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LMS round 1 - Barcelona 1000 kms. 3-5 April 2009

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  • LMS round 1 - Barcelona 1000 kms. 3-5 April 2009

    Well, it's almost time to go racing...

    This week-end, Spyker Squadron will participate in it's first race of the 2009 season: The first round of the Le Mans Series, the Barcelona 1000 kms. Le Mans Series

    __2009_catalunya_240_240.jpg
    Last edited by Laviolette GT2R; 01-04-2009, 20:24.
    Winning on sunday, selling on monday!

  • #2
    Spyker Squadron ready for 2009 Le Mans Series Season

    Spyker Squadron opens its Le Mans Series GT2 championship campaign at the F1 Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, this weekend. The 1000 km of Catalunya marks the first time the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R will race this season. Spyker will again compete in the five round Le Mans Series championship and, in June, in the famous and most gruelling race of all: the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As announced earlier, Dutchman Tom Coronel will share the wheel with the Czech race talent Jarek Janis.

    The team used the long winter to further improve their Laviolette GT2 racer and optimised it to perform well under the latest Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) technical and sporting rules. To name a few of the changes: the new GT2 cars have gained 20 kgs and now weight 1145 kg, the ride-height has been increased by 5 mm and the air restrictors are 5 percent smaller; all with the goal to further increase the safety levels by reducing the overall speed and performance of the cars.

    The Dutch team tested various components and systems of the car over the winter period at various tracks in Europe. The most recent test, the official Le Mans Series test at Paul Ricard earlier this month, was used to test their GT2 car in full 2009 specifications.

    Peter van Erp, Managing Director Spyker Squadron: "I think you could say that we have never been so well prepared for our first race in the season. We had a good test at Paul Ricard -the team claimed the third quickest time in GT2- and will bring some new updates, such as a new rear wing and front splitter, to this first race in Barcelona. Both aero devices have been further optimised and will increase down-force whilst reducing drag at the same time".

    Peter continues: "We have also fitted the final version of our new rear-wheel suspension to our Barcelona car. A system that we tested earlier on at our Vallelunga test but not at Paul Ricard earlier this month. The new rear-wheel suspension will result in better and most of all 'easier' steering behavior. Of course the efficiency level of all these new post-Paul Ricard updates depend on our abilities to maximise the use of the two 1,5 hour training sessions to correctly set-up and align all updates. If we can manage that, I do not see why we cannot drive top-5 times".

    Also new this year are the pit stops; In previous years 4 mechanics with a total of 2 wheel guns changed the tires. This year only two mechanics, sharing a single wheel gun, will have to complete the very same job. These new pit stop rules have been implemented by the ACO with the idea to drive the tire manufacturers to develop double stinting capable tires to further reduce costs.

    The trucks left the team's workshop in Zeewolde last Sunday. The first official training is scheduled on Friday but the team will immediately start practising their new pit stop strategy on Thursday. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday 15:00 CET. The 1000 km or six hour race will start on Sunday at 11:30.

    Source: Nieuwsdetail | Spykercars

    Looks like the team did a lot of work this winter! So I have high hopes for the race this weekend. Fingers crossed that everything stays in 1 piece...

    Comment


    • #3
      Checking out the competition...

      Let's take a look at the competitors in the GT2 class:


      Ferrari F430GT Teams:

      Last year the LMS title was won by a team fielding a Ferrari, and the Le Mans 24 hour race was again won in a Ferrari. So Ferrari is the car to beat! And it shows: This year six teams will field a Ferrari 430GT, one of those teams even three. In total there will be 8 Ferrari’s F430GT!

      #81 - Easyrace
      This team is new to the LMS Series, they have a 2009 chassis, drivers will be Maurice Basso, Roberto Plati and Gianpaolo Tenchini. Their Ferrari will be the only one to use Pirelli tyres.

      #84 - Team Modena
      This team has quite some GT1 experience but will be new in the GT2 class. For the last three years they entered an Aston Martin DBR9 in the GT1 class in various races and championships. For the upcoming season they will use a new 2009 Ferrari 430GT, which the team only received in februari. Still they were able to test the car twice. Drivers will be Antonio Garcia and Leo Mansell (yes, son of…). Tyres will be supplied by Michelin.

      #89 - Hankook - Team Farnbacher
      This team has expanded their efforts. Last year they entered one Porsche on Michelins and one Ferrari on Dunlop tyres… This year they will bring three Ferrari’s, one of which is a 2009 chassis backed by Hankook tyres. Drivers for this car will be Allan Simonson, Christian Montanari and Dominik Schwager.

      #90 - Farnbacher Racing
      This entry will probably be a new 2009 chassis. It will be on Dunlop tyres. The drivers for this car are Pierre Ehret and Anthony Beltoise.

      #91 - Farnbacher Racing
      The third Ferrari of this team will be, most likely, last year's chassis and will be piloted by Gabrio Rosa, Andrea Montermini and Giacomo Petrobelli. Just like the #90 car, this one will also use Dunlop tyres.

      #92 - JMW Motorsport
      Robert Bell, last year’s GT2 champion will be driving for this team, that’s new in the LMS Series. Bell will be partnered by Gianmaria Bruni. Their Ferrari, like many others will rely on Dunlop tyres.

      #96 - Virgo Motorsport
      This team will most certainly field last year’s championship winning Ferrari. New drivers this year for this squad: Michael McInerney, Sean McInerney and Michael Vergers. Like last year, Dunlop tyres will be used.

      #99 - JMB Racing
      The drivers to wheel this Ferrari will be John hartshorne, Yvan Lebon and Romain Lanetta. This Ferrari will also be Dunlop shod.


      Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Teams:

      For the 2009 race seaon, Porsche is back with a vengeance! Last year they were defeated by Ferrari in the LMS and the 24 hours of Le Mans. For this season, Porsche fitted their 911 with significant mechanical and body upgrades. To add to this: Michelin specially developed a suitable tyre for this year's Porsche. On top of that, unlike Ferrari, Porsche will lend some factory drivers to their customer teams, thereby indicating they do take their business very seriously!

      Noticeable at first sight are the air slots on the front hood, which were needed for the completely redesigned radiator air ducting, as a result of the necessity of fitting the new air-conditioning unit, in order to comply with the ACO 2009 regulations. At the rear, some changes were made also: The diffuser underwent further fine-tuning and the rear wing was redesigned for a wider adjustment range.

      76 - Imsa Performance Matmut
      This very experienced team will have the improved 2009 chassis. Drivers will be Raymond Narac and Patrick Pilet, who is a Porsche factory driver. Michelin tyres will be used just like last year.

      77 - Team Felbermayr Proton
      This squad will definitely use the 2009 chassis. Both drivers, Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz, are Porsche factory drivers. This team also uses the Michelin tyres.

      88 - Team Felbermayr Proton
      I'm not sure if this team will field two 2009 chassis so it could be that this will be a 2008 chassis. Horst Jr. Felbermayr, Horst Sr. Felbermayr and Christian Ried will be the drivers on this Porsche. Michelin tyres again, so that means all three Porsches are on Michelin tyres.


      Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R Team(s)

      According to Squadronleader Peter van Erp, the Spyker team is better prepared than ever. They claim to have overcome the engine problems that hampered them last year. During the LMS Paul Ricard test the Spyker was very fast, so it promises to be a good season for Spyker!

      85 - Snoras Spyker Squadron
      This team will use the same chassis as last year but a slightly different chassisnumber indicates some upgrades on this front. Drivers will be Tom Coronel, who has been driving for Spyker on several occasions, and Jarek Janis, who competed for Spyker in 2007 also. Michelin tyres will be used, just like last year.


      Aston Martin Vantage GT2 Team(s)

      This team is new to the LMS Series. Testing has been limited due to off-season preparations, such as advancements made in the powertrain and suspension, and travel. This being the only LMS Series team to have taken part in the Sebring 12 hour race in march. However, the official Le Mans Series test at the Circuit Paul Ricard in early March and the race weekend in Sebring have provided the team strong insight into the gains made by the team and Aston Martin Racing over the winter. The knowledge garnered in these events has helped the team to fine tune the V8-powered entry to the Michelin tyres.

      87 - Drayson Racing
      Lord Drayson, Minister of Science and Innovation for the United Kingdom, debuts Drayson Racing in 2009. The Official Partner Team of Aston Martin Racing enters the #87 Aston Martin Vantage GT2 in the Le Mans Series with drivers Paul Drayson and Jonny Cocker on Michelin Tyres.
      Last edited by Laviolette GT2R; 03-04-2009, 10:30.
      Winning on sunday, selling on monday!

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks for the preview! This certainly helps, I only wished that there were any livestreams of the race. But it looks like there will only be a few hours on Eurosport (which I don't have). Also Radio Le Mans won't be at Barcelona. So only live timing remains...

        Comment


        • #5
          Preview

          Preview GT2 class

          Thirteen cars have been entered for the opening race of the 2009 Le Mans Series season and there is a lot of variety throughout the field. Ferrari, Porsche, Spyker and Aston Martin have all entered a car; the new Lamborghini GT2 isn’t racing at Barcelona. The four car manufacturers will bring four tyre manufacturers: Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop and Hankook.

          The best drivers of 2008, Bell and Bruni, will again be racing a Ferrari F430 owned by James McWhirter. This year though the car will be racing under the JMW Motorsport banner rather than Virgo Motorsport. If it is going to be yet another Ferrari year the #92 JMW Ferrari is the main candidate for taking the championship. Hankook-Team Farnbacher has also drafted in a great line-up for their #89 Ferrari though. Schwager, Montanari and Simonsen will defend the team’s honours in Spain.

          Team Felbermayr-Proton’s #77 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR has Porsche works drivers Lieb and Lietz, a great pair in what should be considered as the main Ferrari rival. The Felbermayr-Proton Porsche should be able to beat the Ferrari’s and be in the race for victory all the way to the end.
          The second best Porsche is also one that could still win a race. Narac will be joined by French Porsche works driver Pilet in the #75 RSR.

          Outsiders for podium finishes in the GT2 category are the #84 Team Modena Ferrari F430 (Garcia, Mansell), the #85 Snoras Spyker Squadron Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R (Coronel, Janis).
          Drayson Racing hopes to bring the Aston Martin Vantage GT2 some nice results; Drayson and Cocker will do their best in the #87 entry.

          The other car should be able to finish in the points but are likely not to finish on the podium under normal circumstances. The other cars at Barcelona are: #81 Easyrace (Ferrari), #88 Team Felbermayr-Proton (Porsche), FBR (2x Ferrari), Virgo Motorsport (with Vergers joining father and son McInerney in the Ferrari) and the Ferrari of JMB Racing.

          Source: Planetlemans
          Winning on sunday, selling on monday!

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by AX lover View Post
            Thanks for the preview! This certainly helps, I only wished that there were any livestreams of the race. But it looks like there will only be a few hours on Eurosport (which I don't have). Also Radio Le Mans won't be at Barcelona. So only live timing remains...
            Eurosport will only broadcast from 11:15 - 12:00, 12:45 - 13:15 and finally some highlights at midnight. So that means no live finish on Eurosport. And as you mentioned, no live streams and no Radio Le Mans. So, indeed, only the live timing remains, that can be found here: Le Mans Series (click on the Live Timing button) or here: Chronométrage - Races Information Services (select 4 & 5 April : 1000 Km of Catalunya)

            I will add the time table for this week-end's race as well and try to keep you up-to-date!

            Here's the schedule:

            Friday
            16:20 - 17:50 First free practice

            Saturday
            10:45 - 12:15 Second free practice
            15:00 - 15:20 Qualifying for GT1 and GT2 (Spyker is in this class)

            Sunday
            09:00 - 09:20 Warm-up
            11:30 - 17:30 Race
            Winning on sunday, selling on monday!

            Comment


            • #7
              1st Free Practice Results

              YES: THEY DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

              In an effort very late in the session Jarek Janis managed to put the fastest time in.
              Excellent, Well Done!
              1. #85 - Snoras Spyker Squadron 1:49.984
              2. #77 - Team Felbermayr - Proton 1:50.085
              3. #76 - IMSA Performance Matmut 1:50.490
              4. #91 - FBR 1:50.575
              5. #84 - Team Modena 1:50.733
              6. #90 - FBR 1:50.863
              7. #89 - Hankook - Team Farnbacher 1:50.894
              8. #92 - JMW Motorsport 1:51.663
              9. #88 - Team Felbermayr - Proton 1:52.007
              10. #99 - JMB Racing 1:52.389
              11. #87 - Drayson Racing 1:52.571
              12. #96 - Virgo Motorsport 1:52.996
              13. #81 - Easyrace 1:53.357
              Winning on sunday, selling on monday!

              Comment


              • #8
                Good to see this! Especially because Spyker normaly only focusses on the setup in practice and don't try to set a quick time. Even in the qualification they normally just try to find a good setup for the race.

                When this is still the case we can expect a lot on sunday

                Comment


                • #9
                  2nd Free Practice

                  Spyker managed 6th place in the second, and last, free practice. That might sound a little bit dissapointing after setting the fastest time in the previous session but if we look at the gap it is not looking too bad for the race. The time difference between Spyker and 3rd position is less than 1/2 a second.
                  1. #77 - Team Felbermayr - Proton 1:48.145
                  2. #92 - JMW Motorsport 1:48.729
                  3. #76 - IMSA Performance Matmut 1:48.966
                  4. #84 - Team Modena 1:49.250
                  5. #99 - JMB Racing 1:49.343
                  6. #85 - Snoras Spyker Squadron 1:49.386
                  7. #89 - Hankook - Team Farnbacher 1:49.872
                  8. #90 - FBR 1:49.938
                  9. #96 - Virgo Motorsport 1:50.599
                  10. #88 - Team Felbermayr - Proton 1:51.138
                  11. #87 - Drayson Racing 1:51.237
                  12. #81 - Easyrace 1:52.424
                  13. #91 - FBR 1:52.569
                  Winning on sunday, selling on monday!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Qualifying Result

                    Spyker managed 9th place in qualifying for tomorrows Barcelona 1000 kms. A bit further down the grid than I expected but as AX lover pointed out allready, the Squadron mainly focusses on racepace rather then gridpositions, but still...
                    1. #92 - JMW Motorsport 1:48.606
                    2. #84 - Team Modena 1:48.666
                    3. #76 - IMSA Performance Matmut 1:48.752
                    4. #77 - Team Felbermayr - Proton 1:49.006
                    5. #99 - JMB Racing 1:49.424
                    6. #89 - Hankook - Team Farnbacher 1:49.552
                    7. #90 - FBR 1:49.848
                    8. #91 - FBR 1:50.164
                    9. #85 - Snoras Spyker Squadron 1:50.180
                    10. #96 - Virgo Motorsport 1:50.368
                    11. #87 - Drayson Racing 1:50.492
                    12. #88 - Team Felbermayr - Proton 1:51.368
                    13. #81 - Easyrace 1:51.470
                    Winning on sunday, selling on monday!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      SNORAS Spyker Squadron 1000 km of Catalunya Qualifying

                      SNORAS Spyker Squadron will start from a ninth place on the GT2 grid tomorrow. The Dutch team, with Jarek Janis and Tom Coronel behind the wheel, were unfortunately not able to continue their strong performance in this first race weekend of the season and qualified 1,5 seconds behind the GT2 pole sitter. Compared to yesterday and this morning the times of most teams were down, most likely due to the increase of the track temperature.

                      The day started with clear skies and a temperature of ten degrees centigrade. Today's 1,5 hour free practice session was used to further continue to find a good set-up for the race and this afternoon's qualifying session. Although the team could not repeat yesterday's P1 in the first free practice session, Tom Coronel improved his time this morning by another six tenths of a second and set the sixth time in class.

                      At three o'clock in the afternoon the team waited for 9 minutes before leaving the pit lane in the 20 minute GT qualifying session. Immediately after Tom completed the first corners he told the team over the radio that the car was over steering a lot in the quick long corners. With four minutes to go Tom set a time of 1:50.380, almost a second slower than this morning. He improved his time a lap later by 2 hundreds of a second to 1:50.180, the ninth time in class.

                      Tom Coronel: "Qualifying did not go as good as expected. In our quest to go for a maximum result we tried something that did not work as we had hoped for. The car suffered from a lot of over-steer, in particular in long quick corners. The Marc Lieb Porsche also lost eight tenths of a second and compared to last year the gap is much smaller. I am very pleased with the car so far and we know what needs to be done to be quick tomorrow!"

                      Peter van Erp, Managing Director Spyker Squadron: "We had a good start this weekend and already used two sets of fresh tires in the Friday session. One set was used for a qualifying run that set us on P1 in the first session. We continued to improve our set-up this morning. We decided to choose for a soft stabi in qualifying but unfortunately that did not work out as planned. We know what to do to be quick tomorrow".

                      The race will start tomorrow at 11:30 CET.

                      Video and New Media
                      Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/spykersquadron
                      Twitter: www.twitter.com/spykersquadron
                      Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31030723532
                      Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spykersquadron/

                      Source: http://www.spykersquadron.com/?pag=71&newsid=615

                      Very nice all these new possibilities!

                      Video: Spyker Squadron Catalunya onboard Tom Coronel.
                      http://www.vimeo.com/4001295
                      Last edited by AX lover; 04-04-2009, 20:05.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        SNORAS Spyker Squadron Catalunya Qualifying Update

                        SNORAS Spyker Squadron driver Tom Coronel will be joined by Benjamin Leuenberger in the 1000 km race tomorrow. Swiss driver Benjamin Leuenberger will replace Jarek Janis after he suffered from an old neck injury. Spyker Squadron team management decided it was better for Jarek not to drive.

                        This afternoon the team found Alexandre Pesci, Spyker partner and team owner of Swiss Speedy Racing, prepared to use one of his LMP2 drivers to drive the Spyker GT2 car in tomorrow’s race. Benjamin drives a Lola LMP2 Coupe this year with Jonny Kane and Xavier Pompidou. The Swiss team will race tomorrow with two drivers.

                        The team feels very sorry for Jarek, he did do very well this weekend. We are grateful that Alexandre Pesci and Benjamin Leuenberger positively replied to our call for help.

                        Source: Nieuwsdetail | Spykercars

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          First pictures are also online: Gallery | Spykercars

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Nice Vid !
                            Winning on sunday, selling on monday!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              The race is over for Spyker?

                              First to pit, Tom Coronel, a problem at the left rear, oil on the tyre it seems. The car is rolled back into the box. Coronel apparently spun and clipped a Porsche.
                              Daily Sports Car - Sportscar Racing's Internet Magazine

                              The race is underway for 30 minutes now. The Spyker is in the pitbox with an oil leak and the mechanics are investigating the problem.
                              Twitter / Spyker Squadron: The race is underway for 3 ...

                              Comment

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