2010 Total 24 Hours of Spa live stream

Check out the links below

Live Feed

Entry List

Live Timing and Scoring

Event Schedule





More videos will be added after the jump as they become available... cheek checking back for highlights









First 5 hours Highlights

Hamilton vs Dennis

Lewis Hamilton: "...the car was the best I’ve ever driven around here – it felt really great through the corners, but, even so, we’re losing quite a bit of time in the middle sector, and a couple of tenths in the first and third sectors, too. And then, as you start to push harder, in order to close the gap to the guys in front, the car begins to feel like it’s a little bit on the ragged edge.”

Ron Dennis: "...I find it slightly infuriating when my guys get out of the cars and say, 'I wish I was on the front row' and build in the media the perception that we're giving them cars that are less capable of winning races"



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They will drive...FLATOUT!

Hang on...who's that guy??


(pictures RSR Nürburg)
It's our buddy Ron Simons, the boss at RSR Nürburg. Someone must have been smiling at the end of the day!

Imagine the sound...probably went something like this:



More after the jump



















Bonus video: Ron chasing a 599XX at the Hungaroring, site of this week end's Grand Prix.
It's tempting to think this is an illustration of the "I drive...FLATOUT" video, but I think the 599 was just hanging around for Ron, in a Lotus 2-Eleven, to film him.

Rallies are scary

There's no way around it, it's not a question of if but when you'll have a really big one...

Alessandro Bruschetta and Edoardo Civiero in a Group N Subaru STI Friday at Rally Finland's Special stage 6.



He wasn't alone, more after the jump.


Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lahtinen begin the Ford Focus destruction..



Ford's Khalid Al Quassimi and Michael Orr... (I mention the navigators because they are crazier than the drivers)


and finally Ford's Henning Solberg and Ilka Minor



ON the plus side Rally cars cages are insanely well built... nobody seriously injured though you can see Bruschetta's arm come out and back in . the window as the car rolled

Watch that junk in the trunk...

More Pictures of the Day on Axis
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BMW M3 at the 24 hours of Spa

Qualifying for the 2010 Total 24 Hours of Spa just ended, It will be Ferrari, BMW, Audi in the top three grid spots.

Curiously each manufacturer is in a good position to claim a class win: Ferrari is in GT2, Audi in GT3 and BMW runs in GTN which is for non FIA homologated cars.

What? Yes the M3 was homologated GT2 for LeMans under ACO rules and GT under ALMS rules but to run in FIA GT2 the team would need to run Michelin tires. Dunlop being a BMW technical partner there is a conflict and hence the GTN class.

You can download the qualifying results --->HERE
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I will drive...Flatout!

"I belong to all the major internet car chat forums, I will post negative review of your organization.."

Laugh but, they are really out there...and some of us have to get in the passenger seat occasionally!

For a comprehensive list of driver's excuses don't forget to check out the originals on JUSTGOFASTER.COM!



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Aaargh, Mein Eyes!

Granted, it was a popular fashion color in Europe this spring but, wrapping your SLS in matte electric mauve...really?

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What Crisis? Ferrari sales up 10% in USA, more than 20% in China

I wonder who makes a higher profit/unit, Porsche or Ferrari. CG,want to weigh in?



Maranello, 27th July - The Board of Directors of Ferrari met today, chaired by Luca di Montezemolo, to examine the results of the second quarter of 2010.

Ferrari recorded revenues of 488 million Euro (8.6% up on the second quarter of last year), confirming a sustained rate of growth that has been helped by the sales of the Ferrari California and great success for the the 458 Italia and the 599 GTO, and by further developments in the personalisation programme. The number of cars delivered to the dealer network in the second quarter of this year was 2.6% up on the same period of 2009, at 1,615 units.

Increased income for the period, combined with continuous improvements to internal efficiency, meant that Ferrari recorded trading profit of 77 million Euros, a significant increase of 10%.

Over the first six months, Ferrari recorded revenues of 903 million Euros (compared to 891 in the same period of 2009). 3,200 cars were delivered to dealers, 2% more than in the same period of 2009. Trading profit for the first six months came to 116 million Euros, compared to 124 million Euros in the first half of 2009. The impact of a less favourable mix, especially in the first three months of the year, was only partly compensated by improvements in efficiency.
The industrial cash flow for the first half of the year has been extremely positive recording 124 million Euros.

As far as the markets are concerned, the U.S.A. has shown first good signs of recovery, with Ferrari seeing 10% growth. China has continued to grow at over 20%, a figure that is likely to rise further still in coming months.

2010 is proving to have a very positive trend after 2009 results that were stable.

Brand development activities in the areas of internet, licensing and retail are also continuing. The launch of the website in Chinese and the renewal of certain sections of the site, including the Formula One section, have practically doubled the number of visitors and page views over the first six months of 2010 and revenues from the Ferrari Store online grew by 40%. Ferrari’s social networking has also been a source of great satisfaction, with the official Ferrari Group on Facebook, in existence for just over a year, recently registering over a million fans.

Results from the retail and licensing world have been good too. Ferrari stores have recorded a growth of 40%, thanks in part to the opening of new locations, such as the ones in New York in Park Avenue and Johannesburg. Licensing activities have seen the renewal of important partnerships with prestige brands like Mattel for models and Acer for electronics.

(Ferrari)

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Snapshot: Horacio Pagani and the 6:47 R

Horacio Pagani with a Zonda R, Circuit Paul Ricard July 2010 by Savan Calians


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Site of future USGP track in Texas, revealed...

I'm serious, somewhere past that plastic lawn chair...

Austin's The Statesman reports:

Organizers of the proposed Austin Formula One auto race plan to build the track on about 900 acres near Elroy in southeastern Travis County, according to one of the major land owners involved....

...The location of the track has been a topic of intense speculation since May, when Formula One Group CEO Bernie Ecclestone announced plans for a race in Austin.

Wandering Creek has about 650 acres, and organizers have recently secured adjacent acreage, including land with more frontage on FM 812 and small parcels with additional access to Elroy Road, according to a source close to the event who could not be identified because he was not authorized to speak ahead of today's press conference.

Organizers kept the site secret, even from local officials, until the land was secured and private investors were lined up.

Cathy Olive, president of the Elroy Preservation Association, a neighborhood group, said she and other board members were scheduled to meet Monday night with a representative of the race organizers, presumably to provide a heads-up before this morning's conference.

She and some other local resident s opposed the original Wandering Creek plans, which called for 1,800 homes on small lots. She said she and "every single solitary person I have talked to" don't want the track in their area, but all feel it would be preferable to dense residential development.

"We all feel like it would be the lesser of two evils," Olive said. "Are we excited about it? No. But it's better than 2,000 teeny-tiny tract houses."...

...Hellmund faces a tight schedule to get the track built. Wandering Creek's owners already have submitted applications to extend water and wastewater treatment services to the land.

Austin and Travis County have set up a joint task force to handle permit requests, once the site is disclosed.

Promoters hope to have permits in place from the city and county to start grading work on the site in December and remain confident they can have a track open in time....

Read the Full article here

Additionally on of the major financial backers of the projects was named, it's Billy Joe "Red" McCombs (what a perfect name for a Texan promoter) of car dealership and Clear- Channel Entertainment wealth and a frustrated passion for grand entertainment venues.

Best of luck to all involved!

Track web site Formula1unitedstaes.com

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ProDrive and BMW team up again

The return of Mini to the WRC, with 1.6L Turbo 4wd cars built by Prodrive marks the return of a partnership with BMW which goes back to 1987.
In that year's Tour de Corse, the first event it was entered in, a Prodrive prepared, Rothmans liveried e30 M3, was the last BMW to score a win in what was then the brand new Group A category.

Group A were the production based cars introduced in 1987 after Group B monsters were banned following the horrible death of Henri Toivonen the year before in Corsica. BMW's were of course best on tarmac, the 4wd Minis will without a doubt have more range.





MINI set to join World Rally Championship from 2011.

27.07.2010Press Release
Munich. MINI is making a comeback on the international rally circuit. From 2011, the brand will compete at selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and will go on to contest the entire season from 2012 onwards. This involvement is planned for several years.
The car charged with this task is the MINI Countryman WRC, which is being developed by Prodrive, in close cooperation with MINI, and is based on the production model. The powerful heart of the racing car is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport. The car complies with the new Super2000 regulations put in place by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which stipulate the use of turbo engines with 1,600 cc displacement and four-wheel drive combined with an increased emphasis on road relevant technologies. The result is a significant 25 per cent reduction in overall costs. The first test drive for the MINI Countryman WRC, which will also be available to customer teams, is planned for autumn 2010.
This decision sees MINI continue its success story in the world of rallying. In the 1960s, the MINI Cooper S caused a sensation with victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. The company also tasted success on many occasions in the European Rally Championship. Having already demonstrated the sporty character of its models in many countries in the MINI CHALLENGE, the brand is now taking its presence in motorsport to a new level with the commitment to the WRC.
Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, says: “I am delighted MINI will be represented on one of the most popular stages in international motorsport. The success enjoyed on the rally circuit has made a vital contribution to the image of the brand. MINI customers have always shown great interest in motorsport. I am convinced we will add a few more chapters to our success story in rallying. The MINI Countryman provides an excellent basis, from which to create a competitive racing car for the world championship. In Prodrive, we have a strong and experienced partner. We will work hard together over the coming months to ensure we get the project on track right from the word go.”
“This is a very exciting new motorsport programme,” said Prodrive Chairman, David Richards. “During the 1960s MINI captured the imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of V8 powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motorsport events, the 4000km Monte Carlo rally. I believe our new MINI will become a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is adored by its millions of owners across the world. We already have a significant number of confirmed customer orders for the new MINI rally car with the first deliveries scheduled for the start of the 2011 season.”
Prodrive has been working on developing the MINI Countryman WRC since early 2009. The company was formed in 1984 by Richards, who won the World Rally Championship as co-driver to Ari Vatanen (FI) three years earlier. Based in Banbury (GB), Prodrive has developed into a leading independent company in the motorsport and automobile sector under Richards' guidance, and today employs over 500 staff. Prodrive's many successes currently include six overall victories in the World Rally Championship, five titles in the British Touring Car Championship and three class victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours (FR).
BMW was present when the World Rally Championship made its debut back in 1973. Achim Warmbold (DE) and Jean Todt (FR) tasted victory in their BMW 2002 at the Alpenfahrt Rally in Austria. However, MINI's tradition in this discipline stretches back even further: Pat Moss (GB) clinched the first victory with the MINI 850 at the 1959 Mini Miglia National Rally. MINI ultimately enjoyed its finest hours at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967: the MINI Cooper S celebrated three overall victories at the most iconic rallying event in the world. Paddy Hopkirk (IR, 1964), Timo Mäkinen (FI, 1965) and Rauno Aaltonen (FI, 1967) joined the list of winners at this prestigious event. In 1965, “Rally Professor” Aaltonen also won the European Rally Championship. Tony Ambrose (GB) and Mäkinen finished second and third to round off an excellent overall result for the MINI Cooper S. In addition, MINI drivers also enjoyed many individual wins at renowned rallies throughout Europe. The last BMW World Rally Championship victory was achieved in 1987 in Corsica by Bernard Béguin (FR) driving a BMW M3 which was built and run by Prodrive.
From 2011, over 40 years down the line, the MINI Countryman WRC will be charged with adding further chapters to this success story. It bridges the gap between the classic MINI concept and a contemporary Sports Activity Vehicle. The brand’s first model to feature four doors and a wide-opening tailgate, it offers more space – which can be used in a wide variety of ways – to go with its raised seating position and optimised ride comfort. Plus, the “go-kart” feeling for which MINI is a byword has been preserved and takes on a new dimension with the optional MINI ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. The MINI Countryman expresses the defining virtues of the brand in terms of design, premium quality, handling, efficiency and the scope for customisation – and does so in an absorbingly individual way.
The next step down from the racing version is the MINI Cooper S Countryman. With its twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection now complemented by fully variable valve management, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the range-topping model offers by far the best balance between output and fuel consumption in its displacement class. The engine generates an impressive 135 kW/184 bhp and allows the MINI Cooper S Countryman to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. Furthermore, the MINIMALISM concept sees wide-ranging technology designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions – such as Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start/Stop function, Shift Point Display and the need-based operation of ancillary components – fitted as standard and in model-specific combinations.
The MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman can be ordered as an option with MINI ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive. Here, an electromagnetic centre differential positioned directly on the final drive varies the distribution of power seamlessly between the front and rear axles. In normal driving conditions up to 50 per cent of the drive is sent to the rear wheels, in extreme situations as much as 100 per cent. The result is a new, traction-led expression of the agile handling for which MINI is famed.

Vintage Nostalgia

This past week end's events left you hankering for a time when Formula 1 was supposedly more pure and sporting?
...Well, it never really was that but for sure, balls swung a lot lower all around back then, as confirmed by James Hunt.


(Brunswick Films)

Don't forget to keep an eye out for Flat Out, the new series coming from out friends at Mito Media.

(thanks to eBrake)
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A slice of Lime Rock

Pretty video by Iain Browne, a photographer for FastLaneDaily, who was at Lime Rock for the ALSM race last week end.

BMW ended up 2nd and 3rd in GT behind the Flying Lizard Porsche but nobody will tell me how it was that BMW started so far to the back of the grid...it's all a mystery, kind of like the mood of this clip! Enjoy.



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Expensive Win for Ferrari

It's not just the $100000 fine, it's the inevitable blowback and "outrage" that will once again follow Ferrari, rather than what should have been triumphal headlines for having kicked everybody's ass in Germany. Ferrari was under extreme pressure to perform and deliver this week end after a string of horrible results. Stefano Domenicali had hoped for a good results and a "normal race", he got one of his wishes.



Once again I will be a contrarian, just as I defended Christian Horner's decision to rip the improved front wing from Mark Webber's car and give it to his driver with the most points, so I defend Ferrari's thinking that you need to be behind the driver with the best chance to compete for the championship win. Horner though, has a short memory...



Massa obviously signed a contract that states he's got to move over if the team asks him to. Massa is a free man, nobody forced him to stay at Ferrari under those conditions, but if he signed such a contract, he has to be man enough to stand by it and carry what he agreed to do it in such a way that it does not make his team look bad. His race engineer, Rob Smedley, needs to have a serious think about his job. His radio communications with Massa could not have been more clearly for public consumption. While he had a thankless task, the way he carried out what must have obviously been a call from very high up at Ferrari HQ, the way he carried it out was as bitchingly obvious as Massa's move out of the hairpin.

I do not expect cooler heads to prevail here, not with (insert expletive here) Alonso about one DNF away from Hamilton and Button, expect a full court press on this one even after the humongous fine.



I'll side with DC once again, the rule makes little sense in a team sport with huge economic interests in the balance and it's not in line with past history. But it's the very man for whom this rule was created who offers the most sober assessment of the situation. Wise words I thought.



Look forward to a lively discussion about this!
(all videos/ BBC)

Bonus video...


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Porsche Supercup Germany

While you wait for the dreaded Fox broadcast of the F1 GrandPrix, have a look at the Supercup race. Always nice to see how a relatively normal car goes around the same track before you watch F1 around those same corners.

Porsche must do a brisk business in body panels...

Porsche Supercup Gallery


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Edmund Jordan, Tracktard?

Massive bonus points for the guy if that is what I think it is on his wrist. Do I have it right?

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Panamera Racer: where there's a will and budget...

Even though magicians at Italy's N.Technology who built it for the Superstars Series, managed to trim well over 1000 lbs from the street version, one of these cars will inevitably be either run or get photoshopped with the famous "Der Truffeljäger von Zuffenhausen" Pink Pig livery...

More info and pictures after the jump, See Superstars Series big fellas in action HERE




Technical specs of the N.Technology Panamera S racecar
Chassis: Steel frame with aluminum components
Engine: V8, front
Capacity: 4.8 litres, 4 valves per cylinders
Power: 450hp
Intake: Single throttle
Traction: Rear wheel drive
Friction: Carbon double discs diameter 184 mm
Gearbox/transmission: 6 gear sequential, self locking ramps and plates differential
Brakes: Front 355×35 disc, with 6 pots caliper, Rear 330×32 disc, with 4 pots caliper
Steering: Pinion and rack
Suspensions: Front double wishbone with 3 ways adjustable dampers, rear four rods multilink with 3 ways adjustable dampers
Wheels: Magnesium wheels 10,5×18
Tires: Michelin 27/68-18
Aerodynamics: Front splitter, front and rear widened fenders, Rear wing (single supplier of the same element for all cars)
Weight: 1,320kg

N.TECHNOLOGY: CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN MOTORSPORT WITH THE START OF A NEW PROJECT

The Audromo del Mugello will host the racing debut of the Porsche Panamera S, the latest car by N. Technology. A tradition of 20 years is renewed and celebrated with a special livery on the new car.

The N.Technology story begun in 1991 with successes celebrated over the past 20 years, collecting 29 titles on track and seven in rallies between European and National Championships (in Italy and Spain).
With touring cars, N. Technology raced in 462 rounds scoring 148 wins, 138 second places, 109 third places, 100 pole positions and 113 fastest laps.

Some of the greatest contemporary drivers have taken to the wheel of N. Technology cars: Felipe Massa, Giancarlo Fisichella, Gabriele Tarquini, Nicola Larini, Gianni Morbidelli, Yvan Muller, Augusto Farfus Jr, James Thompson and last but not least Fabrizio Giovanardi.

After completing the initial development of the car, FabrizioGiovanardi – the most victorious driver in the story of N. Technology – will be tasked with debuting the Porsche Panamera S in the Superstars Series. The Italian driver will have to challenge the major brands in the world automotive market: Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jaguar, Maserati, Mercedes Benz.

The weekend in Mugello will begin with two Free Practice sessions on Friday (at 9.00 and 14.00) and will continue on Saturday with Qualifying (12.20) and on Sunday with two races (at 10.10 and 15.20) of 25 minutes each.

More Coolness from Lime Rock... Rain lessons from Bill

OK the other ALMS clip was more, shall we say, decorative. This is more ...badass. Bill Auberlen was always at home in the rain at Lime Rock, catch some tips, just in case you ever find yourself driving a 500+hp car on that slippery New England track!


(BMW-RahalLetterman Racing)
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ALMS does the coolest stuff...

Like release cool raw video... I don't care that the Dyson Mazda in its new suit is just idling behind a photo car. Look at it, this video looks great!



ALMS is a t Lime Rock this week end
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German GP Free Practice: Alonso fastest, Hamilton Crashes

Drivers had a hell of time with the wet/dry track conditions in morning practice, Massa spun five times but he did manage to keep it off the barriers and clock the second fastest time in the morning and the third in the afternoon.

Didn't quite work out that way for Lewis Hamilton, a tankslapper tossed him in the barriers tearing a couple of corners off his Mclaren. Car was only rebuilt in time for him to take to the track in the final ten minutes or so of the afternoon session, meaning he missed a lot of setup time. He did manage a 7th place time well ahead of Jenson Button, who may or may not have been engaged in a different program.

Top of the list was Alonso, showing he and the car, possibly sporting a new diffuser, have the pace. Now if they can keep the mistakes and the bad luck away...

Pos  Driver         Team                    Time              Laps
 1.  Alonso         Ferrari                 1:16.265            35
 2.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault        1:16.294  + 0.029   26
 3.  Massa          Ferrari                 1:16.438  + 0.173   37
 4.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault        1:16.585  + 0.320   40
 5.  Rosberg        Mercedes                1:16.827  + 0.562   32
 6.  Schumacher     Mercedes                1:16.971  + 0.706   20
 7.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes        1:17.004  + 0.739   10
 8.  Kubica         Renault                 1:17.009  + 0.744   37
 9.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth       1:17.056  + 0.791   37
10.  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth       1:17.204  + 0.939   44
11.  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari          1:17.336  + 1.071   44
12.  Petrov         Renault                 1:17.547  + 1.282   35
13.  de la Rosa     Sauber-Ferrari          1:17.573  + 1.308   39
14.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes    1:17.701  + 1.436   38
15.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes        1:17.739  + 1.474   36
16.  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes    1:17.871  + 1.606   33
17.  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari      1:18.147  + 1.882   45
18.  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari      1:19.327  + 3.062   48
19.  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth         1:19.553  + 3.288   30
20.  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth          1:20.008  + 3.743   34
21.  di Grassi      Virgin-Cosworth         1:20.106  + 3.841   31
22.  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth          1:20.377  + 4.112   37
23.  Senna          HRT-Cosworth            1:21.988  + 5.723   37
24.  Yamamoto       HRT-Cosworth            1:23.066  + 6.801   37

All Timing Unofficial

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"327", Bayville, NY July 20, 2010 by AC


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...and speaking of close calls:

This "Code Brown" moment came at Brands Hatch during a Seat Leon Eurocup race. Nobody was injured!


(YouTube MT45)
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Axis Glossary: "Cole Trickle" (v.)

Cole Trickle: (v.) To avoid a crash by the narrowest of margins. Example: "In today's video, Axis Pete takes his chances and successully Cole Trickles his way through the nastiest club racing crash we've seen in a long time."


Bonus Entry:
Pete Trickle: (n.) Mysterious, pot-bellied, little-known cousin of Cole who drives for Axis of Oversteer. Thought to be intimately familiar with Dick Trickle.

So you get the idea.



After the jump: A few more perspectives from Pocono. -Freep

MotoGP blows your mind with new gyroscopic camera mount

Can MotoGP get any cooler? Perhaps you were marvelling at the return of Valentino Rossi, only six weeks after having a bone stick out of his shin, to score a fourth place finish at the Geraman GP this past Sunday. The Doctor came vary close to scoring a podium but for Casey Stoner taking back third on the final corner, still an amazing performance.

Yeah but MotoGP was not done, Dorna Sports, the Spanish marketing company behind the sport, deputed a fantastic new gyroscopically mounted camera on Rossi's bike. In case MotoGP had not sufficiently blown your mind, this new prospective will.

MotoGP, is way ahead of Formula1 not just, because of the nature of the machinery, with on track action, but also in its content delivery systems available: Dorna offers various levels of online access, season to daily passes, in high and low definition, at around $10 per race week end. You can find details HERE

We wonder when Formula1 will wake up.
(thanks to Rick Lopez!)



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Badass: Lola T-210

The Lola T210 was a super light 2 liter car from the early 1970s. In this video a 1972 model is being driven around Spa by Chris Fox at this year's Master's race. Note that the big cars you see in the video are mostly 5 liter Chevrons and Lola t70s.

Oh yeah, the spin at La Source after the start? That was just a self imposed handicap so the race would not be so boring!
Turn it up



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Charlie Horse: Ferrari releases FIA decision timeline

In reply to Charlie Whiting declarations that Ferrari had ample and timely warning about Alonso's pass on Kubica's Renault, Maranello has released the following timeline in an article in today's Gazzetta.

13:31:05 Alonso makes the pass on Kubica in turn 9.

13:31:06 Ferrari sporting director Massimo Rivola calls race control. Whiting picks up after 11 seconds. Rivola asks if Race Control had seen the pass and adds that in Ferrari's opinion Alonso had no choice as Kubica left him no space. Whiting replies that he has to look at the pictures.

13:33:00 Ferrari calls Whiting again (after waiting 1:55). By now Alonso has caught up with Rosberg and Alguersauri and Kubica is losing ground. Whiting replies that the stewards thinking Alonso should give the position back. Rivola asks if this is their final decision, Whiting replies that no, it is not but that's what they are leaning towards. By now Alonso has passed Alguersauri and Kubica has fallen further back.

13:33:22 Rivola informs Whiting that Kubica is no longer in the position behind Alonso, that Alguersauri is now there meaning the Ferrari driver would have to conceed two positions. Meanwhile Kubica has been passes by Barrichello. Whiting tells Ferrari "we gave you the chance to give Kubica the position back or not. At this point the stewards will question the drivers after the race, but I understand your position".

13:35:30 Kubica retires.

13:45:31 A message that Alonso is under investigation appears un the monitors.

13:46:26 Alonso is given a drive through.

So, it's not quite as cut and dry as Charlie Whiting had said after the race and it still shows a very long time between infraction and punishment twelve minutes and coincidentally right as the safety car was being deployed.

You can understand Ferrari's hesitance given the situation and how unevenly these rules have been applied in the past. 2006, Monza, Alonso then driving for Renault put four wheels off while passing Heidfeld but was not given a penalty. 2009 Monaco, Massa missed the chicane after the tunnel while trying a move on Rosberg. On that occasion he gave the position back but in the process lost position to Vettel as well. At the time Whilting told Ferrari it was Massa's own fault and that he should have waited longer before letting Rosberg back through.

You want to keep a certain amount of leeway in these decisions though, otherwise if you apply the "4 wheels outside the white lines" rule what would you have to do, penalize a move like Rosberg put on Aguersauri with all wheels off?

All said and done though, it is still our opinion Ferrari was terribly naive to think Alonso would not get the book thrown at him at Silverstone and the better choice would have been to immediately give back the position.
(timeline: Gazzetta Dello Sport/Ferrari)



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Jason Plato drives the Ferrari 599 GTO

Proper video review Plato! Axis approved!


(Fifth Gear online)
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Pressure!

Thank you Dunlop for these of technical videos...keep them coming and go into even more detail in the future!



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That Joy Thing...

I will admit to being as snarky as the next guy when I first heard BMW's new marketing slogan but yesterday as I, after over a month away, got into my car, fired up the straight six and headed out in the rain with the straight pipe exhaust barking....

I'm pretty sure that was joy.

With that let me send you over to a BMW produced tribute to...ok, to itself but also the many independent teams running roundel cars in the USA.

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Charlie Whiting hits back: "We warned Ferrari three times"

Not happy with all the criticism after the delayed reaction ruling in Valencia, Race Director Charlie Whiting has told Italy's Autosprint magazine he had been in touch right away with the Ferrari pit wall after the Alonso Kubica incident:

"We told Ferrari three times that in my opinion they should give the position back to Kubica, and we told them that immediately, right after the overtaking manoeuvre. On the radio, I suggested to them that if they exchange position again, there would be no need for the stewards to intervene. But they didn't do that and on the third communication they said that Kubica was by then too far back to let him regain the position. It's not true at all that the stewards took too long to decide. For us the facts were clear immediately: Alonso had gained an advantage by cutting the track."

This puts Stefano Domenicali, who had said by the time the ruling came it was too late, on and even hotter hot seat than he is sitting on at the moment. Did Domenicali ask Alonso to give the position back and if not, why? Did Alonso refuse his request? Did things actually happen as Whiting is suggesting?
Perhaps Domenicali though that, like Mclaren who in Valencia knew right away Hamilton had passed the Safety Car, they too might benefit from the bureaucratic procedure? Not very clever after you spent two week complaining about that very issue.

Maybe it's not just Ferrari's F10 that needs a new package.


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Ironman 2: Rossi tests at Brno

Valentino Rossi was back in the saddle of a Yamaha Superbike again, this time at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic . it was the second test in just a few days for Valentino who, despite doctors prognosis of a three month recovery following his compound leg fracture just over one month ago, wants to be back on a MotoGP this coming week end in Germany.

Rossi, in the interview, says pain sets in after six or seven laps. He did forty eight. A medical visit tomorrow will asses his condition further but either way, that a nine time world champion would try so hard pretty much says it all.


(Gazzetta dello Sport video)

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Renault Shake and Bake

Thanks Renault for this little glimpse at what, since the 90's, has become an invaluable tool in race car set-up: the 7 post shaker chassis rig.

An evolution of the more common 4 post machine used among other things to find squeaks in production cars, the 7 post version adds the possibility of simulating aero forces on the suspension.

You can read about it more HERE and HERE



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Balboni goes topless

To me this makes about as much sense as the 430 Scuderia Spyder....
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Karma's a bitch but...

...to take a contrarian view, wasn't Mark Webber being a bit of a drama queen?

I mean, it's not like his car was that much slower than Vettel's in qualifying and while in the end the way the British GP played out made for a fantastic story with the whole revenge thing, it's not like he actually beat Vettel to more than the first corner. Vettel was taken out by Hamilton who once again touched a Red Bull ( must bring him luck, however this time, since it was not his car that was damaged, there were no cries of "Vettel ran into me").

Christian Horner, I thought, made the most logical decision as a team manager: faced with a choice he gave the best available equipment to the driver who could potentially gain the most.

In any case, Webber drove a great race in a car Sakon Yamamoto might have scored a podium with and Hamilton was once again in the right position to take full advantage. Vettel's learned a few things and Alonso... well, his race was lost in the first couple of yards. Was it him or the clutch, who knows but if he had gotten off the line he would never have been behind a really slow Kubica .

The penalty? You were watching the race, how long did it take you to form an opinion as to his having to give the position back? I'm guessing not as long as it took race control once again (from lap 17 to lap 31). Of course , what are the odds British stewards at the British Grand Prix would choose to give Alonso a penalty for gaining an advantage on a car that was not in the race anymore .... whatever. Alonso should not have been in that position to begin with, you all saw how quickly he was able to pull away from Kubica once passed. Yet another Ferrari lost opportunity.

It was a good race for Williams, Barrichello must be relishing his thrashing of Herr Schumacher. Force Indias were very impressive, they seem to have especially good traction coming out of corners making them very hard to pass, even for a Red Bull.

But the real star Sunday was the circuit, Silverstone is just fantastic, the crowd great. The new additions work very well and the race,though not that much happened up front, was very entertaining. Well done BRDC!

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ALMS from Miller Motorsports live qualifying stream

starts at 4:30 PM ET follow this link---> HERE

Meanwhile have a look at these great pictures from practice our friend Jeremy Lines sent us today.

Brothers on another planet.

OK, so one of the "brothers" is not entirely happy today but still, the Red Bulls are so far in front of the rest that it's just a matter of wondering if Vettel's car will hold together and if Webber will pay attention when lapping moving chicanes.
The unexpected was Mclaren's sudden downfall, especially with Button. Hamilton too must not bee a happy camper starting on the dirty side tomorrow.

But I'll let the video do the talking... we can discuss Webber's charges of favoritism in the comments.

Pos  Driver         Team                   Q1        Q2        Q3       
 1.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault       1:30.841  1:30.480  1:29.615
 2.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault       1:30.858  1:30.114  1:29.758
 3.  Alonso         Ferrari                1:30.997  1:30.700  1:30.426
 4.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes       1:31.297  1:31.118  1:30.556
 5.  Rosberg        Mercedes               1:31.626  1:31.085  1:30.625
 6.  Kubica         Renault                1:31.680  1:31.344  1:31.040
 7.  Massa          Ferrari                1:31.313  1:31.010  1:31.172
 8.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth      1:31.424  1:31.126  1:31.175
 9.  de la Rosa     Sauber-Ferrari         1:31.533  1:31.327  1:31.274
10.  Schumacher     Mercedes               1:32.058  1:31.022  1:31.430
11.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes   1:31.109  1:31.399
12.  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari         1:31.851  1:31.421
13.  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth      1:32.144  1:31.635
14.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes       1:31.435  1:31.699
15.  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes   1:32.226  1:31.708
16.  Petrov         Renault                1:31.638  1:31.796
17.  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari     1:31.901  1:32.012
18.  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari     1:32.430
19.  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth         1:34.405
20.  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth        1:34.775
21.  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth         1:34.864
22.  di Grassi      Virgin-Cosworth        1:35.212
23.  Chandhok       HRT-Cosworth           1:36.576
24.  Yamamoto       HRT-Cosworth           1:36.968

All Timing Unofficial

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Ironman!

WLF!

Nine-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi steers his Yamaha YZF-R1 during a practice at the Misano circuit, in Misano, Italy, Wednesday, July 7, 2010. Rossi has made a remarkable return to action just over a month since breaking his leg in a crash. The Italian rider tested a Yamaha YZF-R1 bike at a private testing session at the Misano circuit on Wednesday. Rossi broke his right leg on June 5 during practice for the Italian Grand Prix. Following the accident he underwent surgery for two-and-a-half hours to repair a displaced and exposed fracture of his right tibia. (AP Photo/Albano Venturelli)

photo Ap

Does this new diffuser make me look fat?

Anyone who thinks Formula 1 cars look all the same has either not gotten close enough or not looked carefully enough.

The new look for the British GP fashion is sleek. Gone are all the top mounted exhausts and most cooling vents. Mclaren continued with their preferred asymmetrical engine cover with shark gill type openings on the left side. In the second session however they ran a cover with cooling on the other side as well.

If you watched the practice broadcast you may have heard a Mercedes engineer telling Michael Schumacher to be careful where he overlapped throttle and brakes. Interesting because this was a "trick" he supposedly had come up with to keep exhaust pressure up in the era when gasses were blown under the diffusers and the effect of going off throttle more pronounced.




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El Matador

Spain made the world cup final, to celebrate let's have a look at this cool video from 1996. Carlos Sainz in some pre season testing in the Ford Escort RS. Check out the footwork. The car though sounds like a bucket of bolts falling down a flight of stairs.



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Superman: Valentino Rossi back in the saddle today!

Just one month after his serious crash which resulted in a severe fracture of his leg, Valentino Rossi was back in the saddle riding James Toseland's debadged Yamaha R1 Superbike in a half hour private test session in Misano today.

The Doctor ended up lapping in 1:39.3 which is still far from Max Biaggi's 1:36.5 race laps but fast enough to show Valentino in good shape mentally and obviously improving phisically.
(Gazzetta dello Sport)
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An Away Game

A number or interesting things about this clip from Ferrari: The footage from Alonso's "promotional filming" day at Fiorano appears again making critics fume but at the same time providing further justification for Maranello.

I suppose that, during a World Cup, describing racing at Silverstone as an away game was inevitable. Ferrari and Alonso have been under a lot of criticism for lack of results this year. Some critics in the Italian media especially, have been quite harsh about what seems to be an endless stream of excuses and missed opportunities so Ferrari is playing that old lowered expectations game ahead of the British GP. Or is it more excuses? In some ways, Ferrari can't win. Reminds me a bit of something Brazil's trainer Dunga said about that team " We have to win every time. But not only do we have to win, we have to win and put on a show. If we win and put on a show, we have to score a lot of goals. If we win a spectacular game with lots of goals critics will say that's because the other team was second rate"

Ferrari says it will have a new major upgrade in Germany and they'll need it, Mclaren is going to debut RedBull style low exhaust. Renault is probably fielding the 126th version of their front wing (ok, it's only been 22 different ones this season) and Mercedes might try to give its drivers a car that does not bark.

Latest buzz word is about RedBull's clever engine maps, effectively an anti lag feature for a non turbo motor, with the purpose of keeping pressure in the exhausts and therefore the rear diffuser when off throttle. Clever stuff on which might explain the delta between RedBull's qualifying performance and their in race reliability.


(Ferrari)
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"You pulled a Mark Webber!..."

Contrived? Check. Silly? Check but Button's line about Webber is just priceless. The guy has great comedic potential if that racing thing doesn't work out for him. Oh and Hamilton cheats at slot cars too.... grin.



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Heavy Tin: Superstars Series

We all love tin top racing but generally it's modified econoboxes slugging it out, what about automotive fatties, who loves big sedans? Italy's Superstars Series does.

Where else can you see a BMW M5 slugging it out with a Chrysler 300C Srt8 and a Porsche Panamera S?

The fight between behemoths, Maserati Quattroporte, Cadillac CTS-V but also Mercedes C63AMG, Audi RS4 and BMW M3's is kept even with restrictors and reward weights and all cars must run spec brakes, rear wing and tires.

The formula is relatively "low cost" based on production models and with a big focus on marketing opportunities. Event week ends combine the big fellas with a Superstars GT Sprint which is for FIA GT2, GT3, GT4 and GT Cup cars and even Ferrari Challenge races.

With fan and marketing friendly special events, paddock access and even hot laps in special cars, Superstars has all the ingredients for a pretty fun week end.

Check out this clip from a recent race at Hockenheim and learn more about the Superstars Series HERE. Technical regulations are found HERE.

Will Eric Clapton get his V12 458 Italia?

(photo: Phillip Pluecke)

Or would that be a 4612 Leyla?
Anyway, there is this rumor, you may have heard about it, that long time Ferrari fan Capt. Slowhand has asked Maranello to make him a 458 Italia with a v12 engine from a 599GTB. Ferrari is said to be "thinking about it".

True or just a rumor? We say do it: 620HP in a chassis that is faster than the Enzo around Fiorano? That can only result in a massive win.

Auto Sport und Motor recently tested a 458 and came up with these numbers:
0-100km/h (62mph) 3.4
0-200km/h (124mph) 10.4
0-300km/h (186mph) 32.4 (the Carrera GT did it in 34.2 and 997 GT2 in 35.4)
Weight: 1544 kg-3404 lbs




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Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010: Mclaren MP4 12c and more

The first public run of Mclaren's new supercar at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Nice exhaust note for a turbo car!

Couple of other clips below and more than you can shake a stick at after the jump. Of course you can see a live feed courtesy of Dunlop.

Formula Cars



The offset Lotus 38 Jim Clark drove at Indianapolis.

The Fastest Art Car

Is going on sale July 9th in Le Mans at the Artcurial auction house of the same Hervé Poulain originally responsible for convincing BMW to create its celebrated series on mobile sculptures. Poulain was also one of the drivers of this car when it scored a 13th overall in the 1995 edition of the French classic.

The artist, César, was known for exhibiting cars pressed into cubes in the early 60's and his concept here was to paint flattened LeMans trophies. “I have compressed your vanity but increased your glory.” César said at the time.

Check out the rest of the auction, incredible cars and memorabilia pieces going on the block.

Read the full description and history after the jump

(Artcurial via SportscarDigest)




Series N°: 005
Engine: 60° BMW V-12 cylinder, aluminium alloy block & head, central rear position (type BMW Motorsport S 70/3 GTR)
Capacity: 6064cc
Maximum power: 640hp at 6750rpm
Chassis: carbon monocoque with power-unit 15mm lower than for road car
Bodywork: composite carbon fibre with tubular steel protective cage
Performance: top speed of approx. 360km/h (225mph)

In 1992 the inventive, charismatic Stéphane Ratel appeared in the world of motor racing, convincing French makers Venturi to build a 400hp model for members of the international jet-set keen to take part in the Gentlemen Drivers Trophy. This Pro-Am concept, involving amateur/ professional teams, was so successful that, along with Jürgen Barth and Patrick Peter, Ratel launched the BPR Global GT Series (named after the initials of its founders' surnames) in 1995.

At the same time, McLaren Cars Ltd, created in 1989 to perpetuate the dreams of Bruce McLaren, began producing the road car of the future.

Gordon Murray (on temporary leave from Formula 1) and Peter Stevens designed an aesthetic masterpiece powered by a magnificent BMW engine - thanks to the good relations the engineer enjoyed with the Munich firm after collaborating in Nelson Piquet's Formula 1 championship victory.

The Supercar was unveiled to the public for the first time during the curtain-raiser to the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix. The original interior had a central steering-wheel with passenger seats set slightly back to either side.

Performances were so impressive - with a top speed of 225mph - that Ron Dennis and Gordon Murray welcomed the idea of targeting selected high-end clients: hence the construction of a GTR racing version, geared for the new BPR championship and ultimately the Le Mans 24 Hours.

A first series of seven cars (chassis numbers 1 to 7) were built for the 1995 season:

Chassis 1: prototype, owned by McLaren Cars, winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours in
March 1995 (driven by Dalmas/ Lehto/ Sekiya); now property of
McLaren Cars
Chassis 2: driven by Belm/ Sala for GTC Motorsport, sponsored by Gulf Oil
Chassis 3: sold to Thomas Bscher, driven by Bscher/ Nielsen for West Competition
(David Price Racing), sponsored by Cigarettes West
Chassis 4: sold to Lindsey Owen-Jones, driven by Owen-Jones/ Raphanel for GTC Motorsport, sponsored by Gulf Oil
Chassis 5: sold to industrialist Jean-Luc Maury-Laribière, entered by BBA Competition
(Team Noel Del Bello), sponsored by Tuiles TBF
Chassis 6: sold to the Al Fayed family, driven by Grouillard/ Wallace/ Bell for Rack One Racing (David Price Racing), sponsored by Harrods
Chassis 7: sold to Mr Picard, driven by Giroix/ Grouillard/ Deletraz for Jacadi Racing, sponsored by Elf 2 Jacadi

Chassis number 5 was acquired by Jean-Luc Maury-Laribière - an industrialist from south-west France, defending the colours of his tile-making company TBF - who had taken part in the Venturi Trophy in 1992, 1993 and 1994, and in the 1994 Le Mans 24 Hours, behind the wheel of a Venturi 500 LM.

Irrespective of its history and track record, this McLaren is of especial note as a member of the ArtCar Pantheon: it was decorated for the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours by one of the most famous members of the Pop Art movement - the sculptor César.


THE ARTCAR CONCEPT

In the car-unfriendly context of the first oil crisis, auctioneer Hervé Poulain - a man 'mad about speed and beauty' - came up with the utterly novel idea of taking part in the 1975 Le Mans 24 Hours in a racing car painted by an internationally famous artist.

His vision encompassed the nobility of a racing car as an artistic support, with its powerful, wind-defined forms; the drama of motor racing; and the stature of the artist concerned.

Poulain aimed to take up the time-honoured, yet hitherto abortive, idea of associating Art and Industry - and offer an original gift to spectators at the world's most prestigious car race. The legendary Le Mans circuit lends itself perfectly to metaphor and catharsis; as once on Mount Olympus, the heart of the world beats here - every year for a day and a night.

With the backing of BMW Motorsport and its Competitions Director Jochen Neerpasch, the ArtCar concept was born.

Alexander Calder (1975), Frank Stella (1976), Roy Lichtenstein (1977) and Andy Warhol (1979) painted the first BMWs to be driven by Hervé Poulain at Le Mans, before the German carmakers abandoned endurance races in favour of Formula 1. Poulain later revived the concept, driving a Venturi 600 LM decorated by Arman at Le Mans in 1994; the McLaren F1 GTR Chassis n°5, painted by César, in 1995; and a Porsche GT2 painted by Wolinski in 1998.

This year BMW and Hervé Poulain are teaming up again, unveiling the latest ArtCar - painted by star American artist Jeff Koons - at the Pompidou Centre on May 30. The car will be competing in the 2010 Le Mans Classic on July 10/11.


POP ART

In reaction to the dominance of abstract art, pop culture - inspired by the everyday reality of the booming Consumer Society - caught the imagination on both sides of the Atlantic in the early 1960s.

American artists such as Lichtenstein, Warhol, Rauschenberg, Jasper Jones, Rosenquist and Wesselman tended to celebrate the new way of life; but artists in Paris - whether belonging to the Figuration Narrative (Erro, Adami, Rancillac, Télémaque, Klasen, Monory) or Nouveaux Réalistes movements - were more prone to denounce its contradictions and abuses.

In 1960 the celebrated French art critic Pierre Restany created the Nouveaux Réalistes movement, uniting a number of artists who appropriated and recycled industrial products - including Arman's accumulations of household waste; Tinguely's animated iron contraptions; the torn posters beloved of Hains, Villeglé and Rotella; Christo's packaging; Yves Klein's blue; Niki de Saint-Phalle's Nanas; and Spoerri's reliefs of meal remains.

The most popular member of the group was and remains César, 'the first man in the history of art and sculpture to use a machine-tool to produce a work of art.'

CESAR'S CHARIOT

César caused a sensation by exhibiting solid blocks of compressed cars at the Salon de Mai in 1960. An heir to Rodin and Giacometti, forerunner of John Chamberlain and soul-mate of Germaine Richier and Louise Bourgeois, César built on the ensuing scandal to pursue the history of sculpture by other means. With his Compressions, he invented a language without precedent or possible lineage.

His choice of cars was considered far from innocent - as if he were getting his own back on the cult object of the Consumer Society and its pollution, waste, accidents and traffic-jams. César, however, always claimed he was inspired solely by the aesthetics of crushed coloured metal - and that, at the time, he didn't have the money to cast bronzes, let alone carve marble …

His international reputation, however, was already established, as a whole room had been devoted to his work at the 1956 Venice Biennale - eight years before Rauschenberg received his Gran Premio there!

Thirty-five years after the iconoclastic gesture of his first compression, 10 years after his Peugeot compression Les Championnes, and just months after again representing France at the 46th Venice Biennale with a mountainous 24ft-high compression weighing 520 tonnes, César's automobile odyssey drew to a conclusion with the painting of the McLaren F1 GTR BMW ArtCar, whose drivers included Hervé Poulain.

Back in 1982, after making an initial farewell to competition, auctioneer Poulain had given César all the trophies he had won for rally-driving and at Le Mans. César transformed them into two gleaming compressions, saying: 'I have compressed your vanity but increased your glory.' And, indeed, César's compressions are to our contemporary mentalities what Vanity paintings were to men of the 17th century: a reflection on the insignificance of riches and the precarious nature of passion.

César's made a trompe l'œil print of these compressions when designing his ArtCar, explaining: 'It's rather like protective armour - in memory of the Riches Heures you've enjoyed at Le Mans.' César duly received a Roman triumph when he joined the three drivers at the pre-race parade!

Maury-Laribière was behind the wheel at the start, but pulled up after half-an-hour because of gear-box trouble. He set off again at 5.08pm. As evening drew in, the rains came down. Maury and Marc Sourd battled through the night, climbing from 44th to 17th by halfway. I happened to be at the wheel on the Sunday morning, just as television coverage was starting. Gounon's Venturi attacked me as we approached the Dunlop footbridge. In panic, my four wheels skidded on the wet surface and embarked me on some sort of ballet solo. It wasn't my life that flashed before the eyes, but a close-up of my horrified team-mates! I hit the brakes. The McLaren seemed to stabilize, pirouetting back-to-front on the track. Whew! The car made a second salto and I again blocked the wheels, now finding myself facing in the right direction. Not without luck, I had performed a manœuvre worthy of driving school. Relief was stronger than vanity - relief at avoiding the 'compression' of my precious $1 million McLaren (not counting the paintwork)… Back in the stalls, we fêted our 13th place and the team joked about my free-skating routine shown live on TV…

- Hervé Poulain (1995)


McLAREN F1 GTR Chassis n°5 - RESULTS

1995
Paul Ricard: 5th - Fabre/ Maury-Laribière/ Lecuyer
Monza: 8th - Fabre/ Maury-Laribière/ Lecuyer
Paris-Montlhéry: abandoned (3rd fastest in practice) - Sourd/ Maury-Laribière/ Lecuyer
Susuka: 11th - Maury-Laribière/ Libert/ Harada
Le Mans: 13th - Sourd/ Maury-Laribière/ Poulain

1996
Paul Ricard: 10th - Sourd/ Maury-Laribière/ Hugenholtz
Monza: abandoned - Sourd/ Maury-Laribière/ Hugenholtz
Jarama: 22nd - Maury-Laribière/ Hugenholtz/ Camp
Silverstone: 16th - Maury-Laribière/ Hugenholtz/ Vosse
Nürburgring: 11th - Maury-Laribière/ Hugenholtz
Anderstorp: abandoned (11th fastest in practice) - Clerico/ Maury-Laribière
Susuka: abandoned (14th fastest in practice) - Clerico/ Maury-Laribière/ Libert
Spa: 21st - Maury-Laribière/ Libert/ Hugenholtz
Nogaro: abandoned (10th fastest in practice) - Grouillard/ Maury-Laribière

1997
Hockenheim: 14th - Thévenin/ Maury-Laribière
Nürburgring: 17th - Maury-Laribière/ Velay
Spa: 22nd - Maury-Laribière/ Velay/ Chauvin
Susuka: abandoned - Maury-Laribière/ Harada/ Yoshikawa


In line with the initial spirit of the BPR Championship, the car was driven by amateurs assisted by a professional, who varied according to the type of race: Pascal Fabre (F1), Emmanuel Clerico (F3000), Olivier Grouillard (F1), Marc Sourd (French Supertouring Champion).

At the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1996, Maury-Laribière teamed up with former Indy 500 Champion Arie Luyendyk and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Stanley Dickens. Sadly the splendid McLaren failed to qualify after sustaining damage during practice.

Later the car was sold to a businessman who had taken part in the 1997 Lamborghini Trophy. He did not enter the N°5 for any races, but meticulously maintained it so he could drive it at circuits whenever he felt like it.

Like many demanding connoisseurs, we believe that the first seven GTRs, built for the BPR 1995 season, remain the finest and purest - reflecting Gordon Murray's creative genius without correction or addition.