Latest News: Track action underway in Bahrain; new cars, new entrants for WEC announced

Track action is underway for 2016 WEC finale Porsche's Neel Jani headed the time sheets in Free Practice 1, with Aston Martin Racing leading the way in LMGTE Pro.  For all the news on the first track action for the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain CLICK HERE Under the floodlights at night for the second Free Practice session Neel Jani scorched to fastest lap of the day with a 1m39.817s.  The No.2 Porsche 919 Hybrid was 0.455s quicker than the sister car of Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard. G-Drive Racing went to the top of the time sheets in LMP2, while Aston Martin Racing led the way in LMGTE Pro and Am.  For all the headlines from this session CLICK HERE  For all the times from the two practice sessions today CLICK HERE Retrouvez ICI tous les articles de notre site en version française.

Where to follow the 6 Hours of Bahrain on TV This weekend’s Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain, taking place at the impressive Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir between 17-19 November, will be the scene for the thrilling conclusion to a number of championship title battles including the World Endurance Drivers’ and the World GT Manufacturers’ championships. The action will be intense, with much at stake, and there is huge anticipation throughout the 31-car field.  The ninth and final round of the WEC begins at 16h00 local time and will race into the night. The 5.412 km (3.363 miles), 15 turn track, which can be very slippery off line due to the sand around the track,will test the drivers’ skill and driving at night under the floodlights can often produce drama.  If you are unable to attend in person – missing out on what is likely to be an incredible spectacle of the world’s most sophisticated and high-performing sports prototypes and GT cars racing making their annual visit to the Middle East – don’t worry! The WEC has put together a comprehensive list of live television coverage to be shown via major broadcasters around the world, ensuring that you don’t miss any of the WEC action.  To read more about the TV distribution schedule CLICK HERE The full list of coverage can be found HERE

New Porsche 911 RSR revealed! The new generation Porsche 911 RSR has been unveiled at the LA Auto Show to universal interest and anticipation for its track debut in 2017.  The new model is a mid-engined design powered by a four-litre flat-six engine mounted in front of the rear axle.  “While retaining the typical 911 design, this is the biggest evolution in the history of our top GT model,” said Head of Porsche Motorsport Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser.  “For the 911 RSR, we deliberately focused on a particularly modern and light normally-aspirated engine, as this gave our engineers immense latitude in developing the vehicle.  “Apart from that, in principle, the GTE and GT Le Mans class regulations stipulate the absolute equality of various drive concepts, as the torque characteristics of turbo and normally aspirated engines are aligned.”  The endurance world is looking forward to seeing the racing version of the new model back in the FIA WEC next season. In the meantime the WEC paddock will be able to see the car on display here at the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain.

BR and Dallara join forces for new LMP1 car A new contender in LMP1 will race in the 2018 FIA World Endurance Championship it has been revealed today.  The Russian BR Engineering company which was behind the BR01 LMP2 car which has raced over the last two seasons, will enter the LMP1 class as its own manufacturer after announcing an exciting new partnership with Dallara.  Boris Rotenberg, President of BR Engineering (left in picture above), and Andrea Pontremoli, CEO of Dallara, signed a collaboration agreement recently to confirm the new alliance. Development and operational support will be handled by renowned French squad – ART Grand Prix.  "We raised a challenge to ourselves," said Boris Rotenberg.  "It was possible to buy a chassis of one of the four manufacturers of LMP2 for a season, also it was possible to leave for good, but we have always chosen our own path.  “Dallara’s name is known to anyone who is familiar with motor racing. Now we have become partners, and BR Engineering's new project has started here in Italy where the best designers and engineers, both from Russia and from Europe, will create a Russian prototype for Russian team SMP Racing."  Image with thanks to BR Engineering

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