Sunday
Jun302019
JULY 3, 2019
Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 06:38PM 
(Photo by special AE contributor Whit Bazemore)
Maverick Viñales (No. 12 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) delivered his and Yamaha's first win of the season after a tremendous ride on Sunday afternoon at the Motul TT Assen in the Netherlands. The Spaniard beat Marc Marquez (No. 93 Repsol Honda Team), who finished second, and polesitter Fabio Quartararo (No. 20 Petronas Yamaha SRT) after the trio engaged in a ferocious battle. The Viñales win means that four manufacturers have now won in the first eight races this season. Marquez now leads the MotoGP Championship by 44 points heading to the Sachsenring.
Editor-In-Chief's Note: We hope our readers are enjoying the superb photography and insider's perspective of MotoGP racing by special AE contributor Whit Bazemore. MotoGP has become my personal favorite form of motorsport, and to have someone with Whit's talent share his visual art and deep knowledge of MotoGP is truly special for us and we really appreciate it. -PMD
(Photo by Special AE contributor Whit Bazemore)
While Maverick Vinales won the Assen TT, one of the most popular and demanding races on the MotoGP calendar, if not the outright fastest, the real winners of the weekend were the other podium finishers, Marc Marquez (2nd) and the rookie sensation, Fabio Quartararo (3rd). Marquez (above) has reached a new maturity as a five time MotoGP Champion - racing now in the style of great motorsport Champions such as Alain Prost or Niki Lauda, and past MotoGP greats like Wayne Rainey and Freddie Spencer. This is to say, he no longer races to win every race at “all costs” but rather races to the limit of the day - meaning, he is constantly analyzing his Championship lead relative to his closest competitors throughout the race and his own risks vs. reward in relation to the said championship situation. And while this might make him slightly less exciting to watch (there is still no one today, in any form of global motorsport, more exciting to watch than Marc Marquez), it does now make him perhaps the fastest AND the most intelligent MotoGP racer on the grid. -WB
(Photo by Special AE contributor Whit Bazemore)
(Photo by Special AE contributor Whit Bazemore)While Maverick Vinales won the Assen TT, one of the most popular and demanding races on the MotoGP calendar, if not the outright fastest, the real winners of the weekend were the other podium finishers, Marc Marquez (2nd) and the rookie sensation, Fabio Quartararo (3rd). Marquez (above) has reached a new maturity as a five time MotoGP Champion - racing now in the style of great motorsport Champions such as Alain Prost or Niki Lauda, and past MotoGP greats like Wayne Rainey and Freddie Spencer. This is to say, he no longer races to win every race at “all costs” but rather races to the limit of the day - meaning, he is constantly analyzing his Championship lead relative to his closest competitors throughout the race and his own risks vs. reward in relation to the said championship situation. And while this might make him slightly less exciting to watch (there is still no one today, in any form of global motorsport, more exciting to watch than Marc Marquez), it does now make him perhaps the fastest AND the most intelligent MotoGP racer on the grid. -WB
(Photo by Special AE contributor Whit Bazemore)But that label, at least the fastest part, as hard as it is to believe, might soon change. Enter Fabio Quartarao (above), the French rookie who has excelled far beyond anyone’s expectations. In Assen, Fabio had his third pole position of the year (in only his eighth MotoGP start) and led the early laps (his first time leading a MotoGP race), but was slowed only by his arm surgery from two weeks ago. Assen is wicked fast, and the physical effort to turn the bike quickly through the high speed sweeps caused pain and fatigue to Quartararo’s recovering right forearm. He still managed third. Fabio thus far is the leading Yamaha rider this season, and one can not help but realize that it is now Fabio who is the future for Yamaha, and not the moody and inconsistent Vinales. As for Vinales, it is widely accepted that he is an amazingly fast rider, but also that he might lack the mental strength to fight for a Championship against the likes of Marquez, and now obviously, Quartararo. At 20, Quartararo already seems to have the necessary mental strength and a championship-contending demeanor, not to mention a silky smooth and ultra, ultra quick style. Andrea Dovizioso, whose 2019 championship challenge is all but over, is also a fast and consistent racer. Vinales, however, is more known for struggling mightily in the opening laps of races. Assen was no different, but here the fall down the order was not as great - only 2nd to 5th by the second lap - and his usual mid- and late-race speed allowed him to recover for the victory in front of a massive 100,000-plus race day crowd. -WB
(Michelin)
Harry Tincknell, Jonathan Bomarito and Olivier Pla's (No. 55 Mazda Team Joest RT-24P/Michelin) win in the Sahlen's Six-Hours of The Glen IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race was the first for Mazda's factory Prototype program in more than 50 IMSA races dating back to 2014. And Mazda's win was made all that much sweeter as teammates Oliver Jarvis, Tristan Nunez and Timo Bernhard (No. 77 Mazda Team Joest RT-24P/Michelin) finished second for a momentous 1-2 for the Mazda program. “It’s a long time coming. We wanted to put Mazda on the top step of the podium and it’s been a long journey to get here,” said John Doonan, director of Mazda Motorsports. “The people in the blue, white and yellow make an amazing tire. We’re family and are partnered with them. It’s absolutely fantastic. Michelin has played such a key role in this happening. Multimatic has transformed the race car; we knew we’d be quicker and a lot of it is down to these tires.” Mazda Team Joest had to battle a determined Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 6 Team Penske Acura ARX-05, started by Dane Cameron), who finished third after pressuring the Mazda prototypes to the end. “It was a huge team effort from everyone at Mazda Team Joest,” said Tincknell, who co-drove with Jonathan Bomarito and Olivier Pla. “It was incredible. I’m lost for words. Taking it home was a big responsibility, but we worked as a team all day and both cars were fantastic. Both cars led the race, and it was immaculately executed. It’s a dream come true. I’m so happy to win this one. Now that we’ve got the first one, I’m sure numbers two and three will come soon.”
(Michelin)
Nick Tandy and Patrick Pilet (No. 911 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR/Michelin) made it four consecutive wins in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Le Mans (GTLM) class with their win at Watkins Glen. But it wasn't easy by any stretch, as Tandy had to hold off a hard-charging Antonio Garcia (No. 3 Corvette Racing Corvette C7.R/Michelin) to secure the win, crossing the finish line just 0.452 seconds ahead of the two-time defending series champion and his longtime co-driver Jan Magnussen. Tandy inherited the lead when teammate Earl Bamber had to pit for fuel from the lead with thirteen minutes remaining in the No. 912 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR/Michelin. That set up a duel to the finish between Tandy and Garcia. At one point, Garcia was more than six seconds behind Tandy and over the course of his final stint managed to close the gap to just one car length, but was unable to make the pass on the final lap. With the win, the No. 911 team moved into the GTLM class points lead. “We wanted to build a lead and when the team told me the Corvette was catching us and the lap times he was running, I got a bit scared,” said Tandy. “But in the end, our car held up really well. The Michelin tires got better and better and the car balance got really good as the fuel came out of the car.” “It was difficult to be honest, especially because we really wanted to win this race,” added Pilet. “We were so close so many times. And we are now back in the championship, so it’s really a good win.” With six races remaining on the 2019 WeatherTech Championship schedule, Garcia and Magnussen are now one point behind the No. 911 team in the class standings in search of a third straight GTLM title. Three different manufacturers finished on the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen podium, with the No. 67 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT/Michelin of Richard Westbrook and Ryan Briscoe finishing third.
(Meyer Shank Racing)
Harry Tincknell, Jonathan Bomarito and Olivier Pla's (No. 55 Mazda Team Joest RT-24P/Michelin) win in the Sahlen's Six-Hours of The Glen IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race was the first for Mazda's factory Prototype program in more than 50 IMSA races dating back to 2014. And Mazda's win was made all that much sweeter as teammates Oliver Jarvis, Tristan Nunez and Timo Bernhard (No. 77 Mazda Team Joest RT-24P/Michelin) finished second for a momentous 1-2 for the Mazda program. “It’s a long time coming. We wanted to put Mazda on the top step of the podium and it’s been a long journey to get here,” said John Doonan, director of Mazda Motorsports. “The people in the blue, white and yellow make an amazing tire. We’re family and are partnered with them. It’s absolutely fantastic. Michelin has played such a key role in this happening. Multimatic has transformed the race car; we knew we’d be quicker and a lot of it is down to these tires.” Mazda Team Joest had to battle a determined Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 6 Team Penske Acura ARX-05, started by Dane Cameron), who finished third after pressuring the Mazda prototypes to the end. “It was a huge team effort from everyone at Mazda Team Joest,” said Tincknell, who co-drove with Jonathan Bomarito and Olivier Pla. “It was incredible. I’m lost for words. Taking it home was a big responsibility, but we worked as a team all day and both cars were fantastic. Both cars led the race, and it was immaculately executed. It’s a dream come true. I’m so happy to win this one. Now that we’ve got the first one, I’m sure numbers two and three will come soon.”
(Michelin)Nick Tandy and Patrick Pilet (No. 911 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR/Michelin) made it four consecutive wins in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Le Mans (GTLM) class with their win at Watkins Glen. But it wasn't easy by any stretch, as Tandy had to hold off a hard-charging Antonio Garcia (No. 3 Corvette Racing Corvette C7.R/Michelin) to secure the win, crossing the finish line just 0.452 seconds ahead of the two-time defending series champion and his longtime co-driver Jan Magnussen. Tandy inherited the lead when teammate Earl Bamber had to pit for fuel from the lead with thirteen minutes remaining in the No. 912 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR/Michelin. That set up a duel to the finish between Tandy and Garcia. At one point, Garcia was more than six seconds behind Tandy and over the course of his final stint managed to close the gap to just one car length, but was unable to make the pass on the final lap. With the win, the No. 911 team moved into the GTLM class points lead. “We wanted to build a lead and when the team told me the Corvette was catching us and the lap times he was running, I got a bit scared,” said Tandy. “But in the end, our car held up really well. The Michelin tires got better and better and the car balance got really good as the fuel came out of the car.” “It was difficult to be honest, especially because we really wanted to win this race,” added Pilet. “We were so close so many times. And we are now back in the championship, so it’s really a good win.” With six races remaining on the 2019 WeatherTech Championship schedule, Garcia and Magnussen are now one point behind the No. 911 team in the class standings in search of a third straight GTLM title. Three different manufacturers finished on the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen podium, with the No. 67 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT/Michelin of Richard Westbrook and Ryan Briscoe finishing third.
(Meyer Shank Racing)Trent Hindman and Mario Farnbacher (No. 86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3/Michelin) won the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class at Watkins Glen on Sunday from the Pole Position. It was a dominant performance with Hindman, Farnbacher and endurance teammate Justin Marks leading the GTD field for a race-high 83 laps to claim the team's first checkered flag of the season. The win is a first for both Hindman and Marks in the WeatherTech Championship, but the sixth for Farnbacher, who closed out the race. Though the car topped the class for the majority of the race, Bill Auberlen – seeking his 59th IMSA win to come within one of all-time win leader Scott Pruett – was hunting down Farnbacher in his No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3/Michelin. Auberlen was able to close to less than half a second to Farnbacher in the closing minutes but would settle for second by 0.676 seconds. “It was for sure not easy,” said Farnbacher. “I tried to push for no mistakes and Auberlen was pushing like crazy. He closed the gap really easily and was always pushing. I tried to save it with no mistakes. I’m really happy for the team. Finally, we have the win. I’m so happy for the guys.” Auberlen co-drove with Robby Foley and Dillon Machavern, the latter of whom was part of the Turner Motorsport lineup that won at Watkins Glen in 2018. Scoring their second podium of the season was the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa WeatherTech Racing Ferrari 488 GT3/Michelin of Cooper MacNeil, Toni Vilander and Jeff Westphal. Next up for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix presented by Acura at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park next Sunday. It will be the first IMSA race to be televised live on the NBC network, beginning at 1 p.m. ET. IMSA Radio also will have live coverage throughout the weekend on IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com, with race coverage airing on SiriusXM Radio.
(Getty Images BBC Sport)
Max Verstappen (No. 33 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing) passed Charles Leclerc (No. 16 Scuderia Ferrari) with two laps remaining to win a riveting Austrian Grand Prix. The win was only confirmed three hours after the race finished, following an investigation into whether Verstappen unfairly ran Leclerc off the track. It was a sensational drive from Verstappen, who made excellent use of fresher tires than the cars in front of him, but the move with which he took the lead was controversial. Leclerc had already fought off one pass by Verstappen on the previous lap, when the Red Bull star got inside the Ferrari at Turn Three but Leclerc held on around the outside and out-accelerated him up to Turn Four. But on the next lap, with two to go, Verstappen again dived up the inside, and this time he ran Leclerc off the road on the exit. (It was just one of them racin' deals as far as we're concerned, and Verstappen deserved the win. -PMD) Valterri Bottas (No. 77 Mercedes-AMG Petronas) finished third. Editor-In-Chief's Note: It was also a terrific win for Honda, which has suffered for years without a win in F1; and there's no question the company's image has taken a huge hit because of it. Honda needed this win. And the fact that Aston Martin has its name plastered all over the Red Bull F1 cars in a unique sponsor arrangement is just plain weird when the cars have Honda power. But then again, that's the rampant commercialism - and flat-out greed - that defines today's F1. -PMD
(Getty Images BBC Sport)Max Verstappen (No. 33 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing) passed Charles Leclerc (No. 16 Scuderia Ferrari) with two laps remaining to win a riveting Austrian Grand Prix. The win was only confirmed three hours after the race finished, following an investigation into whether Verstappen unfairly ran Leclerc off the track. It was a sensational drive from Verstappen, who made excellent use of fresher tires than the cars in front of him, but the move with which he took the lead was controversial. Leclerc had already fought off one pass by Verstappen on the previous lap, when the Red Bull star got inside the Ferrari at Turn Three but Leclerc held on around the outside and out-accelerated him up to Turn Four. But on the next lap, with two to go, Verstappen again dived up the inside, and this time he ran Leclerc off the road on the exit. (It was just one of them racin' deals as far as we're concerned, and Verstappen deserved the win. -PMD) Valterri Bottas (No. 77 Mercedes-AMG Petronas) finished third. Editor-In-Chief's Note: It was also a terrific win for Honda, which has suffered for years without a win in F1; and there's no question the company's image has taken a huge hit because of it. Honda needed this win. And the fact that Aston Martin has its name plastered all over the Red Bull F1 cars in a unique sponsor arrangement is just plain weird when the cars have Honda power. But then again, that's the rampant commercialism - and flat-out greed - that defines today's F1. -PMD
(Bentley)
Rhys Millen flogged a Bentley Continental GT to a new outright record for a production car at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday. Millen completed the run up the 12.42-mile course in 10:18.488, taking 8.4 seconds off the previous record while averaging 70 mph.
Rhys Millen flogged a Bentley Continental GT to a new outright record for a production car at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday. Millen completed the run up the 12.42-mile course in 10:18.488, taking 8.4 seconds off the previous record while averaging 70 mph.
(Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Twenty-six-year-old Alex Bowman (No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro) scored his first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup victory at Chicagoland Speedway Sunday night in the Camping World 400. Bowman held off a hard-charging Kyle Larson (No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Camaro) for the win by .546-seconds with the two young drivers going door-to-door and exchanging the lead twice in the final eight laps of the race. Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang) finished third.
Twenty-six-year-old Alex Bowman (No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro) scored his first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup victory at Chicagoland Speedway Sunday night in the Camping World 400. Bowman held off a hard-charging Kyle Larson (No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Camaro) for the win by .546-seconds with the two young drivers going door-to-door and exchanging the lead twice in the final eight laps of the race. Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang) finished third.
(Michelin Motorsport)
All three of Michelin's series in IMSA are in action north of the border at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this weekend. Canadian fans will see nearly eight hours of racing among three series:
All three of Michelin's series in IMSA are in action north of the border at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this weekend. Canadian fans will see nearly eight hours of racing among three series: