies are series be viewed in the Yorath looks at how scared shaping the future of sport- future? Dan Bathie investi- we should probably be. scar racing. gates. contents

l’endurance is: Jake Yorath (editor) Twitter: Alex Roache (deputy editor) @lendurancelive Dan Bathie (sub editor) Brecht Decancq (photographer) Facebook: James Boone (photographer) facebook.com/lendurance

Events Events Preview March World round Sebring 12 highlights up Hours Page 26 Page 68 Page 28 Check out what’s happening All the latest bitesize re- The this coming month with our ports from the world of starts in Florida in March. handy events matrix. sportscar racing. Jack Evans looks at a vin- tage field.

26 In focus artists' impressions The l’endurance photographers share some of their favourite photos from 2010, from Sebring, to Spa, to Silverstone.

8 10 14

“The exit of Chapel corner “Why? It's the most unexpect- “The high banked turns at at Silverstone is a wonderful ed shot, the car just stopped Daytona present a unique op- place to stand. A V8 in the and I was at the right place. portunity for sports car pho- back of a Mosler is thumping I only had about five seconds tography as there aren't many its pistons frantically in a fan- before al the smoke would be tracks where you can get kind tastic rhythmic sound at this vaporize and just captured it of high angle shot of the car point.” the right moment.” (unless you have access to shoot from a helicopter). The Dan Bathie Brecht Decancq Team is legen- dary at the Daytona 24 which, for me, adds to the impact of the image.”

James Boone artists' impressions The l’endurance photographers share some of their favourite photos from 2010, from Sebring, to Spa, to Silverstone.

16 20

“'s This photo will for me always en route to LMP2 class victory be my favourite. It’s a nice at the 1000km of Silverstone. photo, one I am particularly The circuit's new Arena sec- proud of. But the reason tion may be fairly bland to it’s my favourite is because look at, but it offers some of what my good friend Neil interesting angles and oppor- Tozer said when he saw it; tunities for photographers.” “Fuck, I’ll give up now.”

Alex Roache Jake Yorath In Artists’ Impressions Dan Bathie used a Nikon D50 and 70-200 F4-5.6 focus Nikkor. Shutter speed 1/20th at F18.

In Artists’ Impressions Brecht Decancq used a Nikon D300s and 70-210 focus F2.8 Nikkor. Shutter speed 1/200th at F2.8.

Speed chills l'endurance are going to Le Mans this year. We’re going with Speed Chills. You should too. speedchills.com Speed chills l'endurance are going to Le Mans this year. We’re going with Speed Chills. You should too. speedchills.com In Artists’ Impressions James Boone used a Nikon D40 and 70-210 F4-5.6 focus Nikkor. Shutter speed 1/20th at F4.8.

In Artists’ Impressions Alex Roache used a Canon 40D and 70-200 F2.8 focus Canon. Shutter speed 1/10th at F25. advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] In Artists’ Impressions Jake Yorath used a Nikon D200 and 80-200 F2.8 focus Nikkor. Shutter speed 1/30th at F10.

In Sheik Zayed Road. Dubai, 2am. James Lipman used a Nikon D3 and 18-70 F2.8 Nik- focus kor. Shutter speed 1/8th at F4. advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] March This month, l’endurance photographers will be at the British GT Media Day, and the Sebring 12 hours. [email protected]

British GT Grand Am events Media day Grand Prix of Silverstone, March 8 Miami Round 2 The Avon Tyres British GT Homestead, March 4-5 Championship returns for 2011 with a media day at After a roaring start at the . Invited Daytona 24 Hours produced media only. fantastic racing across the field, Grand Am’s regular season begins at Homestead Le Mans Series Speedway for the Miami Grand Prix. Test Days The big names may be off Paul Ricard, March 11-12 doing their regular NASCAR, IndyCar or punditry, but it Europe’s premier endurance still promises to be a crack- racing series is staging a test er with no shortage of talent day again, though numbers to provide the scintillating may be down with Sebring action that this series is so just one week later. well known for.

Must ALMS + ILMC see Sebring 12 Hours Round 1 Sebring, March 16-19

The Sebring 12 Hours needs no introduction and again, the ALMS curtain raiser looks set to be a classic. Featuring argu- ably the world’s best GT2 class alongside an .v. battle set to thrill again, this is an event not to be missed.

UK Coverage: TV TBC, radio at RadioLeMans.com all four days including full 12 hour broadcast. events Photo: DPPI/ GT1World.com GT1 World hot Abu Dhabi Round 1 Yas Marina Circuit, March 26-27 pick

The FIA GT1 World Championship heads over to the Emirates to begin its 2011 tour. Expect fast paced action and more overtaking than the last ten years of .

UK Coverage: Live on GT1World.com/tv Photo: James Boone alms clock watchers

ebring is part of the For years the twelve hours lenge the reigning Sebring win- ALMS. It is part of the has been the dress rehears- ners Peugeot after sitting out ILMC. But all official se- al for the 24. It is no coinci- the 2010 race, but the French ries aside, it is part of dence that over 30 of Sebring’s team plans to fight back with SLe Mans. The bright sun and record-tying 59-car grid are a pair of brand-new factory palm trees can be deceiving. headed to France this July. It 908s, in addition to a year-old The pickup trucks and coun- is the second most important 908 HDi FAP in the hands of try music may seem better race of the year, a place to their partner team, Mat- suited to a NASCAR race than test new machinery, new spir- mut. Stephane Sarrazin and this French endurance clas- its, new enemies. The location , both winners sic, but you only have to look may be Sebring, Florida, but of 2010’s , will at the track to see a , the spirit is La Sarthe; the race team with Jaguar or , and it is Le Mans. in the number eight car, while all comes flooding back. Audi will return to chal- , Alexander Half the length definitely does not mean half the action at the Se- bring 12 Hours. At the start of another American Le Mans series, clock watchers Jack Evans looks at the major players for this year’s event. Photo: James Boone

Wurz, and Marc Gené look to Plus, in Florida. The Le Mans- defend their Sebring win in the winning trio of Mike Rockenfel- number 7. Only Nicolas Lapi- ler, , and Timo erre and Loïc Duval have been Bernhard will run the number named to pilot the number 10 1. 2009 Sebring winners Tom sebring is part Oreca, as a third driver is yet Kristensen, , to be confirmed. and Allan McNish will reunite of the alms. Audi is expected to race their in the number 2. the ilmc. but recently-unveiled R18 coupe It’s easily one of the great “ for the first time at the 1000 racing rivalries of the decade. all that aside, Km of Spa-Francorchamps this Audi’s new car was not ready May, and will run an upgraded in time for last year’s race, it is part interim model of the success- and their appeals to run an of le mans ful R15 TDI, the R15 TDI Plus outdated model were vetoed

Photo: James Boone Cytosport switch to Aston Martin for 2011, bringing aural sex to the states once more. Audi are saving their R18 for the Spa 1000kms and run the R15++ Photo: James Boone

by the eventual winners. Peu- While most of the attention ing ALMS champions Patron geot’s triple-engine-blowout will be on the two great rivals, . With ex-Peu- and suspension failure handed they are not the only proto- geot stars and the German team a podium types going for points. Simon Pageneaud joining Ma- sweep at the 24 Hours. Audi After two years with Porsche rino Franchitti at the wheel of then lost Petit Le Mans after a and a solid second place in the the HPD ARX-01e, the team is clever strategy by “The Lion” 2010 American Le Mans Series, looking to capture a third con- saw McNish stuck behind the Muscle Milk Team Cytosport secutive LMP title. second, noncompetitive 908. will be making the switch to an Muscle Milk and Highcroft Things only got worse when a Aston Martin Lola B08/62. In are the two quickest ALMS “wardrobe malfunction” blind- the hands of Porsche and Audi regulars, so their fight behind ed the Scot’s teammate and veteran , the new the faster-paced Audi/Peugeot forced an early driver change, Muscle Milk AMR set the fast- battle will be a close run for dropping Audi to their eventual est lap for all four days of the long term points outside of the third place. With both of these Sebring winter test. podium. With just 23 points be- teams fighting for Le Mans su- Muscle Milk ran in the LMP2 tween the two at last season’s premacy, an exciting race is as- category last year, but will end, a new rivalry may be in sured as long as they both last. step up to P1 alongside reign- the works, and the end of the team’s dominance could Finally, there comes Swiss class which, over the years, has begin. team . Their produced some of the ALMS’s A second Aston Martin will relationship with may greatest finishes. Think back to be run as a factory car in the be in its infancy, but the fact Sebring 2007, where Jörg Berg- iconic blue and orange seen that the team has been cho- meister’s Porsche swapped the on the 007 and 009 cars at Le sen by the Japanese car gi- lead back and forth with Jaime Mans. Aston’s single-car effort ant over plenty of other can- Melo’s Ferrari one last time at last year’s Sebring was the didates sends positive signals. through the famous Sunset Cor- only real challenge to the two With the strong Lola chassis ner before losing by less than a , eventually coming and drivers and Jer- car length. Or, more recently, in third. What it may lack in oen Bleekemolen joined by the four months ago speed, however, it more than improving Nico Prost, the team when the same Ferrari ran out makes up for in the engine’s could well be set for great of fuel with mere minutes left thrilling whine. things. in the race, handing the win to Other notable P1 challengers While only the prototypes Corvette and the Driver’s title include the Lola from will fight for the overall win, to Flying Lizard. And with class Dyson Racingand a pair of OAK an equally fierce and excit- newcomers BMW and Corvette Racing Pescarolo Judds. ing battle is assured in the GT having two full seasons under the gt class, over the years, “has produced some of the alms' greatest finishes Ferrari and Porsche do battle again, but Risi have the new 458. Photos: James Boone Highcroft step up to P1 with their ARX-01, by dint of new regulations. Photo: James Boone highcroft are looking for a third“ straight lmp title

their belts, the Porsche and Ferrari era looks threatened. 2011 could see the emergence of a new GT dynasty, but it will certainly see a great battle. Risi Competitzione won last year, and has been confirmed alongside Toni Vilan- der in the car. Making its debut at the 12 hours, the new F458 Italia racer will be supplied to a se- lection of the Ferrari’s clients in addition to Risi. Extreme Speed Motorsports will enter a pair and (fea- turing the impressive Makow- iecki and Ortelli combination) a single car. The final 458 goes to European ‘works’ squad AF Corse team, who bring huge punch with Bruni, Fisichella and Kaffer. Flying Lizard Motorsports will continue to run two with last year’s champions Jorg Bergmeister and staying together in the 45. For the fans in the trackside motorhomes, team pride is shown through flags, and the yellow and black skull of the native heroes always flies the highest. Corvette Racing will field two ZR1’s with , Antonio Garcia and new addition in 03 and , and the other new face in the Corvette camp, Richard

Photo: James Boone Corvette have a new livery and new additions to their line up. They are strong, as ever. Westbrook in 04. Their past Panoz Racing in the radical mistakes, including a pit lane Abruzzi Spirit of Le Mans- a car collision last year, have clearly scheduled to race at Petit last taught the team a lesson, as year until it was delayed. they seem to get batter every Sebring is considered Amer- race. ica’s Le Mans; the same but BMW Motorsport has con- different. It’s only 3.7 miles firmed two M3s, a lap, only once around the joins Bill Auberlennd and Dirk clock, petit if you will. There Werner in the 55 while tour- are things here that cannot ing car great is be replicated anywhere else teamed with Dirk Müller and in motorsport. The sight of a in 56. first-corner prototype battle Robertson Racing remains coming out of the Sunset bend. the only team in the ALMS in The smell of gasoline, exhaust, the iconic Ford GT. Save for a and fried chicken. The whine shock pole position at 2009’s of an Aston Martin’s V12 over Petit, the husband-wife duo the rumbling of tires against no race does has struggled in the past. the checked white runway sur- Jaguar RSR is looking to im- face. These are only available le mans prove on a difficult 2010 debut for one weekend a year at a greater season in a pair of XKR’s. Re- racetrack in central Florida. “ liability problems plagued the There is a reason this the sea- justice than cars last year, and the team son opener. Le Mans is a tough finished few races. act to precede, and no race florida's 12 Rookie entries include West does the great 24 Hours justice hours of Yokohama Racing in the Series’ better than the 12 Hours of Se- only LP560-4, and bring. sebring Photo: James Boone Speed chills l'endurance are going to Le Mans this year. We’re going with Speed Chills. You should too. speedchills.com Speed chills l'endurance are going to Le Mans this year. We’re going with Speed Chills. You should too. speedchills.com future perfect? Photo: Porsche Photo: future perfect?

Past Present Future retrogasm bad news hope? Page 17 Page 19 Page 19 Classic racing series are Is the oil really running out? If there is a future to mo- reguarly remarked as ‘the If it is, how quickly is it run- tor racing, then it is in new good old days’. Will today’s ning out? Should we be all technologies. We explore series be the same? that scared, really? the green side of racing. In depth retrogasm Dan Bathie examines how we view the old days and how modern racing will stack up in the future. Is Group C really any better than the Le Mans Series?

his issue is about footage of the great races first memory was visiting Don- the future, so obvi- such as the Daytona 24hr, Se- ington Park in 1997 for the FIA ously I have decided bring and Le Mans, but it was GT Championship: even though to look back at the another race that I fell in love I was six I was instantly hooked past.T Sportscar fans will often with - The . I had on sportscars and subsequently get misty eyed when thinking heard about this race before had visits to Donington as my back to “the good old days” but actually seeing footage birthday treats for the next so that got me thinking, how was something else. A Ferrari five years or so. I look back on will the last few years of 312P being chased by an Alfa the late 90’s early 2000’s with sportscar racing be viewed in 33T3through the beautiful hills fond memories as a result. I the future? (See, I managed and remote small villages of loved the cars that used to to get the future in!) Sicily is simply breath taking, race: McLaren F1’s , Porsche Probably the time that for me no other race can ever 911 GT1’s, Chrysler Vipers and evokes the fondest memories compare to that. It saddens me Lister Storms filled my young is the Group C era. I was born that there will never be a race head. Back then the British GT just as Group C was coming to with quite the same magic Championship was also filled an end so never actually wit- again and that I never got to with thebig GT1 cars.It was nessed the turboed beasts in go and see it for myself. brilliant. Since then the British their prime myself, butseeing This brings me onto the more GT Championship has had a few some of them come back to modern times of racing. My tough years but has recently life at the Le Mans support ra- picked up again and 2011 looks ceI was captivated and spent to have a good entry list. many hours watching old Le Conveniently that brings me Mansvideos online. Motorsport back to theopening question: at least for me is about speed, how will the last few years of colour and noise so the Group sportscar racing be viewed in C cars tick all the boxes. Not the future? Well the FIA GT only were the cars hugely pow- Championship despite being erful in their presence but they dominated by Vitaphone did were draped in some of the I fell in love produce some excitement and most iconic liveries of all time. grid sizes stayed strong right Choosing a favourite is like de- with the up until its end in 2009. The ciding which one of your chil- successor to it the GT1 World dren you like most. I can see targa florio.“ Championship was arguably why they were so popular. it saddens one of the best championships The 1970s were also spe- we have seen in a long while, cial times for sportscar racing me there will large grids and fantastic racing with their own particular am- will surely see people looking biance and beauty.I recently never be a back in years to come and say- came across the film ‘Speed race with ing “That was a great year”. Merchants’which followed the The same can be said forRatel’s 1972 season.Narrated by Vic quite the same other (now less new) creation, Elford and , the the GT3 Championship. In its film shows behind the scenes magic five years it has cemented it- retrogasm Photo: Jake Yorath motorsport is about speed, colour “and noise. group c ticks all the boxes Photo: Dan Bathie self as a brilliant championship, class races were often great the boys from Stuttgart and not just a feeder series for GT1 but everyone except Audi and Maranellocontesting in some while also creating the basis of Peugeot wants to see petrol rather close racing more than many national championships. cars being able to challenge a few times (type “Sebring last His brand new championship, for victory. We will soon see if lap 2007” into YouTube if you the Blanchipain Endurance Se- the new rules do that or not. haven’t already seen it and ries is looking to follow in the 2009 mourned the loss of GT1 watch a brilliant fight to the footsteps of his recent success- at Le Mans, Corvette triumph- flag.) The addition of BMW and es.Ratel seems to have got his ing for the last time in the class Corvette added extra competi- formula right– Ok, so the cars that was often the source of tion to the class which already are performance balanced but the fiercest rivalries and clos- boasted many top marques and look at what Formula One is est racing, mainly between the thus produced fantastic wheel doing to try and create better Pratt and Miller squad and the to wheel racing often right un- racing! British Prodrivecompany. 2010 til the chequered flag. Looking The Le Mans Series while not and GT1 returned to Le Mans back you’ve got to say that the delivering classic racing years this time for the final showing last five years or so have been have had some memorable at the French classic and was great years for sportscar rac- races (mainly at Spa between somewhat fittingly won by a ing; as good as Group C? Prob- Audi and Peugeot!) The diesel car that had been around for ably not, but who knows - in revolution somewhat killed almost as long as the category 20 years we could be witness- LMP1 as one class instead hav- itself, the Saleen S7R. ing an almost silent electric Le ing a separate battle between In recent years GT2 be- Mans and wishing for the good petrol and diesel. The inter- came the class to watch with old days of 2010! advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] In depth Oil. We rely on it for almost everything we do. black gold Jake Yorath gives a little context. Oil. We rely on it for almost everything we do. black gold Jake Yorath gives a little context.

il is probably the and the report concluded that most important cur- a 2017 production level could rency in the modern well be 100 million barrels world. We rely on every day. Oit far more than we probably The cost is also becoming a should and so, here’s a few serious issue. In the UK es- statistics. They make tech- pecially, prices of petrol are nologies like hybrids, biofuels steep, coming it a shade over and hydrogen fuel cells that one and a quarter of your hard much more important. earned pounds for a single litre Oil, unfortunately, is ex- of nectar. Despite attempts tremely inconvenient. It’s by The Organization of the Pe- dirty, it’s expensive and it’s troleum Exporting Countries running out. Let’s start with (OPEC) to keep prices down as how much we use and how low as $22-28 barrel, the price much is left. has risen considerably. As it The Peak Oil Theory is a stands, the highest price per slightly frightening idea. In barrel was recorded on June basic terms, it states that our 30th 2008 - a staggering $128 oil production increases to a per barrel, having risen from peak and then falls away again around the $30 mark in 2003 in a bell curve. Human beings but falling slightly at current (of which there are roughly 6.7 prices. billion) burn 1,000 barrels of With current unrest in the crude oil every single second. middle east, where a large por- In 2007, 85.24 million barrels tion of the world’s oil is found, were of oil were produced that price seems unlikely to every day and the Internation- fall anytime soon. al Energy Agency (IEA) believes So what about sustainability? that this will fall 6.7% every Many studies have now con- year from now. cluded that the Western way of However, some experts still life is either partially or totally believe that the peak is not unsustainable. We are using Oil is yet reached. A 2008 study by oil, specifically, not only faster incovenient. Cambridge Energy Research As- than it is formed in the earth sociates (CERA) showed that, but there are worries we may It's dirty, it's though they agree there is de- soon outstrip the production of “ cline (an average decline per crude itself. expensive and oil field of 4.5% per year), new We’ve simply got to use less. it's running projects over the coming dec- And for that, I hand you over to ade could well offset this fall my colleague... out. In depth future. Tech. Love. Sounds. Technology could well be the key to the future. What does that future hold? Alex Roache comes over all Arthur C. Clarke. he Semmering hill climb of 1900 isn’t exactly considered a landmark event in theT annals of motorsport. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria, the speed trial was dominated by a pair of Daimler Phoenixes in a dis- play of German muscle, but it otherwise passed without in- cident. While the brawn of Daimler won the day, however, it was a lowly entrant by the name of Ferdinand Porsche whose brainchild – the Lohner-Porsche Semper Vivus – is recognised by engineers today as being a century ahead of its time. The 25-year-old had designed and was behind the wheel of the first hybrid racing car ever to enter a motor race. Young Herr Porsche had all the right ideas; it was tech- nology that was holding him

Photo: Porsche back. In a radical departure from the more conventional front-mounted four-cylinder drive systems of the Daimlers and Panhards, Porsche – along with his business partner Jacob Lohner – had devised a mid-en- gined machine with a genera- tor powering two hub-mounted electric motors on each of the steered wheels. It was an ingenious solution. Not only did the front wheels provide drive without the need for heavy transmission com- ponents, they also made the Semper Vivus a powerful, well- balanced, point-and-squirt hill future. Tech. Love. Sounds. Technology could well be the key to the future. What does that future hold? Alex Roache comes over all Arthur C. Clarke. Williams hybrid power looked beyond“ formula one. it was endurance racing's gain Photos: EVCup.com climb car. Its Semmering debut Semper Vivus hybrid project as a ‘test session’ for the GT3 was hampered by unreliability, was abandoned. Hybrid R, but it nevertheless but it had its days in the sun- There’s a satisfying symme- came within a whisker of scor- shine. try, therefore, when you fast- ing an historic victory in last But in an age when a carbon forward 110 years to today’s year’s Nürburgring 24 hours. footprint was what the chim- ‘green’ motorsport scene and Drivers Jörg Bergmeister, Ri- ney sweep left behind, and find Ferdinand Porsche’s lega- chard Lietz, and global warming was about as cy not only at the cutting-edge Martin Ragginger led for over high on the international agen- of eco-friendly racing, but pio- eight hours only to fall victim da as surrender to the British neering an innovation which to a technical issue – ironically, Empire, the Semper Vivus sim- – at a rudimentary level – has with its conventional combus- ply had no place. It was enor- one or two ideas in common tion engine – with the cheq- mously expensive to race com- with his original vision. The uered flag in sight. An impres- pared with conventional cars, German marque’s 911 GT3 Hy- sive run to sixth overall in the and there was no pressing need brid R is very much at the fore- Intercontinental Le Mans Cup’s for such unusual, pricey tech- front of green racing today, 1000kms of Zuhai rounded off nology – no critical CO2 levels, and is already making its mark a decent debut season for the no melting ice cap. The world alongside the clean diesel and car, and in 2011 nothing less was underwhelmed, and the biofuel entries. than regular victories will suf- Porsche was treating 2010 fice for Porsche. So what is it about the tech- nology nestled under the GT3 Hybrid R’s shell that’s got eve- ryone so intrigued? Quite apart from the novelty value of shar- Photos: Porsche

what is it about the technology“ nestled under the GT3 Hybrid R's shell that's got everyone so intrigued? ing the same bedrock theory as an inefficient conversion to an- cepted. Porsche came calling. its century-old ancestor – its other energy form before be- It was F1’s loss, and endur- hybrid system delivers a trans- ing ‘summoned’ by the driver ance racing’s gain. But it nev- mission-less surge of power again via his boost button. ertheless highlighted the per- to the steered wheels via two When the driver hits that ennial problem that has faced electric motors – the Porsche, magic button, the flywheel is environmentally-friendly inno- when it was launched last year, slowed down electromagneti- vation at the leading-edge of was unique on the motorsport cally and delivers the six to motorsport. Everyone in the scene in its use of an electrical eight second 120Kw (160bhp) sport is perfectly aware of the flywheel power generator to boost to the steered wheels threat of increasingly expen- supplement the rear-mounted via the two front-axle-mount- sive and depleting fossil fuels, 480bhp flat-six. ed electric motors – having the rising CO2 emissions and – to The flywheel generator is dual effect of conserving fuel top it all off – the struggling rather different from the bat- and making the GT3 Hybrid R world economy, but the unfor- tery system used in other hy- four-wheel drive (temporarily tunate trend has been for the brids – most notably last year’s at least). It’s hardly surprising oppressive financial climate ALMS podium-scoring Corsa this car chewed up the ‘Ring. and consequent swing toward Motorsport Ginetta-Zytek If this is all sounding a bit cost cutting to be accompanied GZ09HS, which before the GT3 reminiscent of KERS in Formula by governing bodies clinging to Hybrid R burst onto the scene One, then there’s good reason. rigid legislation which stifles was deservedly the most cel- And, in a way, it’s the same change. The result is that a lot ebrated of the various pet- reason why green technology of motorsport is regulated to- rol-electric machines gracing in motorsport isn’t ten years wards inefficiency. sportscar racing. It uses the more advanced than it ought Energy efficient paradigms same principle of ‘regenera- to be – but we’ll get to that in such as the Zytek hybrids and tive braking’ – i.e. harnessing a moment. the GT3 Hybrid R the massive energy dissipated Porsche’s flywheel technol- do a lot to excite, inspire and when the drive stamps on the ogy was developed by Williams draw attention to certain eco- middle pedal – but it’s much Hybrid Power, a division of the friendly initiatives in the sport, more efficient in the way it Grove-based Grand Prix team. but they have all too often uses that energy. It’s more or less the same represented exceptions to the And here’s why: the same technology that would have resource-guzzling rule. electric motors which drive gone into the KERS system in Only now that high-profile the front wheels have their this year’s Williams- racing series – and not just a function reversed under brak- FW33. few teams – have properly ing, recovering the energy and However, because the fuel shifted their weight behind a spinning the centrally-mounted tanks in F1 cars are so huge genuine low carbon agenda is flywheel generator at speeds following the refuelling ban, the establishment likely to be of up to 40,000 rpm. Since the Williams couldn’t fit its more shaken enough to get things kinetic energy is stored me- advanced flywheel KERS sys- really moving on motorsport’s chanically (as rotation energy) tem into the car. So the team green scene. rather than chemically (like in made do with the less efficient Endurance sportscar racing’s a battery), it doesn’t undergo but more flexibly-packaged own American Le Mans Series battery system, and Williams and – thanks to new, more open Hybrid Power looked beyond regulations from the Automo- F1 to other series where the bile Club de L’Ouest (ACO) – its flywheel system would be ac- European counterpart, the Le Mans Series, both stand head and shoulders above other top level categories when it comes to advocating and delivering cleaner technologies for rac- ing. Le mans racing stands head “and shoulders above other top level categories when it comes to cleaner technologies Photo: Christopher Foster This isn’t exactly news for anyone who’s been following these series closely for the past few years, but the sheer amount of press coverage gen- erated by the Porsche 911 GT3 Hybrid R’s outings in the ALMS and LMS at the end of last year – at Road Atlanta and Zuhai re- spectively – is a sign that their emphasis on the environment is creeping slowly but surely into the public awareness. And it’s about time. Back in 2002, the UK’s Motor Indus- try Association (MIA) commis- sioned a study to investigate what role motorsport could play in the development of energy efficient technologies which could filter down onto road cars. It drew a resolute conclu- sion: owing to its history, pres- tige and strong manufacturer involvement, sportscar and GT racing – particularly through its association with the world’s most famous race, the Le Mans 24 hours – is uniquely posi- tioned to lead and promote the advancement of renewable fuels and alternative energy sources. We’re talking hybrids, biofuels, diesel and – eventu- ally – hydrogen-power and pure electric vehicles. Even prior to the MIA verdict, the ALMS fraternity was way ahead of the game. At the birth of the Petit Le Mans in 1998, Panoz Motorsport fielded its Esperante GTR-1 Q9 fitted with an electro-hybrid motor built by British engineering special- ists Zytek in a bid to improve fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, although the series’ regula- tors, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), wel- comed it with open arms, the technology was in its infancy and was far too heavy to give a competitive edge. Panoz and its dominance, was cleaning up theless set a remarkable prec- Zytek received a pat on the at the head of the field, Brit- edent by finishing the race and back for effort, and the system ish squad Team Nasamax raised clocking the fastest top speed was shelved. an eyebrow or two by turning on the Mulsanne Straight. Re- But in a Porsche-esque out a Cosworth-powered Rey- newable fuel had arrived in en- demonstration of ‘what goes nard prototype with something durance racing. around comes around’ in sport- called bioethanol in the fuel Nasamax’s challenge fad- scar racing, the Q9 Hybrid – or tank. ed in the mid noughties, but ‘Sparky’ as it became affec- Burning more cleanly than since then several teams have tionately known – had used a gasoline owing to its high al- picked up the biofuel fuel regenerative braking and bat- cohol content, the bioetha- mantle which in any other tery package similar in prin- nol was produced by distilling racing category might have ciple to Zytek’s Q10 system fermentable organic matter been in danger of fading with which just over a decade later like potatoes, garden beet and them. The introduction of the would claim the first ever hy- Swiss chard. Once the team ‘MICHELIN Green X Challenge’ brid podium had shaken off the unfortunate to the ALMS in 2008 remains a with Corsa Motorsport at Lime but not altogether inaccurate vital milestone in the series’ Rock in 2009. moniker “the car that runs 13-year history, establishing as Evidently hybridisation in on vegetables”, it set about it has a system of recognition sportscar racing is a concept achieving its dream of using and reward for the most envi- which – with the encourage- this revolutionary biofuel to ronmentally-friendly competi- ment of the IMSA and the ACO win Le Mans. tors – calculated by measuring – has come a long way, and it’s And while it didn’t quite work energy consumed, petroleum beginning to find its feet on out that way, Nasamax never- displaced and greenhouse gas- the green carpet of eco-aware es generated – regardless of motorsport. where they finish in the normal Lest we forget, however, points standings. which alternative energy Five different energy sources source is largely responsible battle it out for overall hon- for our traditionally gas-guz- ours in the already-prestigious zling sport developing an en- Green X Challenge: sulphur- vironmental conscience, let’s free diesel, as raced by Audi flashback to 2003 and the and Peugeot; E10 ethanol- opening round of the ALMS at blended fuel, similar to that the . While which was pioneered by Nasa- the Audi R8, at the height of max; Cellulosic E85 (85% etha- Photo: Porsche Photo: Panoz

nol blend), which took the Cor- entrepreneur in pharmaceu- vette Racing C6.R to GT-class ticals industry, he is also the victory in the inaugural Green only man able to boast break- X Challenge; Isobutanol-blend- through victories for biofuel ed fuel, debuted by Dyson Rac- racing cars in two different ing in 2010; and, of course, the top-level endurance series. electro-hybrid systems bolted At the British GT round at into the Porsches and Ginetta- Snetterton in 2007 he steered Zyteks. his Barwell-engineered, E85 It’s an eclectic and exciting Energy bioethanol-fuelled Aston Mar- bunch of race cars and tech- tin DBRS9 GT3 to a landmark nologies if ever there was one, efficient first win against a quality field. and there remains little doubt paradigms do Three years later in the ALMS, over the positive impact the “ a dramatic thriller at Road ALMS’ sustainability initiatives a lot to excite America saw in are having on public awareness the Drayson Racing “Flex Fuel” of green racing. But it nev- and inspire LMP1 Lola – which, in an- ertheless begs the question: other first, was adapted to be where next for motorsport’s but they have able to run on either Cellulosic green agenda? all too often E85 or E10 ethanol – sweep past The answer may well lie with the leading pair on the last lap Lord Paul Drayson of Drayson represented to claim victory. Racing. The team owner-driver And yet despite his success is no stranger to scientific in- exceptions to in developing one renewable novation, particularly where the resource fuel to the point where it can motorsport is concerned – not compete and win at the high- only did the former Minister of guzzling rule. est level, Drayson is a staunch Science make his fortune as an advocate of racing teams be- there remains little doubt over “ the positive impact of the ALMS' sustainability initiatives Photo: Marcel Thomassen Photo: Marcel coming what he refers to as “rolling laboratories” – in other words, platforms for explor- ing and promoting all types of green technologies and alter- native energy sources. With the bioethanol box well and truly ticked, therefore, 2011 seemed the right time for a radical move. And that move came this week with the sur- prise announcement that Dray- son Racing will be withdraw- ing from the ALMS to focus its efforts on winning the world’s first zero-emission, pure elec- tric vehicle race series, the EV Cup. It’s an exciting thought. After all, if it means Drayson will be back in endurance racing again one day harnessing the tech- nologies his team will learn about this year, the sport has a lot to look forward to. Fancy a cutting-edge pure electric Le Mans Prototype? Or maybe a hydrogen fuel cell GT machine in British Racing Green? Whichever way you look at it, motorsport is in the midst of a period of huge uncertain- ty, with exciting ideas bubbling away under its glossy, greener surface, and the simple truth is that nobody can predict which energy source will be powering the winner of the Le Mans 24 hours a century from now. But there is every chance that there’s another Ferdinand Porsche waiting in the wings, ready to plant the seed of an idea that will inspire the next generation of low carbon rac- ing technologies. l’endurance is excited – and you should be, too. advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] advertise with us l'endurance has an international, dedicated audience who appreciate what we do. If you help us out, they'll appreciate you too. [email protected] Grand Am Rolex 24 at Daytona Ganassi complete the 'chip slam' with hard fought Daytona success Daytona International Speedway, Round 1, January 29-30 By Dan Bathie added the Day- garage and any chance of victory. was the two Ganassi cars outfront the tona 24 Hours to the Indy 500, Day- Both Ganassi cars suffered early 02 leading 01. With two hours to go round up tona 500 and Brickyard 400 in 12 troubles, the 01 car having a gear the 01 was given a penalty for hitting months to nail a historic ‘Chip Slam’. cluster changed due to the car hitting a tyre in pit lane. When Hand rejoined The Telmex/ Target Riley BMW, the rev limiter while the 02 had two he was 50 seconds behind leader Dix- driven by , , punctures and the same gear cluster on but a stunning drive saw him make Joey Hand and claimed change loosing two laps, it was soon up 30 seconds before he handed over a narrow two second victory over their to get them back when Montoya to Pruett. This was where the race all-star team-mates Juan Pablo Mon- took over the wheel. The NASCAR was won, a short fill during a caution toya, Jamie McMurray, driver wasn’t making friends on track allowed the 01 to leapfrog the Dixon and after a gruelling though,sideswiping the Suntrust and when he pitted. A late caution set up 24 hours. The result may have looked Gainsco cars in similar incidents. Nose a thrilling finish as in like Ganassi had it easy but that was changes during the night lost the car the car had a go at not the case.The Flying Lizard team more time but cautions and pace saw getting secondnd place on the last lap were the early pace setters as Jörg them retake the lead. but the British ex Formula One star Bergmeister lead from pole position Early Morning fog brought the race couldn’t get the car turned in and had but an off-track excursion from Seth under caution for just under three to settle for fourth just behind Joao Nieman meant they lost 19 laps in the hours and when the race resumed it Barbosa in his Action Express car. Photo: James Boone round up Photo: Dirk Klynsmith / Armor All es intheprocess. class GTAGTB the and both winning Championship, GT UAE the overall in finish two one- a up notched cars can Ameri the as Marina, Yasat neering and House of Portier Engi- TAMAuto of Corvettes the for sweep clean a was It Yas Marina,Round 2,February12By Yas in marina Tam diamonds are UA ai lAhr ad Fabien and Azhari Al Karim E GT - - oamd l uaa and Mutawaa Al Mohammed House of Portier Corvette with second the was class GTB the ing. cent recorded time in qualify- de a without them left issue in the UAE after a transponder grid the of back the from way Giroix managed to climb their eod vrl ad o in top and overall Second Jake Yorath - ond. sec- MC GT Cregan’s Robert with X-Bow, KTM the in win ever first his took who fastest lap. class with GTB, in seond and Simmonds scored third overall Porsche of Phil MSW Quaife and Jon The driving. Skula Jiri In GTC, it was Saad Salman Saad was it GTC, In Australia armor All Bathurst 12 hours Audi on top at the Mountain Bathurst, February 12 By Sam Tickell The Audi R8 LMS dominated The other major interna- A, class B for older model GT the 2011 Armor All Bathurst tional entry was the Ferrari cars was won by Roger Lago, 12 Hours held on 05 Febru- 430 GT3 of Hector Lester, Luke Matt Kingsley in David Rus- ary. Searle and Allan Simonsen sell in a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup The German marque en- who suffered a variety of me- car. Class C for GT Production tered two factory supported chanical issues over the week- cars was won by Beric Lynton, cars as the international team end and finished sixth overall. Matt Mackelden and Jody Mo- of Darryl O’Young, Marc Bas- There were relatively few dystach in a BMW M3. Class D seng and Christopher Heis led incidents during the race with for all wheel drive production home the Australian outfit of only one major incident when cars was won by Peter Con- Mark Eddy, Craig Lowndes and a tyre on the Vodka 0 Mosler roy, Anthony Robson and Mark Warren Luff. exploded at the end of the Brame in a Lancer Evo X. Class The Audi squads were only Conrod Straight, resulting in a E for rear wheel drive produc- bothered my the VIP Petfoods violent accident, sending the tion cars was won by Bruce Porsche GT3R who were chal- windscreen of the car to the Tomlinson, Geoff Fontaine lenging for victory before an top of a power pole. Fortu- and Richard Gartne in a BMW unscheduled pitstop in the fi- nately the driver, Dean Grant 130i. nal hour ended their run for suffered only minor injuries. The winner completed 292 victory. The Audi squad won class laps or just over 1802 km. UK Le Mans Through the ages Stop and stare Coventry Transport Museum, Until May 2 By Tim Yorath Coventry Transport Museum boards, and videos of selected and remember seeing when I have a compact and bijou bits of LM history. went as a kid. I’m having an Le Mans exhibition on at the For those who live locally, absolute ball here!” moment, for those feeling it’s worth dropping by. If you Nigel Webb, owner of the the need in the dog days of are not so local, but haven’t 1955 race winning D Type. winter. been to the museum before, “I’m surrounded by cars more Nicely laid out, with a it’s worth it as the ‘cherry on important than my own...” blower Bentley, Speed Eight, the cake’, because they also David Ingram, Audi UK. “I’m XJR8/9, a 956 and 962GTI, have have both Thrust Land a passionate fan of Le Mans, Audi R8, Lola T297, 774RW Speed Record cars on show. and been going longer than I Jaguar D Type, ADU1B Spit- The best bit? It’s free, and care to remember. I remem- fire, and the 2003 Spyker, plus it’s on until May 2nd. ber seeing the Jag win in the museum’s own Lea Fran- 1988 Le Mans winner Andy 1988. It’s great. I can spend cis Hyper, from 1929, that Wallace said, “It’s great, see- a happy couple of hours wan- finished 8th overall. Plus info ing so many cars I’ve driven, dering about here.” Photo: Tim Yorath Tim Photo:

Speed chills l'endurance are going to Le Mans this year. We’re going with Speed Chills. You should too. speedchills.com