LeMans: Ferrari out, Porsche in

According to dailysportscar.com, Icer Brakes has withdrawn its Ferrari from the 24 Hours of LeMans and Peter Seikel's Porsche will replace it.

So now the GT2 field looks like this:
9 Porsches
2 Panoz
2 Spyker
1 Ferrari

Here's how I'd like the podium to look:
1. Multimatic Motorsports Team Panoz
2. Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche
3. Team LNT Panoz

 

Update:

Icer Brakes Ferrari Replaced By Seikel Porsche
We’d got wind of something about to happen regarding the 50 cars that comprised the entry list for this weekend’s Le Mans test day (and the race) – and now it’s confirmed by the ACO: the Spanish Icer Brakes Ferrari has been withdrawn, and the F430 GTC will be replaced by Peter Seikel’s Porsche 911 GT3-RSR.

Seikel was unlucky to have missed out on an entry (among the 50) this year, but his patience has been rewarded.

The Jesus Diaz Villaroel Ferrari became a question mark after the lap 1 accident at the Spa 1000 Kms, when Peter Sundberg became involved in the multi-car accident at the top of Eau Rouge.

We believe that alternative arrangements were made, involving the use of a different Ferrari, owned by another team, but those arrangements fell through as late as this week – and the entry was “forfait”.

Peter Seikel’s Porsche was originally third among the reserves, but one of the first two reserves was withdrawn in the middle of May, and the other couldn’t be made ready at such short notice. Seikel Motorsport will be racing in its tenth Le Mans 24 Hours.

No word on Seikel drivers yet, but presumably the 'phone lines will be alive today. David Shep, Philip Collin and Horst Felbermayr Snr. were classified seventh in GT2 last year.

 

OK that's what you would like to see... Want to make a real prediction?

 

Like how long will that lone Ferrari run?

Breaks will be cooked by midnight.

 

Wouldn't bet against you.

Unfortunately pretty safe bet it'll be a Porsche 1-2-3 in class. I'll take the Flying Lizard Boys to win class...

 

The Ferrari should run a long time! it's Scuderia Ecosse from Scotland (2005 British GT Champions).

My top three in no specific order for GT2 are Scuderia Ecosse, Flying Lizards and White Lightning. I'll be there cheering for Scuderia Ecosse.

This Sunday is LeMans Test Day and wow only 15 days until the race!

Carol

 

I hope you're right, would be nice to see the lone wolf get the win.

You guys amaze me with your travel. Good for you! Pls take some pics.

 

Will do! To me the ultimate photos will be break of dawn with the 430 and Allan in the R10! This is end of events until Petit LeMans (we'll have to catch up with you at another event as the USGP looks out of the picture). Autosport International Show in Birmingham in January (you really need to go there!) and Imola on the sked for '07. Really would like to take in the America's Cup - I'm an Alinghi supporter (does that make me some sort of Alinghi Tifosi?) Aren't you headed to Hungary some time???

The Russian group that ran a Ferrari last year are running an Aston this year. It sure would be nice if Risi could get an invitation to Le Mans next year as I think it will be very special since it will be the 75th running. (oop's may have to add that back in!!)

Carol

 

I'm planning on going to the Challenge races at Road America July 7. Hungary is definitely in the calendar for next year. Gotta see that race before Bernie axes it. Alinghi, well that's kinda close to home.

 

No Maranellos ?

 

There are 2, but they're in GT1. I wouldn't expect much from them though as there are 3 Corvettes and 4 Aston Martins.

 

Panoz won Sebring, with a little luck, they could pull off the win! But if a non-Panoz is gonna win, I hope it's anything but that Ferrari.

 

Told you guys "my team" is going to be good!!! here's proof . . .

Ferrari Scuderia Ecosse dominates LMGT2 category
dimanche 04 juin 2006 - 16h49

The Ferrari Scuderia Ecosse leads the way in the LMGT2 category.

Andrew Kirkaldy, driving the Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari 430 GT n°87, set a time of 4:04.457, to go in front of the No.80 Flying Lizard Motorsport Porsche; Marc Lieb is two whole seconds behind the F430’s fastest lap.

The No.77 Multimatic Panoz, victim of an oil leak which lead to the first red flag of this morning’s practice session, has now been repaired. The Panoz is currently in third place in the LMGT2 category.


GT1 went my way too!!! Aston, Aston, Corvette, Corvette

LMP2 - I was very pleased with that too - Intersport took 3rd

In other test day happenings:
Maranello spins off:The Ferrari n°67 (Convers Menx Team), driven by Alexei Vasiliev, spun at Dunlop and failed to make it out of the gravel trap. The Russian-Czech Maranello is currently in 7th in the LM GT1 category and 29th in the general classification. The car got going again with the help of the stewards and returned to its garage to have the car cleaned up. With one hour to go until the end of the session, the Aston Martin n°007 is still leading the GT1 category. (**car is pretty cool looking - it's black**)

The other 550 spun off too: The Ferrari Maranello n°50 of the Larbre Competition Team came to halt in the gravel trap at the “Ford” corner.

Gabriel Gardel, who won the FIA GT title last year with the chassis brought to this years Le Mans event, had an off at the Ford chicane. He was trying to improve on his time, which was, at the moment of the incident, only good enough for 9th place in the LM GT1 category.

Next on the sked is 14 June - 7 pm - 9pm and 10 pm - midnight -> 1st qualifying practice sessions.

Carol