From behind the pitwall: Petit Le Mans 2011

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The following can be attributed to Robert Overholser of Lufteknic Porsche, Richmond, VA. 

It's been a while since I was at the track for some ALMS crew work. It was refreshing and fun to be back in the action, almost a vacation to be away from the shop and doing something that I've enjoyed doing for a long time now. My good friend Marc at German Performance Service has been working with Black Swan Racing for the past 2 years.

 

The past 2 years have resulted in Championships in the ALMS GTC class. Road Atlanta was packed with fans ready to watch the battles, and it was also one of the few races in recent memory where there was more competitors than slots available to race cars. A few were cut depending on qualifying results...


The 2011 Petit Lemans had great weather, the start of fall was upon us with a fantastic turnout, and a full field of cars. The only appearance of the Audi R18 in North America for 2011. After the disappointment at this past summer, with the lone Audi victory at the  Le Mans 24 hours, they were out for the win. Peugeot now has experience, tenure in the field, wins to prove it, and was a formidable force for the race. The race got started with the typical blistering pace that all the "modern" sports-car races do. All out sprint, no matter the distance.



As the LMP field encountered the GT cars, the first caution/incident was imminent. The race pace was soon set and many of the LMP cars developed problems or fell victim to incidents. Both Audi R18s had been overcome by incidents.



Bourdains pole sitting Peugeot also ran into problems and was ultimately parked with transmission trouble. The GT/GTC field was where the race to watch was at, no question. Mere seconds separated most of the field, and for the entire 10 hr/ 1000 mile distance this was the case.



The GTC championship for 2011 would be decided by the results of this years Petit Lemans. Black Swan's driver line-up was the team owner Tim Pappas, Jereon Bleekemolen, and his brother Sebastian ( both of Porsche Supercup fame). Tim entered the race leading in driver's points for the championship, and Black Swan had to finish 70% of the race and the second place team (TRG) had to be beaten in order to clinch the championship. Due to other driving commitments throughout the 2011 season both Jereon and Sebastian could only help bring the team championship home - Tim was the only Black Swan driver in play for the driver's title.



As the race wore on GTC was to be one of the closest battles. Great pit stops and clean racing meant there were mere seconds that separated the first 3 places. TRG and Black Swan Racing swapping 1st or 2nd for the last few hours. Through some of the closing cautions Alex Job Racing was able to get the lead, adding to the ferocity of the battle.



Towards the end, under darkness, Jereon was able to pass the TRG car to gain the lead, and brought the championship home for Black Swan! It was literally a nail-biter the last few laps; traffic and darkness at Road Atlanta can be a crazy time to concentrate behind the wheel of any race car. Jeroen brought the car to the finish unscathed, and after almost 4 hours in the car, it was incredible to watch his performance.



The team finished 1st place in class at Petit Le Mans in 2011, 2nd place finish for 2010, both of which garnered championships for Black Swan Racing in GTC.

In the past Marc and I have won championships together with Turner Motorsport, it was great to help out, and help bring home another.

-Robert