WRC Rallye de France - Tour de Corse : Latvala, empereur sur l’asphalte français !/ Latvala… French asphalt Emperor!

Après l’Alsace en 2014, Jari-Matti Latvala et Miikka Anttila (Volkswagen/Michelin) ont de nouveau remporté le Rallye de France, en Corse cette fois. Elfyn Evans (Ford, +43s1) a créé la surprise en terminant deuxième, devant Andreas Mikkelsen (VW) qui échoué à 3s2 du Gallois. Quentin Gilbert est Champion du monde Juniors.

Après Markku Alèn (1983, 84, Jari-Matti Latvala est le 2^e Finlandais à remporter le Tour de Corse, à Ajaccio, ville natale de l’Empereur Napoléon Bonaparte.

Leader après l’ES3 grâce à une superbe performance dans des conditions dantesques, le Gallois Elfyn Evans (Ford) a dû s’incliner face au pilote VW en fin de 2^e étape, quand la météo est redevenue clémente sur l’Ile de Beauté. Jari-Matti Latvala a remporté sa 3^e victoire de la saison – la 15^e de sa carrière - après un accident lors des essais la semaine passée.

« Je suis très heureux, oui », avouait Jari-Matti à l’arrivée de la dernière spéciale. « J’ai gagné en Alsace l’an passé, et cette année en Corse. C’est ma seconde victoire sur asphalte, ce qui prouve que je suis performant sur tous les types de surface. »

Evans (2^e) fut impérial dans les conditions difficiles, vendredi, où l’île fut balayée par un déluge. Il n’a pu lutter face à Latvala, mais le pilote Ford est parvenu à conserver l’avantage pour 3s2 sur le Norvégien Andreas Mikkelsen (VW) à l’issue de la dernière spéciale. Le jeune Gallois signe le meilleur résultat de sa carrière après une 3^e place en Argentine cette saison.

Andreas Mikkelsen s’est offert un nouveau podium mondial. Reparti en Rally2 après un problème de boîte de vitesse, Sébastien Ogier n’a pu fêter son 3^e titre par une victoire en Corse. Mais le Français a de nouveau prouvé sa pointe de vitesse en remportant la Power Stage.

Kris Meeke (4^e, Citroën) n’a pas été très à l’aise sur les routes insulaires ce week-end, mais il termine à une place d’honneur devant Hayden Paddon (5^e, Hyundai), qui découvrait ce rallye, et son équipier Mads Ostberg (6^e, Citroën), visiblement bien remis de sa blessure avant le Rallye d’Australie.

Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) et Kevin Abbring (Hyundai) ont été victimes de sorties de route. Le Néerlandais avait pourtant réalisé une belle prestation le premier jour en terminant à la 2^e place.

En WRC-2, le Champion de France Julien Maurin (Ford) a dominé ses adversaires. Esapekka Lappi (Skoda) marque néanmoins des points importants au championnat.

Quentin Gilbert est sacré Champion du monde Junior (Citroën/Michelin) après une nouvelle victoire cette saison, alors que le vainqueur du Tour de Corse 1993 François Delecour (Porsche/Michelin) a remporté la catégorie R-GT.

Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila put their Volkswagen/Michelin at the top of the order in France for the second year running, this time in Corsica, a year after their Rallye de France triumph in Alsace. Elfyn Evans (+43.1s) caused a surprise by securing second thanks to an impressive Day 1 performance. Andreas Mikkelsen’s late bid to clinch third failed by 3.2s. World Champion Sébastien Ogier dropped out of the fight following a gearbox issue after Friday’s action.

Jari-Matti Latvala was in imperial form today to seal the 2015 Tour de Corse win in Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The rally’s early pace-setter had been M-Sport Ford/Michelin’s Elfyn Evans who survived the horrendous conditions that marred Friday and Saturday morning (SS2 and SS4 cancelled) to run in front until Saturday afternoon.

However, once the poor weather had passed, Latvala switched to the offensive and completed the second leg marginally in front, two seconds clear of Ford’s Welshman. The combination of a focused drive over the last day’s three tests (94.91km) and the proven efficiency of his Volkswagen Polo R WRC/Michelin then allowed him to cross the line 43 seconds clear of Evans.

It was a clearly a huge relief for the Finn whose Tour de Corse build-up started with a crash in pre-event testing which obviously didn’t help Volkswagen Motorsport’s preparations, but he bounced back to claim the 15^th victory of his career, his third of the season. He is also only the second Finn to win in Corsica after Markku Alèn (Lancia, 1983 and 1984).

“I am really pleased,” enthused the 30-year old after the final stage. “I won in France last year and now I’ve managed to do it again in Corsica. It’s great to win another asphalt rally to show that I’m competitive on every type of surface.”

Evans (2^nd) showed well when the conditions were at their worst after big storms swept across the Mediterranean island at the end of last week. The Welshman was as surprised as anyone to find himself in front but was then smart enough not to try to follow Latvala’s pace on the drier roads. It was the ideal way for the Ford driver to bounce back from his disastrous Rally Australia.

A late charge by Mikkelsen failed to deprive Evans of the silver medal in Corsica by 3.2s. The Norwegian ensured there were two Polo R WRCs on the podium again, though, after Ogier’s dream of celebrating his third world title on home soil was thwarted by a transmission problem on Day 1.

A long way back, the top six was rounded out by Citroën’s Kris Meeke (4^th, +1m33.4s), who never really looked comfortable on the Corsican stages, Hyundai’s fast-learner Hayden Paddon (5^th, +1m53.6s) and DS3 WRC driver Mads Ostberg (6^th, +1m59.8s).

In addition to Ogier, the rally’s other big victim was Kevin Abbring, another smart, quick learner. Hyundai’s fourth man figured in second place on Friday evening but fell back because of a poor set-up on Saturday and eventually crashed on the penultimate stage.

Frenchman Julien Maurin (Ford) defended his WRC2 lead to claim the class comfortably clear of Esapekka Lappi (Skoda, +20.9s) who will be glad of the points to help his title chances.

Quentin Gilbert (Citroën/Michelin) wrapped up the 2015 JWRC crown with a fine victory on his home event, while the 1993 Tour de Corse winner François Delecour was the easy RGT winner (Porsche/Michelin).

This Porsche 911 S was entombed in a barn for 27 years

A simple conversation about automotive tastes was all it took for this ultra-desirable 1967 Porsche 911 S to be revealed, after languishing for 27 years in a barn in Pennsylvania…

A second chance at life

The first-year Porsche 911 S is the darling of Porsche enthusiasts, so for Classic Driver dealer LBI Limited to discover this timewarp example sitting forlorn in a barn, following a chance introduction to a collector, was a real coup. It was purchased by its current owner in 1972, who thoroughly used and enjoyed the car for 16 years. In 1988 it was parked in a barn, where it stayed for 27 years, completely immobile. Having been recently discovered and wheeled from its tomb, the extent of the car’s beguiling patina was revealed. Each dink and dent tells a story: the sizeable indentation in the bootlid, for example – the result of a rear-end collision with a Pontiac Firebird. While some serious work would need to be undertaken to get the car roadworthy again, we like to think that its new custodian will preserve at least some of the car’s originality. 

  

Photos: Nick Zabrecky

You can find Philadelphia-based LBI Limited’s stock listed for sale in the Classic Driver Market. 

DGR 2015 – Joshua Mikhaiel Photography

An event like the 2015 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is always going to attract lenses. Whether they be of the mobile phone variety, the video sort or good old-fashioned SLRs, you can bet there’ll be a veritable avalanche of photos to capture the event for posterity. But it’s not all tea and cakes. The hard truth is that for the most part, the average Joe or Jane’s shots are anything but distinguished. But then again, Sydney’sJoshua Mikhaiel isn’t just any average lensman.

“Hello Pipeburn. My name’s Joshua. I picked up a camera for the first time 4 years ago as a young journalism student with some romantic notions of being a war correspondent / photojournalist who could change the world. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked on photography as a way of capturing the stories that matter in the world.”

“I primarily work as a wedding photographer through the week – that’s when I’m not dreaming up my next trip to the third world to use my camera to bring back stories of hope and change.”

“I’ve been addicted to motorcycles visually since I was a young kid but I’ve been riding them for a year and a half and always looking for the next project to chop up and turn into something louder, dirtier and more offensive.”

“I love the freedom and the new relationships I’ve built around bikes. I love that I’m not locked in a car when I’m out on the road and that I can interact with people and see and smell everything that’s happening in the world. I couldn’t imagine ever hanging up my jacket.”

Like what you see? Well then, you can view the full set of Josh’s DGR shots here. And you can also follow his online antics here and here. Enjoy.

via PIPEBURN

BLANCPAIN GT SERIES Misano, Course Qualif : Siedler/Seefried (Ferrari/Rinaldi) s’imposent, grosse sortie pour Vanthoor / Rinaldi Ferrari takes win in eventful Qualifying Race

by Laurent Mercier (Endurance-Info.com)

La course qualificative du meeting Blancpain Sprint Series de Misano a vu la victoire de la Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 du Rinaldi Racing partagée par Norbert Siedler et Marco Seyfried. Parti de la pole, le tandem de la #333 a su résister aux assauts de la concurrence, à commencer par la Lamborghini Huracan GT3/Grasser Racing Team de Bortolotti/Kujala qui a terminé à  1.3s. Pour ses débuts en GT3, le leader incontesté du Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo a rendu une copie parfaite.

En fin de course, Max Buck aura eu beau cravacher pour combler son handicap, mais le pilote de la Bentley Continental GT3/Bentley Team HTP, coéquipier de Vincent Abril, n’a pu combler l’écart. Une pénalité pour infraction lors du ravitaillement a fait chuter Abril/Buhk à la 7ème place. C’est finalement l’Audi R8 LMS ultra/Belgian Audi Club Team WRT de Mies/Ide qui récupère la 3ème place devant la BMW Z4 GT3/Team Brasil de Abreu/Brito. Cinq marques différentes dans le quinté de tête sous le damier. La Nissan GT-R GT3/Always Evolving Motorsport n’a pu faire mieux que 9ème avec du temps perdu dans les stands.

Cette course qualificative a été neutralisée durant le premier quart d’heure suite à un gros accrochage entre l’Audi R8 LMS ultra/Belgian Audi Club Team WRT de Laurens Vanthoor et la Bentley Continental GT3/Bentley Team HTP de Jules Szymkowiak. Le pilote de l’Audi a passé deux roues sur le bord de piste avant de partir en glisse et d’emmener avec lui la Bentley du Néerlandais.

Si le pilote Bentley a pu rejoindre son stand par ses propres moyens, Laurens Vanthoor est sorti de sa voiture en boitant. L’Audi #1 qui joue le titre était partie en fond de grille suite à un changement de moteur. L’impact de l’Audi avec le mur a été violent.

La course a été plus compliquée pour la seconde Lamborghini Huracan GT3/GRT suite à une sortie dans les graviers d’Alberto Di Folco. Les frères Fjordbach signent leur retour dans le championnat avec une victoire sur l’Audi R8 LMS ultra/I.S.R. Victoire de Karachev/Bouchut en Pro-Am sur la Mercedes SLS AMG GT3/GT Russian Team #70.

Le classement de la course est ici

Norbert Siedler and Marco Seefried took the win in the Qualifying Race for the Misano round of the 2015 Blancpain Sprint Series. The Rinaldi Racing Ferrari drivers led from start to finish, even though the #63 Grasser Lamborghini kept them under pressure until the final lap. Third went to Belgian Audi Club Team WRT duo Enzo Ide and Christopher Mies.

For series leaders Laurens Vanthoor and Robin Frijns the qualifying race turned into drama, when Vanthoor made contact with the #83 HTP Bentley of Jules Szymkowiak and crashed heavily. Their main rivals in the title fight, Maxi Buhk and Vincent Abril in the #84 HTP Bentley, did not score any points either, after receiving a drive through penalty due to a pitstop infringement.

The night race to determine the starting grid of the Misano Main Race turned out to be one of the most eventful races of the 2015 Blancpain Sprint Series. Went the lights went out polesitter Norbert Siedler held on to the lead, holding off the #173 Always Evolving Nissan of Craig Dolby. Behind them Vincent Abril in the #84 HTP Bentley and Mirko Bortolotti in the #63 Grasser Lamborghini joined the four-way fight for the lead, but in lap 8 that scrap came to an abrupt halt.

Laurens Vanthoor, who had started from pitlane due to an engine change of the #1 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, made contact with the #83 HTP Bentley of Szymkowiak, both cars spun off and made heavy contact with the barriers, causing a safety car intervention. Both drivers could get out of their cars, but Laurens Vanthoor had to be transported to the medical centre to get treatment for a sprained foot.

Right after the safety car intervention had ended, the pitstop window opened. Once all the driver changes had been completed, the #333 Ferrari of Marco Seefried was still in the lead, but now with the #63 Lamborghini of Finnish youngster Patrick Kujala hot on his heels. The #173 Nissan had lost a lot of time in the pit due to a problem with left front wheel, while the #84 Bentley incurred a drive through penalty (which was converted in a 30 second penalty after the race) due to an infringement against the pitstop rules.

That meant that Enzo Ide and Christopher Mies in the #2 Audi moved up to third, and they will share the second row of the main race with the #77 AH Competicoes Team Brazil BMW of Atila Abreu and Valdeno Brito.

In Silver Cup Jeroen Mul in the #19 Grasser Lamborghini had the best starting position, but an early spin made him drop to last. Together with team-mate Alberto Di Folco he managed to fight his way back to the lead of the Silver Cup, but when the Italian visited the gravel trap in the final quarter of the race, it was the #74 ISR Audi of the Fjordbach twins that moved into the Silver Cup lead.

The fight for Pro-Am Cup honours was decided in a similar way when Alexey Vasilyev in the #71 GT Russian Mercedes went off the road shortly before the end, handing the class win to the other GT Russian car of Alexey Karachev and Christophe Bouchut.

 

The main race for the Misano round of the Blancpain Sprint Series starts at 14.00 local time on Sunday.

Marco Seefried (#333 Rinaldi Racing Ferrari): "I know the most important race of the weekend is still to come, but the team has been working so hard for this win, all season long, that this really feels very good. And to be honest, I can't really tell the difference in intensity between a qualifying race and a main race, so it's good to have this one in the bag."

Patrick Kujala (#63 Grasser Racing Lamborghini): "When I started my stint I briefly thought I was able to have a go at the Ferrari, but then the Bentley was behind me and I had to defend a bit. When it was clear that the Bentley would get a penalty, I just completed the race."

Christopher Mies (#2 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT): "I think I was already sleeping at the start, because I lost a lot of positions. Fortunately the team did a fabulous pitstop, so we could get back to the front. Now I hope we can hang on to this position in the main race as well."

Thomas Fjordbach (#74 ISR Audi): "We were really focusing on the cars around us, and not really thinking on our position in the Silver Cup. It is a good thing to have won it of course, but tomorrow we will try to finish as high as possible overall as well."

Christophe Bouchut (#70 GT Russian Mercedes): "A night race is never easy, and I was sure there would be some incidents. Even though there was some contact at the start, we fortunately kept the car on the road and took this result."


Result list