Pirelli World Challenge

[BSchneiderFan]

"Pirelli World Challenge" doesn't have the same ring to it as Trans-Am.

[Speed-King]

But it's not like the Trans-Am name is available right now or will be in the foreseeable future...

[nasportscar]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

I hope he gets his hands on a new Mustang.

Anyway, I'll be cheering for our local boy!

I've heard a new Mustang is a good possibility later in the season

[nasportscar]

Originally Posted by Rcz

That's a nice Acura.

It makes a GT3 style Trans-Am like series seem possible.

That's pretty much what the WC-Spec GT cars were - a blend of Trans Am and GT3. But, WC Vision saw into the future and made the right choice on where to take the category and begin building the brand.

[TRspitfirefan]

World Challenge has revamped their website.
Looks pretty sharp IMO.
http://world-challenge.com/

[nasportscar]

Here's a cool story about a couple working on TCB builds http://nasportscar.com/building-b-spec/

[Mechanic Z]

Originally Posted by nasportscar

Here's a cool story about a couple working on TCB builds http://nasportscar.com/building-b-spec/

That's pretty cool. More TCB cars for RA!

[Mechanic Z]

Shea Racing is returning to the TC class with two Honda Accords for Shea Holbrook (who's back for a full season after a partial season in '15) and Jason Fichter.
http://world-challenge.com/latest/te...honda-accords/

And three cars for Hale Racing in 2016. Sounds like Randy Hale and Joey Jordan will be in TC Mazda MX-5s, while Henry Morse will be in a TCB Mazda2.

http://world-challenge.com/latest/se...-spec-classes/

[Mechanic Z]

Another announcement, this time from Breathless Pro Racing.
http://world-challenge.com/latest/se...6-pwc-drivers/

TC: MX-5 for Ernie Francis Jr.
Mustang V-6 for Ricardo Flores
TCA: MX-5 for Mel Shaw
TCB: Mazda2 for Ted Hough

Glad to see all the announcements for TC classes, their races are always entertaining.

[Mechanic Z]

Preseason test for World Challenge teams scheduled for Feb 15-16 at COTA.
http://sportscar365.com/gt/news-notes-roundup-2-3/

[nasportscar]

there will be at least 1 team having a test the the week before that as well

[nasportscar]

KPax/FL lineup consists of 3 cars - Parente, Thompson, Cindric...huge

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by nasportscar

KPax/FL lineup consists of 3 cars - Parente, Thompson, Cindric...huge

Killer lineup.... Shame the intercontinental challenge race at COTA isn't happening, Parente/Thompson/Cindric would have made an interesting endurance lineup

[TRspitfirefan]

Originally Posted by nasportscar

KPax/FL lineup consists of 3 cars - Parente, Thompson, Cindric...huge

Wow! That is quite a line up. Parente is probably the quickest of the Mclaren factory aces. What a great opportunity for both Thompson and Cindric, it should be fun seeing how they fare in the GT/GTA class.

A bit of a shame that Robert Thorne is not back with the team. I think He had the potential to do much better last season, if not for a lot of bad luck.

[Mechanic Z]

Originally Posted by nasportscar

KPax/FL lineup consists of 3 cars - Parente, Thompson, Cindric...huge

Fantastic lineup! Was hoping that Parente would be the factory pilot, he's every bit as quick as Estre.

Going to be interesting to see how Thompson and Michael Lewis match up, now that they're in different cars and both have more experience.

Links to articles, for anyone who hasn't seen them yet:
http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-cha...claren-lineup/

http://world-challenge.com/latest/se...driver-lineup/

[Coach Ep]

Thompson and Cindric will be out of GTA after one weekend! The true amateurs are no match for these guys at all!

PWC should put both of them in GT straight away, why bother with the Am awards when they're gunning for full professional careers?

[Mechanic Z]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Thompson and Cindric will be out of GTA after one weekend! The true amateurs are no match for these guys at all!

PWC should put both of them in GT straight away, why bother with the Am awards when they're gunning for full professional careers?

Not sure about Cindric, but Thompson is headed straight to GT for sure:

Colin Thompson
Joining K-PAX Racing for 2016 is really a special opportunity and a big step for my career. I’ve also had some experience with Flying Lizard recently, and the relationship through Darren Law and Jim Haughey has been an easy transition, coming from a GT cup car to make the jump into the full GT class of World Challenge completing the ladder, now racing at the top level of sports car racing in America. Running the McLaren is a really cool car. The first time I got to touch it, was in France doing an interview with McLaren as a junior driver at Paul Ricard. The car really blew me away. It’s one of the most natural and intuitive cars to drive. It’s going to make the transition easier to race at the top and be there for the win.

http://world-challenge.com/latest/se...driver-lineup/

[Mechanic Z]

Fun fact: last time Lizards were involved in a three car effort, they won the 2008 ALMS teams and drivers championships.

[Mechanic Z]

New Chief Steward is Peter Roberts.

The series also adds a new Chief Steward in Peter Roberts. As Race Director for Porsche Supercup, and many UK championships including the BTCC program, he came with recommendations from the FIA.

http://world-challenge.com/latest/se...es-new-change/

Racer's Edge has been testing the SIN R1:
http://world-challenge.com/latest/se...ng-pwc-season/

And following yesterday's K-Pax/Lizards announcement, looks like there's a friendly rivalry brewing between US Mclaren Teams:

GAINSCO Racing ‏@GAINSCOracing 4h4 hours ago So @KPAXracing...3 on 1, that's how you want to play it?! #wegotthis #mclarengt #front2rowsareours

K-PAX Racing ‏@KPAXracing 20m20 minutes ago After tying with the series champs for most wins last year, we're feeling pretty confident we'll keep ours on top

https://twitter.com/KPAXracing/statu...14950661529601

[Mechanic Z]

Seems this will be the livery for the Calvert cars:


Edit:
And here's the livery for the Wright car!

[Mechanic Z]

This has the potential to be really cool.
One of Flying Lizard's PCA customers, Andy Wilzoch, has purchased a new 2016 991 GT3-R and apparently the goal is to step up to pro racing and run in PWC GTA later this season!

"I'm excited to be part of the return of Porsche to Flying Lizard Motorsports that has brought so much success over the last decade," said a victorious Wilzoch. "After 15 years in PCA Club racing, it's time to step up the effort with the new GT3R and see if Darren and the Lizards can produce a winning combination of car and driver for the rest of the year."
"This was the best way to start off the season," said Program Manager Darren Law. "The goal this season is to not only expand our customer racing program in club events, but also work with Andy to take him to the next level and help him to step up to professional racing. We're going to continue to test and develop with his new 991GT3R, with the intention of making his professional debut later this season in the Pirelli World Challenge GTA class."

http://http://www.lizardms.com/news/...16/feb-08.html



Also, Colin Thompson tweeted a McLaren testing pic.

Colin Thompson ‏@AGOGECOLIN 1h1 hour ago Class is in session @KPAXracing @RaceSonoma #perfectingtheride

[TRspitfirefan]

FLYING LIZARD PORSCHE!

That has a rather nice ring to it, doesn't it.

The best part is, it isn't at the expense of the lovely K-pax Mclarens.
Hopefully if this program moves forward, it will have the classic Lizard livery and number 44 or 45.

[nasportscar]

GT/GTA/GT Cup entry list tracker http://nasportscar.com/2016-entry-li...e-gtgtagt-cup/

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by nasportscar

GT/GTA/GT Cup entry list tracker http://nasportscar.com/2016-entry-li...e-gtgtagt-cup/

Just goes to a 404 timeout

[Mike Hedlund]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

Just goes to a 404 timeout

Works for me.

-mike