2014 Blancpain Sprint Series

[carbon_titanium]

Originally Posted by Breitling24

Exactly. Not only because he can handle himself physically, as he has shown competing in other sports, it's a sprint race, as someone else noted, there are no driver changes, getting out during pit stops is a moot point. I would think his hand driving mechanicals he used earlier would be a hindrence to another driver.

During the 2013 24 hours of spa, there was a driver with some kind of leg handicap, his 458 in gtlm class had these kind of hand driving mechanicals. I think that a normal setup for normal people and these devices for handicap people can coexist in the same car. Difference is that in a 24 hours race you can have some slow pit stop to make a slow driver change, in a sprint race you can't.

[Breitling24]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

During the 2013 24 hours of spa, there was a driver with some kind of leg handicap, his 458 in gtlm class had these kind of hand driving mechanicals. I think that a normal setup for normal people and these devices for handicap people can coexist in the same car. Difference is that in a 24 hours race you can have some slow pit stop to make a slow driver change, in a sprint race you can't.

Ah, interesting.
Once again, driver changes do not apply to Zanardi, as stated in the article quoted in post #97, above, from the Sports Car 365 article.
He will NOT be sharing the car.

[urdragon]

On the other hand, he's changing he will be no longer dependent on a co driver, with having to be focused 1h on heavilly physically intensive racing as sprints is instead.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Breitling24

He will not share the car with a co-driver, thanks to a new regulation for 2014.

Didn´t hear about that rule before, when was this announced please (other than mentioned above)?

Zanardi being able to get out of the car quickly enough is more a safety issue than anything else obviously. With his previous WTCC experience one has to assume that that part is all covered.

Do I remember correctly that he rolled his car on top of the Raidillon at Spa in one the WTCC races early in the new millenium and escaped without harm?

[Victor_RO]

Official press release from SRO:

http://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/n...-sprint-series

Ratel says that the in-race pitstop for Alex's car is expected to be tires-only, but a minimum pitstop time will be imposed if necessary.

[Breitling24]

Originally Posted by urdragon

On the other hand, he's changing he will be no longer dependent on a co driver, with having to be focused 1h on heavilly physically intensive racing as sprints is instead.

Since he's done marathons in his chair, shouldn't be too much of an issue. He is in amazing shape.

Coach Ep, yes, I recall that shunt, also.

[carbon_titanium]

Originally Posted by Breitling24

Since he's done marathons in his chair, probably won't be too much of an issue. He is in amazing shape.

Agree, also because this kind of racing doesn't require an athletic physical condition like can be F1 or LMP1. Take a look to Enzo Ide and you'll understand what I mean.

[Coach Ep]

I would bet on Alex being more fit than at least 90% of his competitors!

[urdragon]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

Agree, also because this kind of racing doesn't require an athletic physical condition like can be F1 or LMP1. Take a look to Enzo Ide and you'll understand what I mean.

LOL.

That's Zanardi's first step into endurance, he must be looking to Le Mans sure, Since as stated before a 3h full race of the Blancpain Endurance is like a 3h stints of Le Mans or Spa.

But to do a 24h race he must have a car with special setup to be shared with mates.

[SpikerJack]

During ffsa gt tour at imola I noticed that one of the ferrari drivers (don't remember if he raced for sofrev or jmb..) was in a wheelchair.. He and his teammate practiced the driver change, it was a bit more complicated than the standard operation but they had no trouble at all so I don't think that this could be an issue in a 24 hour race..

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by FIRE

I don't understand this discussion. He has driven 4 of 5 years in ETCC/WTCC and it was no problem, why should it be a problem now?

Just for the record: I wasn't trying to poo-poo Alex. Far from it. I just thought that he probably is fit enough for doing driver changes, so the modified controls might indeed be the real issue (less for him, but for a co-driver).

[urdragon]

More info at the official BES web:

http://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/n...-sprint-series

[sukispeed]

Gilles Duqueine a few years back, who is in a wheel chair, competed in the in the FIA GT3 series in a Viper with Anthony Reid. Also he was entered in a Sport Garage Ferrari at last years Spa 24h. So I do not see what the problem is either.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

Agree, also because this kind of racing doesn't require an athletic physical condition like can be F1 or LMP1. Take a look to Enzo Ide and you'll understand what I mean.

Hahahahaha

Great to see Zanardi back in motor racing especially sportscars. Hope he does well.

[urdragon]

4 WRT Audis at the sSprint series, even one more than last year:

http://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/n...he-blancpain-g

So expect minimum two full pro efforts among this four.

[JoestForEver]

Looks like they are going to have a stable lineup as well. Vanthoor/Ortelli, Sandstrom/Stippler, Rene Rast and....(much to guess) and Oliver Jarvis as wild card probably.

[Coach Ep]

Also 3 fulltime entries in the Endurance Series plus one additional car for the Spa 24H. WRT is beginning to look like AF Corse!

[carbon_titanium]

With the departure of teams like hexis and MVDS, only HTP and kessel (is still unknown if AMR will field the work team) could stand against WRT squadron.

[FstrthnU]

http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/vi...ies-expansion/
Villorba Corse to run a Ferrari 458 GT3

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/vi...ies-expansion/
Villorba Corse to run a Ferrari 458 GT3

Given their success in GT Open, I have high expectations. But against the competition seen in the BES, it should be a stiffer challenge.

[IndyMeister]

Correct me if I'm wrong but we're looking at 13 (more or less) secure cars on the BSS entry list, right?
http://gtsprintseries.wordpress.com/...france-nogaro/

Maybe HTP can cope with the WRT-Armada...

[JoestForEver]

If the BoP goes like this year, WRT won't be a case. SLS will just squash them all.

[urdragon]

Originally Posted by IndyMeister

Correct me if I'm wrong but we're looking at 13 (more or less) secure cars on the BSS entry list, right?
http://gtsprintseries.wordpress.com/...france-nogaro/

Maybe HTP can cope with the WRT-Armada...

Thats correct, but most entries announced are for the endurance series till now, there the entry should go for their second or third tenth with maybe 10 or more tbas but....

[urdragon]

http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/be...acing-and-wrt/

[IndyMeister]

Originally Posted by urdragon

http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/be...acing-and-wrt/

After being gently nudged by urdragon, there's an updated BSS entry list for Nogaro:
http://gtsprintseries.wordpress.com/...ss-unlucky-13/

The HTP pairings are from Motorsport-Magzin.com. Link is given in the entry list.