Alpine and Nelson Panciatici on a forward momentum

The competitors of the European Le Mans Series will race in the second challenge of the season in Italy, on the Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari in Imola, where the Alpine A450 is among the favourites. With a best time in the official ELMS tests on the Castellet circuit, the Alpine A450 finished just short of a podium in the first race at Silverstone because dramatic weather forced the stewards to stop the race before the end for safety reasons. Nelson Panciatici and the entire Signatech-Alpine team, managed by Philippe Sinault, want to continue this forward momentum and, this weekend in Imola, create the performance to match their potential.

Enzo Guibbert wants substantiation!

For his debut in the French GT FFSA Championship on the Bugatti circuit, Enzo Guibbert, the “Volant Euroformula” 2012, was in second place on the podium for Race 2. Enzo wants to substantiate this result in Imola where he will continue to strengthen his skills behind the wheel of his Porsche 997 GT3-R managed by Philippe Almeras’ Pro GT team.

One-two for Peugeot at Imola

- Peugeot 908s take a superb win in 6 hour endurance race
- This win places Peugeot 43 points ahead in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup
- Next ILMC race is at Silverstone (9th-11th September)

Audi UK – Allan McNish motorsport brief

Britain’s Allan McNish recorded fourth place today (SUN) in his first race since his spectacular Le Mans 24 Hour race accident.

McNish, who stepped uninjured from his written-off Audi R18 TDI at Le Mans three weeks ago, and co-driver Tom Kristensen (Denmark) almost snatched a top-three podium finish in the closing moments of the six hour sportscar endurance race at the Imola track near Bologna in Italy.

The McNish/Kristensen Audi started the race from fourth place on the 48-car grid and remained fourth before he handed the turbo diesel R18 TDI to co-driver Kristensen after 90mins. McNish took over again just after mid-distance before the “Great Dane” jumped in again with just over one hour to run.

Rows one and two for Audi at Imola

- Audi R18 TDI on grid positions two and four
- Le Mans winner Marcel Fässler sets fastest time for Audi
- LMP1 sports car has been aerodynamically updated

Audi UK / Allan McNish motorsport brief

Allan McNish starts his diesel-engined Audi R18 TDI from fourth place on the near 50-car grid in tomorrow’s (SUN) six-hour endurance sportscar race at Imola.

The Scotsman, in competition for the first time since stepping uninjured from his spectacular Le Mans 24 Hours accident three weeks ago, posted a personal quickest lap of 1min 32.974secs, an average speed of 118.13mph, around the 3.05-mile Italian track.

Having posted fourth (Sebring, USA) and third places (Spa, Belgium) in the opening two rounds of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, McNish is determined to bounce back from his Le Mans disappointment in the fourth round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup but does not underestimate the task ahead.

Two new Audi R18 TDi cars for Imola

- Fourth round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in Italy
- Audi Sport Team Joest with two new race cars
- New aerodynamics package for more downforce

McNish raring to go racing again as ILMC championship continues in Italy

Allan McNish races his diesel-engined Audi R18 TDI on Sunday (3 July) for the first time since the Scotsman stepped uninjured from his spectacular Le Mans 24 Hours accident.

The tremendous strength of the Audi Coupé undoubtedly saved the Dumfries-born ace and German team-mate Mike Rockenfeller –  in a separate accident – from major injury in the annual race which Audi ultimately won.

No show for Rea in Italy

Jonathan Rea was unable to contest the two 12th round 2010 World Superbike championship races at Imola in Italy today after fracturing his collarbone and wrist in a qualifying crash yesterday.

It was left to Rea’s team-mate, Max Neukirchner to fly the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda flag at the historic 4.936km Imola circuit, the German rider scoring points in both races.

Advantage Sofuoglu, as Pirro wins Imola thriller

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s Michele Pirro took his debut World Supersport championship race victory in today’s 12th round at Imola in Italy. His team-mate and series leader, Kenan Sofuoglu, was second, but the story might have been very different.