The latest Transformers movie is here in time for the summer blockbuster season. Titled “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” it is in theaters now to take audiences on an adventure set in the 1990s. It also introduces a new faction of Transformers called the Maximals and features the Autobots, with a Porsche 911 Carrera named Mirage taking a central role.
More specifically, Mirage is a 964 series Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 when in car form, a particularly rare model that is an unusual choice to base a hero on. However, according to Oliver Hoffmann, Head of Marketing Communications at Porsche AG, the Carrera RS 3.8 is perfect because of Mirage’s character traits, describing him as “A tough character with a good heart and a bit of a rebellious streak now and again.”
Porsche only built 55 units of the Carrera RS 3.8, which are highly valuable today. Five picture cars were built to look like the original car to avoid the risk of damage and fulfill specific functions. One car was modified to go backward at high speed, while another was prepared for stunt sequences. Additional cars were built for close-ups or scenes involving the actors interacting with the car.
The only area where a real Carrera RS 3.8 was used is sound design. “It was important to us to represent the sound of the 911 model depicted in the film,” said Ayesha Coker, Vice President of Marketing of Porsche Cars North America. “It was extremely ambitious due to the number of cars needed from a limited production 911, but we are thrilled with the result and hope audiences are too.”
What makes “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” unique is the level of involvement the production team had with Porsche, which was very hands-on with the development of Mirage. According to Irene Trachtenberg, SVP of Worldwide Marketing Partnerships at Paramount, that partnership “brought our Autobot Mirage to life in a most unique, iconic, and unforgettable way.”
As for Porsche, it has been actively promoting the movie on its YouTube site and through social media. The automaker is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and has been very active in sponsoring exhibits and releasing videos to commemorate the milestone.
Zach Osborne, a well-known motocross and supercross rider, recently made the decision to try his hand at off-road racing. Unfortunately, he was sidelined with an elbow injury shortly after joining the Am-Pro Yamaha team for the GNCC XC1 Pro class. In a recent interview with Dirt Bike’s Travis Fant, Osborne gave an update on his recovery and discussed his experiences in off-road racing.
In his early days racing for Geico Honda, Osborne had already dabbled in off-road racing. He competed in a few GNCCs and the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in 2013 and 2014. When asked about his experience at the ISDE, Osborne mentioned that he raced alongside notable riders like Mike Brown, Kailub Russell, Thad Duvall, Kurt Caselli, and Charlie Mullins.
Osborne revealed that off-road racing was always part of his long-term plan, even during his successful motocross career. He seized the opportunity to switch to off-road racing when it came along, despite facing challenges and setbacks. He acknowledged that the level of competition and the sport itself had evolved significantly in the past decade, but he was determined to succeed.
In terms of training, Osborne made adjustments to focus on zone training and working in mid-heart-rate zones. He mentioned that his training intensity is now consistent across all aspects, including riding and supplemental training. Although he has reduced the number of riding days per week, the hours spent on the road bike and dirt bike have increased.
When asked about the differences between motocross and off-road racing, Osborne mentioned that he hadn’t had much opportunity to ride off-road tracks due to his injury. However, he did have a chance to experience the challenging Penton section of the GNCC, which involved riding rocks, roots, and managing difficult terrain. He acknowledged that there was a learning curve but expressed confidence in his ability to adapt and improve.
As the reigning 2020 Pro Motocross Champion, Osborne acknowledged that he might have a target on his back in the GNCC. He understood that competitors would want to beat him and recognized the elevated level of competition in off-road racing.
One significant difference Osborne noticed between supercross and off-road racing was the atmosphere. Off-road events were more laid-back and less corporate-driven. He appreciated the grassroots nature of off-road racing and the passion that riders had for the sport.
In terms of bike setup, Osborne mentioned that he now runs hand guards for off-road racing, something he hadn’t used in motocross or supercross. His bike is also set up softer for the rougher off-road terrain. He emphasized the durability of the off-road bikes and the focus on longevity rather than short bursts of performance.
Osborne shared that many racers and people in the sport thought he was crazy for transitioning from supercross to off-road racing. However, he believed it was the right decision for him and his wife. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity and the support from his team.
Regarding his recovery and plans for the summer break, Osborne mentioned that he had suffered a leg injury in a recent crash. Due to the extent of the injury and overall soreness, he decided to take some time to heal and come back stronger. He mentioned his intention to participate in local races and events during the summer break to regain his momentum and ride competitively again.
Although Osborne has considered racing on the West Coast, he admitted that the high speeds and the skill level of the riders in races like WORCS (World Off Road Championship Series) were not suitable for him at the moment.
When asked about his thoughts on two-stroke bikes, Osborne admitted he wasn’t a big fan and preferred the performance of four-stroke bikes. He mentioned that his current Yamaha YZ250F was one of his favorite bikes, and he believed that the advantages of riding a two-stroke in the GNCC were minimal.
Osborne’s down-to-earth and media-friendly nature was also discussed in the interview. He believed in reciprocating the time and effort people put into him and had respect for those working in different disciplines and making a living. Osborne expressed gratitude for the opportunities in his career and hoped to be a positive influence for future riders looking to transition from supercross to off-road racing.
The interview concluded with Osborne expressing his enthusiasm for returning to racing and making his mark in the GNCC. He emphasized his determination to succeed and pave the way for others in the sport.
The 2023 Pro Motocross season made a stop in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania on Father’s Day weekend, bringing a different vibe to the races. The 450 class featured a showdown between Ken Roczen and Jet Lawrence, as Roczen aimed to challenge Lawrence’s path to the championship. However, heavy rainfall before practice caused complications, making it crucial for riders to set a good lap time in the first qualifying session. Roczen seized this opportunity by setting a blazing time, while Lawrence struggled with minor crashes interrupting his session. In the 250 class, Justin Cooper experienced a crash during qualifying, while his teammate Haiden Deegan secured the fastest time. For more extensive coverage of the 2023 Pro Motocross season, click here.
250 MOTO 1
In the first 250 moto, the track was a muddy and rutted nightmare. RJ Hampshire took the lead initially, with Jo Shimoda in second. However, Shimoda went down in the second turn, causing a massive pile-up that also affected series point leader Hunter Lawrence. Haiden Deegan and Jalek Swoll battled for a few laps, but Deegan eventually broke free. As the race progressed, Lawrence made impressive progress through the pack, while Deegan kept a close eye on Hampshire. In a dramatic finish, Hampshire managed to retake the lead on the last lap. Lawrence also passed Swoll for third place at the very end.
1 RJ Hampshire 2 Haiden Deegan 3 Hunter Lawrence 4 Jalek Swoll 5 Ryder DiFrancesco 6 Maximus Vohland 7 Jo Shimoda 8 Chance Hymas 9 Caden Braswell 10 Preston Kilroy 11 Tom Vialle 12 Levi Kitchen 13 Talon Hawkins 14 Dilan Schwartz 15 Jordon Smith 16 Derek Kelley 17 Chase Yentzer 18 Maxwell Sanford 19 Slade Smith 20 Jack Rogers 21 Cory Carsten 22 Kyle Murdoch 23 Blaze Cremaldi 24 Mitchell Zaremba 25 Tyson Johnson 26 Joseph Tait 27 Rody Schroyer 28 James Harrington 29 Peyton Jackson 30 Tyler Evans 31 Gerald Lorenz III 32 Evan Haimowitz 33 Gerhard Matamoros 34 Aidan Dickens 35 Cole Jones 36 Skyler Leaf 37 Steve Roman 38 Tyler Conner 39 Matti Jorgensen 40 Ian Kearon
450 MOTO 1
Jett Lawrence took the holeshot in the 450 class with Ken Roczen starting around fifth. Roczen quickly moved up to second place and attempted to catch Lawrence throughout the race. However, every time Roczen made some progress, Lawrence responded and maintained a 4-second lead. Garrett Marchbanks managed to keep up with the front runners, while the rest of the field gradually fell behind. During the race’s midway point, Lawrence had a fall, allowing Roczen and Marchbanks to pass him. Although Lawrence quickly regained his position ahead of Marchbanks, it took several laps for him to catch up to Roczen. The two riders engaged in a thrilling battle, with Lawrence briefly overtaking Roczen, who retaliated and recaptured the lead a few turns later. Eventually, Lawrence secured the lead for good. Roczen stayed within a couple of seconds until he fell on the final lap, struggling to restart his Suzuki and settling for 7th place.
1 Jett Lawrence 2 Garrett Marchbanks 3 Cooper Webb 4 Adam Cianciarulo 5 Ty Masterpool 6 Dylan Ferrandis 7 Ken Roczen 8 Aaron Plessinger 9 Derek Drake 10 Romain Pape 11 Grant Harlan 12 Phillip Nicoletti 13 Lorenzo Locurcio 14 Fredrik Noren 15 Jeremy Hand 16 Kaeden Amerine 17 Trevor Schmidt 18 Brandon Ray 19 Christopher Prebula 20 Bryce Shelly 21 Vincent Luhovey 22 Max Miller 23 Jose Butron 24 Jared Lesher 25 Jeremy Smith 26 Chandler Baker 27 Luca Marsalisi 28 Jeffrey Walker 29 Cody Groves 30 Jace Kessler 31 Scott Meshey 32 Ricci Randanella 33 Ayden Shive 34 Lowell Spangler 35 Alex Ray 36 Billy Ainsworth 37 Bryton Carroll 38 Dakota Kessler 39 Matthew Burkeen 40 Jerry Robin
450 COMBINED QUALIFYING
1 Ken Roczen 2:21.066 2 Jett Lawrence 2:23.675 3 Garrett Marchbanks 2:24.214 4 Dylan Ferrandis 2:24.537 5 Adam Cianciarulo 2:24.858 6 Ty Masterpool 2:25.663 7 Derek Drake 2:25.764 8 Cooper Webb 2:26.264 9 Aaron Plessinger 2:28.969 10 Jerry Robin 2:30.106 11 Cody Groves 2:31.427 12 Grant Harlan 2:31.606 13 Fredrik Noren 2:31.657 14 Jeremy Smith 2:33.120 15 Bryton Carroll 2:33.492 16 Jeremy Hand 2:33.845 17 Kaeden Amerine 2:34.480 18 Luca Marsalisi 2:35.035 19 Chandler Baker 2:35.206 20 Jace Kessler 2:35.303 21 Christopher Prebula 2:35.612 22 Romain Pape 2:36.162 23 Lorenzo Locurcio 2:36.514 24 Jared Lesher 2:36.745 25 Ricci Randanella 2:36.803 26 Matthew Burkeen 2:37.312 27 Trevor Schmidt 2:37.354 28 Vincent Luhovey 2:37.828 29 Bryce Shelly 2:38.871 30 Alex Ray 2:39.387 31 Brandon Ray 2:39.559 32 Lowell Spangler 2:40.401 33 Scott Meshey 2:40.455 34 Max Miller 2:40.975 35 Jose Butron 2:41.277 36 Phillip Nicoletti 2:41.622 37 TJ Albright 2:42.471 38 Zack Williams 2:42.471 39 Gabe Gutierres 2:42.529 40 Ayden Shive 2:43.234 41 Billy Ainsworth 2:45.156 42 Ryan Diezic 2:45.280 43 Jacob Rose 2:45.837 44 Nathan Augustin 2:46.081 45 Felix Lopez 2:46.120 46 Jeffrey Walker 2:46.526 47 Dakota Kessler 2:46.780 48 Nick Fratz-Orr 2:47.299 49 Brandon Hugney 2:49.103 50 Alex Panzarella 2:49.618 51 Derek Leatherman 2:50.037 52 Seamus Sullivan 2:50.460 53 Austin Walker 2:50.785 54 Ezra Lewis 2:52.298 55 Nicholas Hayes 2:52.366 56 Thomas Lanphear 2:53.208 57 Rylan Bly 2:53.509 58 Bryce Hammond 2:54.280 59 Corey Burnett 2:55.091 60 Nick Kraeger 2:56.411 61 Garrett Smith 2:56.556 62 Evan Richard 2:56.879 63 Justin Thompson 2:56.963 64 Brandon Pederson 2:57.101 65 Jakob Rassa 2:57.671 66 Jacob Glenn 3:00.913 67 Brett Greenley 3:01.699 68 Maik Schaller 3:02.122 69 Zach Peters 3:03.616 70 Cole Bradford 3:04.606 71 Liam Langer 3:04.635 72 Anthony Roth 3:05.788 73 Landon Armbruster 3:06.183 74 Evan Talbott 3:08.420 75 Joey DeNeen 3:09.116 76 Ivon Hays 3:10.414 77 Chase Witmer 3:10.744 78 Nicholas Burgess 3:12.973 79 Trent Yoder 3:18.843 80 Devon Bates 3:25.138 81 Kyle Farren 3:25.662 82 Kyle Vidovich 3:29.085 83 William Clark 3:35.666 84 James Cooper 4:06.906 85 Vincent Harrison 4:35.069 86 Nicholas Peccarelli 4:45.895 87 Jimmy Knisley 6:18.230
250 COMBINED QUALIFYING
1 Haiden Deegan 2:20.801 2 Matti Jorgensen 2:21.018 3 Hunter Lawrence 2:21.734 4 Jo Shimoda 2:22.014 5 Steve Roman 2:22.521 6 Justin Cooper 2:22.545 7 RJ Hampshire 2:23.451 8 Chance Hymas 2:23.553 9 Maxwell Sanford 2:23.638 10 Jordon Smith 2:23.723 11 Maximus Vohland 2:23.926 12 Joseph Tait 2:24.912 13 Tom Vialle 2:25.345 14 Jalek Swoll 2:25.489 15 Ryder DiFrancesco 2:27.023 16 Preston Kilroy 2:27.411 17 Kyle Murdoch 2:27.778 18 Rody Schroyer 2:27.788 19 Cory Carsten 2:28.782 20 Peyton Jackson 2:28.820 21 Gerhard Matamoros 2:28.871 22 Skyler Leaf 2:29.229 23 Evan Haimowitz 2:29.578 24 Talon Hawkins 2:30.000 25 Derek Kelley 2:30.068 26 Caden Braswell 2:30.342 27 Slade Smith 2:30.463 28 Ian Kearon 2:30.702 29 Mitchell Zaremba 2:31.229 30 Chase Yentzer 2:31.390 31 Jack Rogers 2:31.697 32 Levi Kitchen 2:32.202 33 Dilan Schwartz 2:32.481 34 Aidan Dickens 2:32.824 35 Tyson Johnson 2:34.354 36 Gerald Lorenz III 2:34.362 37 Max Darling 2:34.713 38 Jason Neidigh 2:35.302 39 Gage Stine 2:35.671 40 Tyler Conner 2:35.996 41 Logan Boye 2:36.619 42 Damian Buccieri 2:37.207 43 Cole Jones 2:37.927 44 Blaze Cremaldi 2:38.002 45 James Harrington 2:38.017 46 Travis Mecking 2:39.076 47 Konnor Visger 2:39.803 48 Cory Gilliam 2:40.240 49 Hunter Cross 2:40.499 50 Ethan Lane 2:40.511 51 Marcus Phelps 2:40.585 52 Bryson Raymond 2:40.817 53 Michael Lennon 2:41.513 54 Braden Gray 2:41.674 55 Christopher Williams 2:41.818 56 Tyler Evans 2:42.411 57 Riley Ripper 2:43.161 58 Charles Tolleson 2:43.680 59 Nicholas Inman 2:44.061 60 Ashton Bloxom 2:44.392 61 Colton Eigenmann 2:44.804 62 Gage Hulsey 2:44.942 63 Robert Bailey 2:46.411 64 Cole Robbins 2:47.076 65 Jason Fichera 2:47.091 66 Brantley Schnell 2:47.406 67 Ryan Quinn 2:47.953 68 Ethan Day 2:47.987 69 Nolan Dickinson 2:49.583 70 Zachary Lahman 2:51.526 71 Gavin Brough 2:52.142 72 James Churn 2:52.639 73 Jordan Jarvis 2:53.133 74 Brian Saunier 2:53.566 75 Steven Keil 2:53.600 76 Ryan Lechien 3:05.763
The global search for the best sim racing talent continues for a fourth season in 2023
Sant’Agata Bolognese, 31st May 2023 – The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports season in 2023 is the fourth edition of the virtual contest for Lamborghini fans worldwide. The competition now takes place on the Assetto Corsa Competizione platform and introduces new format changes. It offers participants the opportunity to compete against elite Esport talent from three different continents.
The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports showcases the latest Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 race car and represents Lamborghini’s commitment to authenticity, bravery, and unexpectedness in the world of Esports.
Format changes for 2023
This season, aspiring Esport talents can demonstrate their skills live at famous racing venues in Europe. The Fanatec Arena, located at select racing venues hosting the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS, allows the public to experience cutting-edge racing simulations. The fastest driver from each event earns a wildcard entry into The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports Grand Final.
On-site locations:
Circuit Paul Ricard | June 3rd
Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps | July 2nd
Nürburgring | July 29th
In addition to the on-site activations, drivers from the European region can participate in a four-round online racing series. Prior to each standalone racing event, there will be a hot-stint competition. The NALA and APAC regions will also have their hot-stint qualifications followed by regional finals with the top 24 drivers from each region.
Moreover, the Lamborghini Abu Dhabi and Dubai dealers have partnered with the Real Race program to organize a simulator tour, scouting for the best student racing “drivers” in Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s leading schools and universities. The top three students will represent the UAE in the tournament final.
For European drivers, the challenge is to qualify for each race through a leaderboard hot-stint competition. The top 24 drivers advance to a standalone race using the Assetto Corsa Competizione simulation. The top four finishers from each race earn a spot in the on-site final at the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit.
The final grid will consist of the 16 qualified drivers, one wildcard qualifier from each on-site activation, and the three qualifiers from Lamborghini Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These European finalists and wildcard entrants will compete in an on-site grand final at the Fanatec Arena during the GT World Challenge race weekend at the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit.
A ‘money can’t buy’ prize
The ultimate goal for participants in The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports series is to win the Grand Final and secure a money-can’t-buy opportunity to become a factory driver in the new Automobili Lamborghini Esports Team. The winners from the NALA and APAC regions will also join the Lamborghini family as proud representatives of the brand in their respective regions.
This tournament expands Lamborghini’s presence in international virtual motorsport, transforming the lives and careers of those who can rise to the top of the Esports racing podium.
Schedule
The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports season kicks off in June for European competitors and in August for APAC and NALA participants.
European Hot-stint Qualification Circuit Paul Ricard Start: June 5th at 11:00 CEST / End: June 12th at 10:00 CEST
Monza Grand Prix Circuit Start: June 12th at 11:00 CEST / End: June 19th at 10:00 CEST
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Start: June 19th at 11:00 CEST / End June 26th at 10:00 CEST
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Start June 26th at 11:00 CEST / End: July 3rd at 10:00 CEST
European Qualification Races Race 1 – Paul Ricard June 15th at 19:30 CEST Race 2 – Monza June 22nd at 19:30 CEST Race 3 – Barcelona June 29th at 19:30 CEST Race 4 – Spa July 6th at 19:30 CEST
NALA Hot-stint Qualifying Indianapolis Start August 14th at 10:00 CEST / End August 28th at 10:00 CEST
APAC Hot-stint Qualifying Suzuka Start August 17th at 10:00 CEST / End August 31st at 10:00 CEST
European Regional Final (on-site) Date: July 30th 2023 Race 1 – Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit Race 2 – Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit
NALA Regional Final (online) Date: September 2nd 2023 Race 1 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Course Race 2 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Course
APAC Regional Final (online) Date: September 6th 2023 Race 1 – Suzuka Circuit Race 2 – Suzuka Circuit
Live Streaming and Official Website
All events of The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports will be broadcast live and exclusively on the official Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube and social media channels. For more information about the series, visit the official website: https://esports.lamborghini/.
The Real Race Official Technical Partner: Assetto Corsa Competizione
Assetto Corsa Competizione is the official GT World Challenge video game. It offers a high-quality simulation experience, allowing players to compete against official drivers, teams, cars, and circuits of the FIA GT3 homologated championship. The game features realistic weather conditions, graphics, motion capture animations, and driving physics. It sets a new standard for driving realism and immersion.
About AK Esports
Ak Esports is an Italian company specialized in organizing Esports competitions, managing Esports teams, and hosting events across Europe, with a focus on Sim Racing. Founded by Ak Informatica, experts in PC gaming since 2004, the company has steadily grown by working with the latest technology and gaming titles to develop Esports Entertainment. AK Esports has collaborated with various car manufacturers and, in partnership with SRO Motorsport Group and Kunos Simulazioni, created the first SRO Esports Championship in 2019. Learn more about AK at www.akesports.it.
Björn Lellmann, who is the Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport, shared how the new season in the DTM and associated series began last weekend. Although the BMW M4 GT3 did not perform perfectly at Oschersleben, BMW M Motorsport had many things to be happy about. The all-new BMW M4 GT4 performed extremely well in the very competitive ADAC GT4 Germany, earning four podiums in just two races for Walkenhorst Motorsport and Project 1. In the British GT, Century Motorsport achieved more podium finishes in the GT4 class, and earned fifth place in the overall standings with the BMW M4 GT3, and likewise, grabbing valuable championship points. A week before, privateer BMW M Motorsport teams earned a total of six class wins in the Nürburgring 24-hour race, included the new BMW M4 GT4 in the hotly contested SP10 category. The BMW M2 CS Racing was likewise triumphant in the TC America. In the Italian GT Championship, Ceccato Racing reached the podium for BMW M Motorsport. Lellmann was ecstatic with these stupendous results and congratulated all the teams and drivers.
In the ADAC GT4 Germany series hosted at Oschersleben, the new BMW M4 GT4 jumped onto the scene with a bang, capturing four podium finishes. Three of these podium places belonged to Walkenhorst Motorsport. In the first race that took place on Saturday, Sami-Matti Trogen (FIN) and Enzo Joulié (FRA) landed second place. They were followed by their team-mates Nico Hantke (GER) and Mex Jansen (NED). The BMW M4 GT4 earned second place in Sunday’s race. The Project 1 team succeeded in capturing second place with the reigning BMW M2 Cup champion, Maxime Oosten (NED) and Michal Makes (CZE). Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Hantke and Jansen obtained third place once again. The BMW M4 GT4 from Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport and FK Performance Motorsport both secured top-five and top-ten positions. The Sunday race marked the BMW M4 GT4 earning second, third, fourth, and fifth positions.
The BMW M2 Cup also had the commencement of its season at Oschersleben, showcasing a competitive 16-car field. However, Denny Berndt (GER) grabbed first place in both the races and secured two wins in the BMW M2 CS Racing. Max Rosam (GER) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) placed in second and third positions on Saturday, while Rosam took second place again on Sunday and Bart Horsten (AUS) secured third place. The BMW M2 Cup will be part of the support programme for six out of the eight DTM race weekends, with the upcoming race weekend scheduled for the Norisring (GER).
At the British GT Championship race weekend held at Donington Park (GBR), BMW M works drivers Dan Harper and Darren Leung (both GBR)’s fifth place finish in the overall standings is notable, following their victory at Silverstone. In the GT4 category, Carl Cavers and Lewis Plato (both GBR) gained third place and second place in the Pro-Am category in the BMW M4 GT4 with number #22. The team’s #14 BMW M4 GT4 driven by Michael Johntson and Chris Salkeld (both GBR) obtained third position in the Pro-Am standings. In contrast, Harper and Leung sit in third place in the drivers’ standings with 68.5 points.
In the third round of the season in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS that was held at the Circuit Of The Americas near Austin (USA), BimmerWorld and ST Racing was present with one BMW M4 GT3 each. In the Pro class, Chandler Hull and Bill Auberlen (both USA) placed fourth in the BimmerWorld #94 BMW M4 GT3 at the circuit. In the Pro-Am class, Samantha Tan (CAN) and BMW M works driver John Edwards (USA) secured the fifth place in the ST Racing #38 BMW M4 GT3.
BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 #51 from Auto Technic Racing driven by John Dubets and Zac Anderson (both USA) earned the overall win and victory in the Silver class in the first of two GT4 America races. In the second race, they landed third place overall and second in the Silver standings. The BMW M4 GT4s obtained a one-two result in the Am standings. Rooster Hall Racing earned second place in the Pro-Am class. The BMW drivers earned five out of six podium positions in the two TC America races.
In the Italian GT Championship Endurance Cup held at Pergusa (ITA), the Ceccato Racing team secured third place and won the Pro-Am class with the #7 BMW M4 GT3 driven by Stefano Comandini, Marco Cassarà (both ITA), and Alfred Nilsson (SWE) after braving the rain throughout the two-hour race.
The BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux race was held at Red Bull Ring (AUT), and Senna van Soelen (NED) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) won first place in both races. BMW 330e M Sport claimed podium finishes in the British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton (GBR). In both races, Jake Hill from the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport team came second, followed by Colin Turkington from Team BMW who came third. All four BMW drivers placed in the top ten in the third and final race, with Stephen Jelley (GBR) capturing sixth place.
YOKOHAMA, Japan – Following a busy first part of Season 9, with nine races in less than five months spanning five continents, the Nissan Formula E Team drivers Sacha Fenestraz and Norman Nato reflect on their first season with the squad, the challenges of Gen3, and more.
Sacha Fenestraz
How did you find the adaptation process to the Gen3 technology?
Sacha Fenestraz: When I began testing last year with Nissan, I quickly realized that I kind of had to start again, from a blank sheet of paper almost. The car is so different to anything I experienced before, even the Gen2 machinery. I knew the energy management from my experience in the Gen2 car, but I had to adapt my driving style.
Did you find it easy to settle in with Nissan?
SF: Yes, it was great, the relationship between the whole squad is really good. On my side of the garage, my engineer Johann and I are both new to Formula E, so we are learning together and really open minded with each other. When mistakes happen, we’re honest and talk about it openly. It’s been going really well so far and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the team and building the season together.
I also have a great relationship with Norman, the best I’ve ever had with a teammate. We don’t hide anything, we share data and ideas. When we started working together, he told me he would be open and we would help each other and we both quickly realized we had a healthy relationship there.
What has been the highlights of your maiden Formula E campaign?
SF: Monaco! Even though it was taken away, to achieve pole position at such an historic and important track for a racing driver, that was the highlight for me. Of course the first pole position in Cape Town was very special but for some reason Monaco felt even better because I never expected it. If you told me last year I would take pole in Cape Town and Monaco I wouldn’t have believed you but somehow we managed to do it.
Can you explain your feelings in the moment you took your first Formula E pole position in Cape Town?
SF: It took quite a few days for it to sink in. It brought a lot of emotions, the beginning of the season was a bit of a rollercoaster for me, achieving a pole position this year was not at the top of our objectives for the campaign, so managing to do it was great and I was extremely happy for myself and the team. And then we proved it wasn’t a one-off in Monaco, which made it even better.
How did it feel to go up against Norman in the Monaco qualifying semi-final?
SF: I hated it! I’m very much a team player, I don’t just race for myself, so I always hope for both of us to do well. I knew one of us wouldn’t have the opportunity to fight for pole position, it would’ve been great for us to meet in the final and be guaranteed first and second on the grid, but this is Formula E and sometimes it can happen. Of course, once I jumped in the car and put the visor down, I did the best job I could and didn’t think about who I was racing against. But still, it was a shame to be against Norman and I wished it was someone else, although obviously I was happy to have Norman at the front of the grid with me.
How was it to battle with the championship leaders in Monaco?
SF: I feel that Monaco was one of the races I learnt the most from, in terms of strategy, when to push and what to do from who I was following. To be up with the championship leading teams and drivers gave me a great opportunity to learn just from watching behind. Obviously I wished I was ahead of them, but just by observing it was a great way to see our strengths and weaknesses against the leading teams.
Norman Nato
How did you find the adaptation process to the Gen3 technology?
Norman Nato: It was complicated in a way because there are many new aspects we have to do differently and learn in terms of preparing to drive the car, it’s definitely not the same technically compared to Gen2. On track, especially during push laps, it’s fairly similar, it’s more the approach and strategy that we had to change.
Did the Gen3 cars match your expectations?
NN: In terms of power, I would say it’s been a really good step forward. It’s positive because as drivers we can clearly feel the boost compared to a Gen 2 car. I think we would all prefer more grip in general, because it’s really tough to drive the car in the way that you want to. We would like to push a bit more but there’s just not enough grip to do that.
Which of the three new tracks (Hyderabad, Cape Town, São Paulo) was your favourite and why?
NN: India, despite the fact that Turn 1 was messy! The rest of the circuit was great, and it was fun to battle on track. Qualifying was also cool to drive, the layout was really good. Brazil was very different, I quite liked it, bumpy and challenging, which is what I enjoy in Formula E, where you have to fight with the car. Cape Town is an amazing place but I think the track was too quick for the cars, with the level of grip we have.
How did it feel to race on your home circuit at Monaco in the Gen3 car?
NN: To drive any car at Monaco is a pleasure and a dream, it’s Monaco! It’s so special, and the only regret I have – not speaking about the race which is obviously tough to swallow – is that everything happens in one day and you don’t really have time to enjoy it. It all went so fast, we spend two or three days doing media, which is enjoyable, because it’s great to soak up the atmosphere, although it would be ideal to have more chance to enjoy the moment on track. But anyway, to race in Monaco is a pleasure and to be on the limit in qualifying and perform well, it’s an extra happiness.
Has the Monaco qualifying session given you a boost of confidence ahead of the remaining rounds?
NN: To be honest, not really, because I never lost my confidence. A few times this season we’ve made mistakes with tire strategy or been unlucky, for example we caught yellow flags in qualifying in Cape Town and Brazil, so there were a few occasions I feel we should’ve been up there, but weren’t for whatever reason. We proved our speed in Monaco and it was really important and good for us to bounce back the way we did following the tough weekend in Berlin.
What do the team and you need to do to be competing at the front in the second half of the season?
NN: I would say energy management in the race and getting the best out of both cars. So far, we’ve struggled to get the two of us in the Duels and we’ve never had a double-points finish, which is a difference between us and other teams. Monaco was the perfect race example, we had the performance to do it but it didn’t happen. This is what we need to develop in the second half of the championship and hopefully it can have a massive impact on the teams’ standings if we get it right.
About Nissan in Formula E Nissan made its all-electric racing debut in Season 5 (2018/19) of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, becoming the first and only Japanese manufacturer to enter the series.
In Season 7 (2020/21), Nissan announced its long-term involvement in Formula E and its commitment to the Gen3 era, which will run from Season 9 (2022/23) through to the end of Season 12 (2025/26) of the all-electric racing series.
In April 2022, Nissan acquired the e.dams race team, with the Japanese automaker taking full ownership of its involvement in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
In June 2022, Nissan announced it would supply its Nissan EV powertrain technology to McLaren Racing for the entirety of the Formula E Gen3 era.
For Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Nissan Formula E drivers will be Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz.
Nissan races in Formula E to bring the excitement and fun of zero-emission electric vehicles to a global audience. As part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050, Nissan intends to electrify every all-new vehicle offering by the early 2030s in key markets. The Japanese automaker aims to bring its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between the racetrack and road for better electric vehicles for customers.
About Formula E The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship became the first global sport to be certified with a net zero carbon footprint from inception back in 2020, having invested in certified climate-protecting projects in all race markets to offset emissions from every season of electric racing.
All cars in the championship are powered by electricity, with the series acting as a competitive platform to test and develop the latest in electric technology.
The World’s greatest manufacturers race against each other on street circuits and Formula E promotes the adoption of sustainable mobility in city centres in a bid to combat air pollution and lessen the effects of climate change.
Contact Maria De Juana Head of Communications, Formula E, Nissan Motor Co. Phone: +33-6 17 36 37 61 mdejuana@nissan-europe.com
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
