Intercontinental GT Challenge 2019 – Round 2 – California 8 Hours – Ferrari and HubAuto Corsa win California 8 Hour
Posted: 31.03.2019
Source: Ferrari
Monterey, California | 31 March 2019 – Ferrari has won the 2019 edition of the California 8 hour round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, after an utterly dominant performance from HubAuto Corsa and their Ferrari 488 GT3 machine. Drivers Nick Foster, Tim Slade and Ferrari factory pilot Miguel Molina combined to lead 194 laps of the 327 laps run. In a race that was run entirely under the green flag, consistent pace and flawless pit stop work were required for a good result, and the HubAuto Corsa team, all three drivers and the Ferrari 488 GT3 delivered in spades.
Record distance. Without a single caution period for the entire 8 hour duration, it should come as no surprise that the race set a distance and lap record for the nascent event. The lack of interruption also meant that strategic variation was limited and consistent pace ultimately won the day. To that end, all three Ferrari pilots were able to consistently manage pace and tire degradation, so while their ultimate pace may not have been the fastest, the average lap times generated throughout the stint were far superior. The team also played a crucial role, with seven near-flawless pit stops that minimized the time lost on pit lane.
Laguna novices become expert. All three drivers opened the weekend as Laguna Seca novices, having never been to the Northern California circuit previously. They were able, however, to get up to speed quickly and execute an error free race. Specifically the team put together a set up and strategy that prioritized the race over qualifying position which allowed the no. 27 Ferrari to switch on its Pirelli tires earlier in the race than most of its competitors. This advantage proved decisive as overtaking proved particularly challenging.
Championship Implications. The No. 27 HubAuto Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 is the only Ferrari that will be contesting all of the rounds of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. After a disastrous opening round at Bathurst, this weekend’s win has put the team firmly back into the championship hunt. The team and drivers find themselves tied for second in the driver’s championship with 25 points while Ferrari is now up to third place with 29 points.
Schedule. With the second round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge complete, HubAuto will again pack everything into a shipping container, which will make its way to Belgium for the 24 Hours at Spa at the end of July. The season will continue with the Suzuka 10 Hour at the end of August and finish with the Kyalami 9 Hour at the end of November.
Intercontinental GT Challenge 2019 – Round 2 – California 8 Hours – Ferrari dominate at Laguna Seca
Posted: 31.03.2019
Source: Ferrari
- Superlative performance from HubAuto Corsa in the California 8H
Maranello, 31st March 2019 – The weekend produced two red letter days for the Ferrari 488 GT3s involved in two arduous endurance races, the California 8 Hours and the 12 Hours of Mugello, which both concluded with the 488 GT3s of HubAuto Corsa and Scuderia Praha heading the leader board.
California 8 Hours. The Ferrari 488 GT3 of the HubAuto Corsa team has triumphed in the 2019 edition of the California 8 Hours, the second round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge disputed this weekend at the historic Laguna Seca circuit in Monterey, California. The series organized by SRO, which includes endurance races on some of the world’s most spectacular and challenging circuits, held its opening date back in February on Australia soil, with the Bathurst 12 Hour. The season will continue at Spa in July before moving on to Suzuka in August and Kyalami in November. Nick Foster, Tim Slade and Miguel Molina, the official drivers of the Competizioni GT, led 194 of the 327 laps raced. In a competition run without interruptions from the Safety Car, both race pace and the work of the pit crew were decisive elements in ensuring such an outstanding result, with the team, drivers and the 488 GT3 living up to expectations. The result puts HubAuto Corsa back in the battle for the championship title. The winners of the race now hold second spot in the general standings, while Ferrari occupies third position in the constructors’ championship with 29 points.
Honour’s List. These successes take the 488 GT3 win tally to 208 out of 417 races, again reaffirming the car’s great competitiveness and reliability.
Intercontinental GT Challenge 2019 – Round 2 – California 8 Hours – HubAuto takes 3rd in California 8 Hour Start
Posted: 30.03.2019
Source: Ferrari
Monterey, California | 30 March 2019 – HubAuto and Ferrari factory pilot Miguel Molina took third place at the start of the California 8 Hour round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Miguel Molina made an aggressive start in the no. 27 Ferrari 488 GT3 and briefly held third on his way into the Andretti hairpin. The normal scrum for position in the opening corner, however, relegated him back to his original starting position.
The Ferrari, however, would not be denied and over the ensuing 15 minutes leveraged consistent pressure and a slower back-marker to make the pass for third into the T11 hairpin. He then set about chasing down the Acura in 2nd place, closing a four second gap in only 10 minutes. The two are now less than one second apart as the Ferrari 488 GT3 shows its pace at the twisting California circuit.
Fast Start. While there was the expected drama at the middle of the pack, the leading Nissan has jumped ahead, establishing a five second gap over his nearest competitor. That gap, established over the opening three laps, has remained consistent in the opening 20 minutes of this race as competitors settle in to what will be a long 8 hour contest.
Intercontinental GT Challenge 2019 – Round 2 – California 8 Hours – HubAuto Qualifies for Pole Shootout at Laguna Seca
Posted: 30.03.2019
Source: Ferrari
Monterey, 30 March 2019 – HubAuto and its three drivers have qualified for the pole shootout for the California 8 Hour race at Laguna Seca. The qualifying format meant times from all three drivers were critically important as the best laps from each driver were averaged together to create the final rankings.
Strong Line Up Delivers. The three HubAuto Corsa drivers all set lap times that were within a couple of tenths of each other. Nick Forester ultimately took the fastest time of the trip with a 1:23.659 in the second of three qualifying sessions, beating out Ferrari factory pilot Miguel Molina. Miguel set his time in the third and final session, with a best time of 1:23.757. Tim Slade was the first to hit the track and also posted the slowest time of the three, but was only four tenths away from Nick with a 1:24.046.
Schedule. HubAuto will return to the circuit at 3:40pm where they will compete with the nine other fastest teams to set the pole sitter for tomorrow’s 8 hour main event.
Intercontinental GT Challenge 2019 – Round 2 – California 8 Hours – HubAuto chasing victory at Laguna Seca
Posted: 29.03.2019
Source: Ferrari
Monterey, 29 March 2019 – Ferrari will continue its charge in the Intercontinental GT Challenge as HubAuto Corsa heads to the United States and the historic Laguna Seca circuit in Monterey, California. Organized by the SRO, this world-wide competition began in February in Australia with the Bathurst 12 Hours and will continue on to three additional rounds at world-renowned circuits over the coming year.
Rebound at Laguna. HubAuto drivers Nick Forster and Tim Slade will be joined by Ferrari factory pilot Miguel Molina, replacing Nick Percat, for the second round at Laguna Seca. The team suffered a difficult Bathurst after early contact knocked them out of the running, however they will look to rebound at the classic North American circuit.
Competitive Field. The quality of the competitors at the California 8 Hours has hit a new high compared to the first instance of the event in 2018. 16 drivers among the twenty cars entered have an FIA license level of platinum, indicating they are among the highest caliber of racing driver. HubAuto enters the fray with its own ace pilots. Nick Foster carries a gold license with the FIA and spent numerous years in British Touring Car competition; while Tim Slade, also a gold rated driver, has done nine consecutive Bathurst 1000 races in Australian V8 Supercar competition. Miguel, however, is the only driver of the trio to have raced in the United States previously, but none of them have competed at Laguna Seca previously.
Schedule. On track sessions begin on Thursday with practice at 11:35am, followed by pre-qualifying at 3:05pm. Qualifying will take place from 11:20am on Friday through 12:20, before a final pole shootout at 3:40pm. The race will run from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Saturday.