2009 Le Mans Series season

The Le Mans Series 2009 season was the sixth Endurance Championship of ACOs. She was discharged through five races in the period from 5 April 2009 to 13 September 2009.

  • 2.1 LMP1
  • 2.2 LMP2
  • 2.3 GT1
  • 2.4 GT2
  • 3.1 1000 km Catalunya
  • 3.2 1000 km of Spa-Francorchamps
  • 3.3 1000 km Algarve
  • 3.4 1000 km Nürburgring
  • 3.5 1000 km Silverstone

2009 amendments

Rules

In 2009, the ACO a series of modifications to both the technical, as well as at sporting rules. So were allowed to participate with energy recovery systems in the championship from 2009 Le Mans prototypes of the LMP1 category. Unlike in Formula 1, the acquisition and transformation of energy was exclusively electrically and served only the reduction of fuel consumption. In addition, the upper limit of the performance was set to a megajoule. In order to provide a faster and faster lap times at Le Mans and the associated risks of accidents paroli, the width of the rear wing of all Le Mans prototypes were reduced to 1.6 m in 2009. In addition, all had vehicles, other than pure gasoline LMP1 racing engines, with scaled-down cutouts on the air restrictors and - if available - reduced boost pressure of the turbocharger to make do. In addition, diesel engines in the LMP1 at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 1000 km Catalunya were under observation. After the two events all diesel vehicles had to take on board an additional weight of 30 kg. In addition to the circumcision of the performance of the prototypes were no openings now admitted to the vehicles, which represented not exhaust pipes, air intakes for engine and brake cooling or were covered by a NACA hood, air vents or mesh. In addition, the ACO expand the permissible motors in category LMP1 on homologated GT1 motors up to seven liters. LMP2 cars it was also exempted gasoline engines from a series production of 10,000 units per year to use as long as the engine, the engine capacity of 4.5 liters not exceeded. When the sporting regulations of the ACO led a clause in the use of engines. At the technical inspection before the event, the cylinder heads of the engine was sealed. This engine now had to be used in at least two consecutive championship races. If a team did not comply by defect or early replacement of the scheme, they were moved 10 places on the grid to the back and got a point deduction of two championship points. This scheme was used in accordance with the ACO cost reduction. In addition, a championship point were awarded in both the team and driver rating for the pole position of the four prescribed classes. The counter was distributed for the driver who completed the best qualifying round, as well as for its teammates.

Racetracks

Compared to the previous year, only accounted for the 1,000 km race at Monza in favor of the completed end of 2008, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. In contrast to the four remaining championship races was the start of the race late at night and did not end until after midnight. In addition to the usual pre-test on the Circuit Paul Ricard a further opportunity to test after the first race at the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit was held in late April.

Rolling stock

The first pre-test in March 2009 revealed that Prodrive joint project between Aston Martin and Lola Cars. The vehicle with the name Lola - Aston Martin LMP1 based largely on the Lola B08/60 established in 2008 by Charouz Racing. In addition, both made ​​Zytek, the racing department was gone together into the winter break with Ginetta, before the current stage of development of their Le Mans LMP1 and LMP2 prototype for the category. In the GT2 Reiter Engineering presented a version of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4, but could not complete a timed lap. ORECA however, presented only at the 1000 - km race in Spa -Francorchamps with the ORECA 01 of her car for the 2009 season.

Teams and Drivers

LMP1

Defending champion Audi Sport Team Joest retired after the victory in the previous year from the series. However, two Audi R10 TDI remained the championship. Colin Kolles, including the owner of the active in the DTM for Audi team Futurecom TME reported in a Team Kolles two further developed for the German team R10. These committed Kolles mainly young drivers from the Formula racing to qualify for other tasks. Runner-up Peugeot, however, was only represented at the 1000 kilometer race at Spa -Francorchamps, looking at the race as preparation for the later taking place in the year 24 - hour race at Le Mans. In return, the British car manufacturer was now entered the series with Aston Martin Racing. Behind the team led by David Richards stood beside Prodrive with Charouz Racing a participant in the previous year are available. First Aston Martin announced two Lola - Aston Martin LMP1, reinforced their commitment from the race at the Nürburgring for another vehicle. Since, according to the regulations but only two cars may be called per team, the team was named the Aston Martin Racing Eastern Europe. Henri Pescarolo selling in winter his company to the body parts manufacturer SORA Composites, in addition to wind tunnel tests, it also allowed two Pescarolo 01 for the season to name the team. However, the race team came after 24 - hour race at Le Mans in financial difficulties and filed for the remaining three championships runs only the vehicle by Jean -Christophe Boullion and Christophe Tinseau. A race later also reduced the number of its ORECA racing bets, as opposed to Pescarolo Sport the step was taken, however, from other points of view. Team owner Hugues de Chaunac had arranged not only the development of the ORECA 01 in winter. His company designed on the basis of the previous car, a prototype for the 2009 discharged Formula Le Mans. In order to introduce these cars in the American Le Mans Series, he reported an ORECA 01 at Petit Le Mans and waived in return for the race at the Nurburgring .. Also the last championship race at Silverstone appeared only Olivier Panis and Nicolas Lapierre. The remaining driver Bruno Senna, Stephane Ortelli and Tiago Monteiro came to no more racing.

LMP2

During the winter break, announced that neither the champion team of van Merksteijn Motorsport nor Essex team would deny another year in the Le Mans Series. Both teams gave known to have achieved in the previous year their goals. Franz Verschuur, who along with Peter van Merksteijn the Porsche RS Sypder supervised in 2008, wished meantime compete in the series under his own name. However, smashed his aspirations. Essex team remained the series received a new cast on to the disposal of the driver and team manager John Nielsen. However, the Danish team approached only as a guest at the 1000 km of Spa -Francorchamps. Also as a guest and after first set motor sports program Embassy Racing returned with new names for the end of the season in the series. The still led by Jonathan France Team WFR called at Silverstone one of the two year-old car Embassy WF01. Team WFR remained, however, in 2009, not the only team under new names. Both run by Jacques Nicolet Saulnier Racing team was awarded with Oak Racing a new name, Karim Ojjeh and Claude -Yves Gosselin changed the name of trading performance in GAC Racing Team. Gosselin sparked this team owner Luc André from, but changed neither the contract with the tire manufacturer Michelin, even with vehicle and engine supplier Zytek. In addition to the guest starter Barazi -Epsilon is now familiar and the Portuguese team Quifel ASM Zytek on, used as the bulk of the LMP2 field but Dunlop tires. In addition to established company Michelin and Dunlop appeared in the season one other producer in the series. The team Pegasus Racing that drove so far, especially in the French prototypes Endurance Championship vDEV Modern Endurance, brought with the active there tire manufacturer Avon Tyres. In addition, start with Ibanez Racing Service and Q8 Olis Hache Team two other newcomers to the championship, where the Spanish team to the Formula 3 pilot Carmen Jordá after withdrawal of Vanina Ickx, the only woman mustered in the field of riders.

GT1

The originally advertised by the FIA ​​GT1 group stayed in the Le Mans Series 2009 continues the class with the least number of participants. While the FIA GT Championship in 2009 allowed both vehicles under the old regulations, as well as cars of the applicable guidelines from 2010, drove in the Le Mans Series race cars exclusively with current homologation. Defending champion Luc Alphand Aventures concentrated its commitment to a Corvette C6.R. At times, wanted to team owner Luc Alphand exit from the series, as it was specifically the TV transmissions are not satisfied with the marketing of the series. Runner-up team Modena, however, adopted in the GT2 category and so remained only Larbre Compétition and the Russian- German team IPB Spartak Racing as firmly registered teams. However, after it withdrew the main sponsor of German Gorbuntsov led team, only two registered vehicles shall remain in the series. In addition to the individual championship races start several guest drivers, so in Spain, another Saleen S7R was reported. In the carriage of Miro Konopka, it was, however, compared to the use of vehicle Larbre to a significantly older model from the year 2001. Moreover, in Spa -Francorchamps and Silverstone Aston Martin DBR9 each one were to start. While JetAlliance already completed an application in series in the 2007 season, the race in England was new territory for Gigawave Motorsport.

GT2

Defending champion Robert Bell and Gianmaria Bruni changed his teammate during the winter break to the newly formed team JMW Motorsport. Behind the abbreviation stands for team leader Jim McWhinter that the contract took next to the drivers and the emergency vehicle as a development team of the tire manufacturer Dunlop and the former technical director of Virgo Motorsport. But Virgo Motorsport remained after the separation of a part of his team in the GT2 class faithfully. Team manager Chris Warne bought to a new Ferrari F430 and reported alongside the brothers Michael and Sean McInerey the former LMP2 champion Michael Vergers. Vice- champion Marc Lieb got a new teammate with Richard Lietz. The first also reported on the wagon team owner Horst Felbermayr, however, did not intervene to control the current Porsche 997 GT3 RSR. Also in the second mention of the German team left Felbermayr his son, Christian Ried and the Portuguese Francisco Cruz Martins. Besides Felbermayr sat Raymond Narac another new RSR in the series one. Compared to last year, however Narac reduced its exposure to the series on a cart. With Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet Narac also received a replacement for the now starting at Felbermayr - Proton Richard Lietz. In addition, the racing driver Paul Daniels and Markus Palttala were reported on an older car. Drove the car in Spa initially under the designation of Prospeed, the driver duo was reinforced by Martin Rich looked at Silverstone by James Watt. To put the German manufacturer since the beginning of the GT2 class in the series is no longer the main part of the racing cars. In addition to coming out the GT1 class team Modena, and team owner Amato Ferrari went into the series GT2 category. However, he reported to the F430 under the name of Advanced Engineering and remained with his actual team AF Corse continue in the FIA ​​GT Championship. But Farnbacher Racing sat now completely on Ferrari. The German team reported in the season to a total of three vehicles. Among other things, an F430 with tire partner Hankook, who had not yet entered into appearance in the series. In addition, with a Lamborghini Gallardo Reiter Engineering was a wide Brand been joined in the GT2 class. However, the team moved the nomination after the race at Spa back. Owner Hans Reiter, whose team also oversaw the GT1 Lamborghini, the project had to stop after the main sponsor no longer financed the GT1 cars longer.

Race Results

Overall winners are highlighted in bold.

1000 km Catalunya

At the Circuit de Catalunya, the first round of the Le Mans Series 2009 took place on April 5 and went over a distance of 209 laps. In this case, a distance of 972.895 km has been covered.

The first pole of the year drove out Danny Watts. With a lap time of 1:32,492 he qualified the car for half a second faster than Darren Turner in the Lola - Aston Martin. The best time of the LMP2 achieved Giocomo Piccini. Peter Kox drove in the GT1 initially on pole, put the vehicle in arrears out of the scoring and gave the lead to Yann Clairay from that flew around the course in Spain with a 1:45.926. In the GT2 Gianmaria Bruni ran a 1:48.606, the fastest lap of qualifying.

Stefan Mücke and Andrea Belicchi can overtake at the start of the race before the first curve Peter Hardman. By the end of the first round can also Turner go past the countryman. 30 minutes later it comes to collision between Michael Krumm and Pierre Ragues. Both can indeed continue the race, but especially Krumm loses several rounds through the following tire damage and pit stop. In addition, the Safety Car, must go to the track. A number of prototypes takes the opportunity to refuel. Thus leads Jean -Christophe Boullion after racing release. Around an hour later the safety car moves again after Karim Ajlani comes to a stop on the track. Belicchi does not start off the box and is therefore in the lead, but you have a few laps later to refuel and return the item first to Jan Charouz, later to Christophe Tinseau from. Until the fourth hour of the race can now Boullion and Tinseau a lead of 30 seconds over the chasing Tomáš Enge, Mücke and Charouz go out. However, it must in the last hour after the safety car on the track, after the previously third-placed Miguel Ramos turns and can not continue. Before re- release, 30 minutes before the race, mosquito and Tinseau separates only four seconds. Later, Stefan Mücke can walk past the French and keep the lead until the end of the race.

At the start of the race Olivier Pla itself at the top of the LMP2 field and leads the class after the two safety car deployments continues to grow. With the pit stop and driver change to Miguel Amaral, is only Matteo Bobbi, later Thomas Erdos lead. After its transfer in after two hours of racing Mike Newton, however, the Lola remains lie with engine trouble and Bobbi again takes the lead in the LMP2. Thomas Biagi, Bobbi Piccini and hold until the end of the race their position and the checkered flag as the winner of LMP2.

In the GT2 Patrice Goueslard can convert pole position into a guide and first expand the distance to the two Saleens. Launched from the rear driver duo Peter Kox and Roman Russinow however, can close the gap to the two remaining GT1 and overtake later and are thus in the third hour of the race only 15 seconds behind the leading vehicle of Luc Alphand Aventures. After a mistake by team owner Luc Alphand this initially stranded in the gravel trap, can indeed continue later but loses you guide on Kox and Russinow. These increase the distance to the end of the race by two laps and drive to the first GT1 win a Lamborghini in the Le Mans Series.

Antonio García leads after the start of the race in the GT2, followed closely by Patrick Pilet and Gianmaria Bruni. After the driver change at the beginning of the second hour of the race by García now change the driver duo Bruni- Bell and Lieb - Lietz from on top. Two hours later, Marc Lieb can finally pass to Robert Bell, expand along with Richard Lietz the lead and win in the end with a lap ahead.

1000 km of Spa-Francorchamps

The 1000 km of Spa -Francorchamps was held on May 10 and went over a distance of 143 laps á 7.004 kilometers, so a total of 1001.572 km.

In qualifying, the guest driver of Peugeot secured the front row. Where Simon Pagenaud and Alexander Wurz only 27 /1000 seconds separating them. Paugenaud lapped the course in a time of 2:01,056. The pole in the LMP2 and GT1 went with Casper Elgaard and Alexander Müller to a guest driver. The best times in both classes were after the meeting at 2:07,918 and 2:17,344. In the GT2 Marc Lieb drove to the top of its category and completed his best lap with 2:21,870.

At the start of the race several Le Mans prototypes clash. Darren Truner and Jean -Christophe Boullion fall far behind. How to perform the two vehicles from Peugeot ahead of Bruno Senna. 10 minutes later Senna must consult with a puncture the box. As rubber parts are on the track, the safety car has to move out. With the renewed release of the race Boullion is only Turner, later in third place. After the first hour, the runner-up David Brabham collided with the LMP2 Ibanez Racing. In order for the ORECA - Courage is out of the race, Brabham has to pit for repairs and also later given a stop-and -go penalty won for forcing the opponent. A few minutes later Bruce Jouanny strikes again turn out in the Raidillon into the barriers and the safety car needs. For racing half now leads Simon Pagenaud before Nicolas Lapierre and Christophe Tinseau. An accident of the GT2 Ferrari Easy Race brings the safety car on track again. The field is merged Tinseau and Lapierre are now driving close together and Tinseau can advance to second place at the next pit stop. Bruno Senna's departure in the final phase makes a renewed use of the Safety Car necessary and as a result can Tomáš Enge also go past Lapierre. The race win in the end with a start - to-finish victory, Simon Pagenaud, Nicolas Minassian and Christian Klien.

In the LMP2 initially leads Xavier Pompidou in front of Olivier Pla and Emmanuel Collard. After the safety car phase, triggered by Bruno Senna's tire damage, Collard can take the lead. Through its refueling stop Philipp Peter takes the first place in the LMP2. Until then third-placed Zytek of Olivier Pla and Miguel Amaral has to go with a technical defect the box and loses 11 laps on the top. After the conclusion of the second pit stop of the LMP2 field of the Porsche RS Sypder of Essex team is back on top. Collard, Kristian Poulsen and Casper Elgaard keep the lead until the end, even if the yellow flags during the race, the LMP2 field brings together over and over again, Poulsen crosses the finish line with 7/ 100 seconds ahead of the persecutor Xavier Pompidou.

In the GT1 Peter Kox takes the lead after the Aston Martin DBR9 was delayed starts Jetalliance with technical defect out of the box. After the lead changed during the race again and again between the Corvette team of Luc Alphand and the Lamborghini of IPB Spartak Racing. In the end, the defending champion Alphand has the upper hand and drives out a class victory.

In the initial phase Marc Lieb takes the lead. At the halfway point of the race leading love collides with the GT1 Jetalliance. Lieb loses parts of the wheel pant and must be connected to the box. Gianmaria Bruni takes the GT2 lead and holds it until the last driver change of the team. Robert Bell now piloted the Ferrari, but must after a round of revisiting the box, because his rear wheel was not mounted properly. First, Antonio García takes the lead, but Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz has to admit defeat, to win the race. After the race Lieb / Lietz is disqualified because of the damage to the vehicle, only an appeal later in the year, the team Felbermayr - Proton appoints back to a winner.

1000 km Algarve

On the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, the third round of the Le Mans Series 2009 was held on August 2 and went over a distance of 215 laps. In this case, a distance of 1000.395 km has been covered.

On the finished In late 2008 Course Nicolas Lapierre took pole position with a lap time of 1:31.020. In addition, qualified Stefan Mücke, the Lola - Aston Martin factory team. In the LMP2 Olivier Pla circled the course with 1:34.296 and started the race as the fastest LMP2 pilot from the tenth position. The best times of 1:42.052 and 1:44.804 went to Yann Clairay in the GT1 and Richard Lietz in the GT2.

At the start, Nicolas Lapierre can easily settle by Stefan Mücke. Mosquito overhauled Lapierre but after 30 minutes, shortly afterwards to repair the car to the pits must. Mosquito now leads up to the completed pit stop, then goes Jean -Christophe Boullion after a mistake by Stefan Mücke ahead. Boullion and Tinseau to expand their position in the sequence time to give the lead to the end of the race several times in the short term because of different pit stop strategy from. After completed 215 laps of the car Pescarolo Sport is the checkered flag as the winner, followed by Aston Martin factory team and both vehicles ORECA.

At the start of the race in the LMP2, Oliver Pla can convert his pole position into a classroom management, first close pursued by Philipp Peter in Zytek of GAC Racing Team. In the following race course of planning and later can set themselves apart from the rest of Miguel Amaral LMP2 field, while the runner-up to the GAC Racing team lose their second class rank in the last hour of the race at the Racing Box team of Andrea Ceccato, Filippo Francioni and Giocomo Piccini.

In occupied with only two vehicles GT1 field Patrice Goueslard can put in leadership. Stéphane Lemeret can not follow the defending Goueslard, after the driver change must Roland Berville unplanned visit the box around 150 minutes after the start of the race. In the following repairs the chasing team loses several rounds. The team of Luc Alphand, however, can pass through without any major problems and finished with a start-to- class win the race in 14th place overall.

In the GT2 runs on the first corner Francisco Cruz Martins to teammate Richard Lietz. As for Martins, the race is stopped after a few meters, Lietz can approach the Porsche to repair the box. The guide in the meantime to fellow Patrick Pilet, who hands over the car after two hours of team owner Raymond Narac. In the driver's change the damaged splitter is repaired, thereby Narac falls to the exit from the pits in third place, behind the two Ferraris of Team JMW Motorsport and Modena back. These result in the aftermath of the GT2 field. Ultimately, however, Robert Bell and Gianmaria Bruni can enforce against the driver trio of Team Modena, in turn losing the second position to Narac and Pilet.

1000 km Nürburgring

The 1000 km Nürburgring found 23 August 2009 on the Grand Prix circuit in the Eifel place and went over a distance of 1001.715 km, while the course was 195 times orbits.

In the qualification secured the works team of Aston Martin on the front row, with Stefan Mücke led the field into the race with a lap time of 1:41.944. In the LMP2 pole position went to Olivier Pla, he lapped the course in 1:45.578 and start experiencing at the 9th place overall. In the GT1 Frenchman Laurent Groppi took the top spot, while Pierre Kaffer in the GT2 his Hankook Tire earned the first pole position in the series.

At the start of the race lead before Stefan Mücke and Darren Turner Andrea Belicchi. Mosquito can settle, especially after the first pit stop of Turner. After the later following driver changes the Lola - Aston Martin continues to lead with the number 007, now piloted by Jan Charouz. Behind driving team-mate Harold Primat and up to 15 minutes before completing the race half Nicolas Prost. Prost has with his vehicle but unexpectedly the pits and falls due to repair work back in time. The court accepts the third Lola - Aston Martin of Stuart Hall. Overtaken Two hours before the race Darren Turner until then leading sister car. After the last change of driver Harold Primat must again go to the box 30 minutes before the end of the race, teammate Stefan Mücke takes the lead again, thus winning the race ahead of the other two held in Gulf Oil colors Lola - Aston Martin.

In the LMP2 Olivier Pla can settle at the start of Philipp Peter, later, Thomas Erdos and after the first pit stops Jonny Kane pursuers position. For racing half Jonny Kane falls through technical defects back, Erdos with engine damage completely out. The second place takes over Andrea Ceccato for the Racing Box team. By the end of the race planning and Amaral able to expand the lead in the LMP2 two rounds and win before Ceccato, Filippo Francioni and Giacomo Piccini their class.

In the only comprehensive two vehicles GT1 category Laurent Groppi leads before Yann Clairay. The team of Labre Compétition can keep the lead up to the race halftime, Roland Berville must then, however, his compatriot Patrice Gouslard beaten. An hour later Berville must with brake problems on the box. But Luc Alphand Aventures has to change in subsequent period, a valve on the engine of the Corvette. Labre can complete their repair work faster and wins in the GT1 category. Luc Alphand Aventures, however, can send out on the track to be classified and thus second in the GT1 their car in time.

At the start of the race Pierre Kaffer goes in the GT2 in the lead, followed by team mate Antonio García and Gianmaria Bruni. Up to the first pit stop Kaffer drops back to fourth place, the lead is now Gianmaria Bruni. After two hours, the Ferrari of Bruni and Robert Bell is pushed with problems with the power transmission to the box. The tip accepts Toni Vilander, followed by Richard Lietz. After another pit stops with driver changes now leads García, who can claim the lead up to the next driver change. After delivery to Leo Mansell overtaken Marc Lieb, Mansell will also gedränkt of the line from the Courage - ORECA - pilot Franck Mailleux before the beginning of the last hour of the race and loses several rounds in the gravel. At the same time it comes to a duel between Anthony Beltoise and Tom Coronel at the other podium finishes. The two Kontrahente and Beltoise must collide due to the collision to stop-and -go penalty in the box. The resulting residue can Beltoise in a row not completely catch up and finished the race behind Lieb and Coronel in third place.

1000 km Silverstone

The 1000 - km race at Silverstone was held on 13 September 2009 and received over a distance of 195 laps of 5.140 kilometers for a total of 1002.43 km.

The fastest lap in qualifying the LMP1 turned Nicolas Lapierre with 1:32,798, so he remained the only driver in 2009 at the 1:33 mark. The best time of the LMP2 secured Olivier Pla, of the course in 1:36,092. In the GT1 Laurent Groppi kept 1:45,714 with the upper hand. The last GT2 Pole in 2009 went with a lap time of 1:48,638 to Richard Lietz.

Stefan Mücke set by the start of the race against Nicolas Lapierre and takes the lead. Jean -Christophe Boullion, who was transferred to an illegal tire change before the race starts on the last starting position, fights in 45 minutes by the entire field and now leads ahead of Stefan Mücke. Up to the second pit stop, also the ORECA by Olivier Panis to now in the car seated January Charouz pass. 40 minutes after the regular pit stops Boullions teammate Christophe Tinseau must unplanned visit the box to make major repairs to make to the car. Panis takes the lead, followed by Jan Charouz. During the second half of the race Marcel Fässeler sets to the second position and builds the distance to the trio mosquito, Charouz and Tomáš Enge further. As the leader Lapierre at the last stop back to Panis passes is changed the hood unexpectedly. Fässler briefly goes in, but it must exchange the ventilation grille even with his pit stop, so that Panis is 15 minutes before the race ended back at the first position and win the race.

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