THE LINE

November 10, 2010

(Bob Chapman Photo)
Jörg Bergmeister and Patrick Long finished sixth overall in their factory-entered Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid in the 1,000K of Zhuhai, China, on Sunday, the third and final round of the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Bergmeister and Long already had won their second straight driver championship in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón this season. Porsche’s hybrid racing machine placed ahead of the field’s other production-based GT cars and was three laps ahead of the GT2-winning BMW M3 GT. The hybrid ran as an experimental entry and wasn’t officially classified - as was the case at Road Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA 2 last month in the finale of the 2010 ALMS championship. “Our car ran perfectly from the first to the last lap,” said Bergmeister, a five-time ALMS champion. “That was another super test of the hybrid system under race conditions - and the most successful conclusion I could think of.” It was the first time in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid for American Porsche factory driver Long.

(Image © 2010 - John Thawley)
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón has announced that its race at Road America originally scheduled for Sunday, August 21 is now set for Saturday, August 20. As a result, the Series’ annual stop in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, will revert back to a four-hour format instead of two hours, 45 minutes as originally announced. “The ALMS is endurance racing at its finest.” said Road America President and GM George Bruggenthies. “It just makes sense that this premier sports car series should have the chance to stretch its legs a little on one of America’s most storied road courses. But most importantly, it is something that our fans have asked for, so we are delighted to bring back the four-hour race to our 2011 schedule. The fans have always appreciated the sophisticated race cars and the excitement that the ALMS’ multiple classes provide along with that spectacular sunset finish.” Many drivers categorize Road America as their favorite track on the circuit. “Most drivers, myself included, will tell you that Road America is a great place to race,” said reigning LMP co-champion David Brabham of Patrón Highcroft Racing. “Its layout is fast, challenging and bloody fun to drive. The course has a great mix of turns, straightaways and elevation changes which makes it all very exciting for drivers and fans alike. And the American Le Mans Series always gets such a great reception there.” The 2011 season marks a decade of ALMS racing at Road America - America's National Park of Speed - in Elkhart Lake. The 2010 race was one of the most exciting in the history of the ALMS as Drayson Racing’s Jonny Cocker passed Klaus Graf of Muscle Milk Team CytoSport two turns from the finish to win a frantically fought battle that saw the four leading prototypes finish within six seconds of each other.

 Road America, IndyCar. Could the reason for the above item also be that Road America is making room for an IndyCar Series race that Sunday to replace the loss of Edmonton? Stay tuned, but don't be surprised if an ALMS/IndyCar double-header at America's National Park of Speed is in the works for next season.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: If you really must keep up on all of the latest F1 developments and the potential U.S. GP in Austin, Texas, go here. - PMD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD

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