DSC’s Daily Notebook (12/05/2023)

Brown & Dean to race at Spa Classic

United Autosports co-owners Zak Brown and Richard Dean will race at the Spa Classic this weekend.

They will drive two cars from Brown’s personal car collection – the 1974 Ford Cologne Capri RS3100 (above) and the 1989 Jaguar XJR10 (featured) – with the historic team at United Autosports on site to make sure all runs smoothly.

The Capri – one of only three works RS3100s built – claimed two victories out of two starts in the 1974 European Touring Car Championship, won the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft at Zandvoort and boasts past drivers including F1 champion Niki Lauda. In Spa, the Ford will contest the Heritage Touring Cup with Brown and Dean co-driving during the two 60-minute-long races.

The 1989 Jaguar XJR-10 meanwhile, will take part in two 45-minute-long Group C Races over the weekend, with Brown and Dean again sharing driver duties.

“It’s a rare weekend where Zak and I are not at previously committed to either an F1 race or sportscar race, so, of course, we go racing!” said Dean, ahead of his first race weekend with Brown since 2019

“Spa and the XJR10 should be quite a combination. We have raced the Capri at Spa before with a good deal of success, it’s such a fun car and a real crowd-pleaser.”

Multiple teams take part in pre-Le Mans test at Monza

Various FIA WEC teams were out testing at Monza ahead of Le Mans this week, including Hypercar outfits Ferrari AF Corse, Porsche Penske Motorsport and Floyd Vanwall Racing.

GTE Am customers from AF Corse’s stable were also present getting laps in ahead of the 24 hours.

Porsche’s works 963s to race for charity at Le Mans

The Porsche Penske Motorsport 963s will be racing for a good cause at Le Mans next month. Sporting the brand’s 75th-anniversary livery, the cars will be used for a fundraising drive during the race.

For each lap completed in the race, Porsche will donate 750 euros towards helping seriously ill children around the world.

The donated funds will be distributed among three organisations: Kinderherzen retten e.V., Interplast Germany e.V. and the Ferry Porsche Foundation. Porsche predicts that in ideal circumstances the 963s could complete a total of around 1,140 laps, which would amount to 855 thousand euros.

“The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and the greatest challenge in endurance racing. For Porsche, Le Mans is one of the most demanding testing grounds for new technologies that will eventually flow into series production,” says Michael Steiner, member of the executive board, research and development at Porsche AG.

“On the occasion of the 100th anniversary at Le Mans, we want to convey a message and call attention to selected organisations that are particularly committed to social issues.”

Introducing… “Legend”, the new Nürburgring mascot!

The Nürburgring has a new mascot, a fox named “Legend”, who will make his debut at the N24 next weekend.

Kind, smart, quick and the new photo model in town

Legend the Nürburgring mascot.#HeartRace pic.twitter.com/43eAtIKrAP

— Nürburgring (@nuerburgring) May 11, 2023

“Legend” will be available for souvenir photos and autographs at events going forward. He will be easy to spot, due to his size and “sleek” racing suit.

He can be found at various points at the circuit for meet and greets, though DSC understands that he loves chicken and according to the circuit PR is likely to frequently “sneak into the VIP lounges and steal something from the delicious buffet.”

He’d fit right in at DSC…

Major growth in IMSA ticket sales for Laguna

Ticket sales have been extremely encouraging for this weekend’s IMSA WeatherTech meeting at Laguna Seca.

Heading into this weekend, sales have seen “the largest year-over-year increase in history for the IMSA event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca”.

General admission ticket sales increased 35 per cent over 2022, which represents the circuit’s largest sales gain for the series. It also is likely the largest year-over-year increase in Monterey since the inaugural year of the American Le Mans Series in 1999 before its unification with GRAND-AM for the 2014 season.

Further growth indicators are pointing significantly upward. VIP hospitality packages for the Champions Club, Legends Club and Pit Row Suites are sold out for the first time. Advance campground reservations are also up 11 per cent over 2022.

“Our mission is to enhance the customer experience end to end,” said John Narigi, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “From the ticket-buying process to onsite engagement, to when guests depart, we want their experience to be memorable with a heightened anticipation for returning guests with noted improvements each year.”

Prior to this weekend, there were huge crowds at the Rolex 24 Hours (where fans turned up in record-breaking numbers) and Sebring 12 Hours. It is clear GTP era is proving to be a smash hit with fans.

ORECA celebrates 50th anniversary in Paris

ORECA celebrated its 50th anniversary as an organisation last night in Paris, with a special event attended by many significant names.

Special evening in Paris for @Oreca 50th anniversary celebration. I only drove for Hughes for a few races in ‘05, loved that his team was fuelled by pure passion. In my opinion Hughes has done more for French drivers than any other in our sport #BravoOreca #HughesdeChaunac pic.twitter.com/lckKF3ynlM

— Allan McNish (@allanmcnish) May 12, 2023

In attendance were representatives of a number of long-time ORECA customer teams and drivers. The guest list included, among others, Stephane Ortelli, Jacky Ickx, Allan McNish, Vincent Vosse, Nicolas Lapierre, Thierry Boutsen, Yannick Dalmas, Yvan Muller, Shoheil Ayari, Sam Hignett and Loic Duval.

Images courtesy of United Autosports, Fausto Mathei (Monza test pictures) & Porsche