THE LINE
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 01:08PM December 21, 2011
Editor-in-Chief's Note: We're pleased to be able to bring you the best images from the 2011 racing season as shot by our friend and maestro of Sportscarinsider.com, John Thawley. John and I go way back to a time when we were both doing completely different things, and it has not only been fun to see this chapter of John's life develop in living color (or black&white as the case may be), but it has been a thrill to be able to display the scintillating images of someone whom I consider to be one of the outstanding photographers working in the business today. Enjoy the "best of" gallery from "JT" here, and we look forward to seeing his work in the pages of AE again next year. - PMD
(Conquest Racing)
Conquest Endurance has announced today (12/19) that it will be the importer and distributor for the OAK-Pescarolo cars in the United States and will field a car in the LMP2 class for 2012. The newly formed Conquest Endurance entity is a subsidiary of the Conquest IndyCar Racing Team managed by Eric Bachelart. It will handle all U.S. sales of the 2012 OAK-Pescarolo LMP2, which has rolled off the line thanks to the extensive work undertaken by Onroak Automotive, OAK Racing’s constructor department. The 2012-spec prototype has been designed with private teams in mind and will suit both professional and gentlemen drivers, according to Conquest Endurance. The car complies with the ALMS’ cost-capped LMP2 regulations and will be available for sale at the beginning of 2012. The racing machine will be compatible with all current LMP2 engine manufacturers including Nissan, Roush Yates and Ford, HPD and others. The Oak-Pescarolo’s 2012 testing program will begin in January with a Nissan powerplant.
(Ford Racing)
Ford Racing Performance Parts has announced a naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder "Crate Engine Concept" for 2012 that should prove to be interesting. This engine is the precursor for a range of production-based 4-cylinder offerings. The "Concept" engine is a direct-injection, 2.0-liter that features independent variable valve timing and will be available in the spring of 2012. The new line of crate engines will be available as "plug and play" kits that include the necessary interface components for proper installation. The range of applications for this new line of production-based 4-cylinder crate engines goes from race cars to street rods, kit cars to off-road buggies and even marine installations. For more info visit http://www.fordracingparts.com
(BMW)
BMW Works Driver and reigning American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GT Champion Joey Hand will contest the DTM series with BMW next year. Hand, 32, has contested various North American championships with BMW race cars since 2004. In partnership with BMW Works Driver Dirk Müller Hand won the ALMS GTE class and helped BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL to the teams’ and manufacturers’ titles. During the past season he won the Daytona 24 Hours with a Riley BMW, and made his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. There, Hand rotated driving duties at the wheel of a BMW M3 GT with Müller and Priaulx, resulting in the trio scoring a podium with third in the GTE-Pro class. Hand initially tested the BMW M3 DTM at the “Circuito Monteblanco” in southern Spain from November 15th to the 18th.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD
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