So close and yet so far – is one way in which you might describe Corvette Racing’s result in this year’s Le Mans 24 Hour race. After 24 hours of thrilling, nail-biting racing, the top three cars were separated at the chequered flag by just 96 seconds, and the crowds loved it. During the race, the top cars in the GTE Pro class swapped places regularly as the pit stop sequences … [Read more...]
Ford GT thunder
The Ford WEC team is based at Greatworth, just a few miles from the Silverstone circuit where the first round of the 2017 WEC series kicked off. Ford’s plan in 2017 is of course to keep the Blue Oval flag flying high, and if the first two races of the season are anything to go by, the Ford GT thunder will just keep rumbling on. In 2016, Ford’s first full season back in … [Read more...]
WEC Silverstone 6 Hours 2017
A really cold wind greeted the teams, media and attendees on Thursday at the start of the WEC Silverstone 6 Hours. And although it was dark overhead at times, the day remained dry. This day was given over to set up, preparation and scrutineering, and apart from some practice by the ELMS and supporting races, there was no EC action at all. Thursday 13 April 2017 Where … [Read more...]
2017 FIA/WEC Prologue
The 2017 FIA/WEC Prologue at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on 1st and 2nd April showcased its newest competitors and also some familiar team names. As well as being the first action of WEC racing season, it is also the last official opportunity the teams will have before the first race of the season at Silverstone, just a fortnight away on 15/16 April. A total of 27 cars … [Read more...]
6h of Bahrain – Last round gentlemen
As the leaves and the temperatures start to fall at VMP Towers, thoughts go to the warmth of the Bahraini welcome which awaits the FIA WEC family as we gather in the desert to watch the 6h of Bahrain, 2016 season finale. So, without further ado, it's ‘last round gentlemen’ as windscreens get polished, tyres checked and mirrors adjusted for that last blast in the desert at the … [Read more...]
If the Audi withdrawal was a splash
If the Audi withdrawal was a splash…there’s a Tsunami coming Much has been written of the future of the six Audi WEC drivers after the announcement by Audi to withdraw from WEC at the end of the 2016 season, less so though about the fate of the army of dedicated technicians and support infrastructure. The decision by Audi to withdraw from the WEC has in effect … [Read more...]
Anecdotes from a motoring journalist
Anecdotes from a motoring journalist – I have been fortunate enough to visit many interesting places, and to see and drive cars that would not ordinarily be possible in other occupations. Not only has this been a great pleasure and a privilege for me, but having been born and grown up in distant South Africa, I have witnessed the world of motoring and motorsport in the … [Read more...]
WEC Round 5 Mexico
Welcome to the land of hot chillies, cacti, sombreros and of course…, Speedy Gonzales. Endurance racing hasn’t taken place in Mexico on a World Championship platform for twenty-five years. The last Group C races here were won by Jean-Louis Schlesser/Jochen Mass in 1989 (Sauber Mercedes), Jochen Mass/Michael Schumacher in 1990 (Sauber Mercedes), and Keke Rosberg/Yannick Dalmas … [Read more...]
Virtual Motorpix’ Top 10 racers
Four weeks ago we enjoyed the 2016 Silverstone Classic and once again, there were in the order of 1000 race cars competing across a wide spectrum of classes and eras. We have attempted to select just ten racers from amongst this awesome field, and called them the ‘VMP Top 10 racers.’ These were selected for reasons that they reminded us of a golden era of motorsport, or for … [Read more...]
Le Mans rollercoaster
Now imagine yourself in a rollercoaster at your local fair with its multiple ups and downs, and even upside down loops. In a similar way, the 24-Hour race this last weekend was a bit like a Le Mans rollercoaster ride, one minute Porsche was up, then it was Toyota, and even the cars within the same team swapped positions regularly. In the end though, it was Porsche who … [Read more...]
