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Porsche and Chopard Too Hot at Lone Star Le Mans 2017
16th September 2017
Circuit Of The Americas, Austin, Texas
World Endurance Championship 2017
Porsche and Timing Partner CHOPARD arrived at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) as the 2017 championship leader in endurance racing, and they left Austin still leading.
Porsche Motorsport
The No. 2 Porsche LMP Team of Timo Bernhard, Earl Bamber and Brendon Hartley overtook the No. 1 Porsche team in the late stage of the Lone Star Le Mans to win the hot six-hour race. They also had to retake the lead a couple of times from the No. 8 Toyota Gazoo Racing Team on their way to a third straight win at COTA.
Porsche win 6 Hrs of COTA
“The Toyotas were quicker than we expected, maybe quicker than they expected,” Hartley said. “They went out like rabbits at the start. This race was really exciting from the word go, a lot more so than the last race in Mexico. Of course, the No. 1 (Porsche) car could have won; fortunately for us, we swapped positions near the end.”
6 Hrs of COTA 2017
Due to the European TV prime time, the 6-hour race had no night session, much to the chagrin of the sweltering drivers, pit crew and spectators in weather conditions of 36 degrees C and 43% humidity.
“We could really feel the heat,” said Nick Tandy of the No. 1 Porsche LMP team. “The good thing: Tire warm-up was not a problem.”
6 Hrs of COTA 2017
Drivers and fans preferred a night race. Last year’s night race drew at least 30,000 fans, according to track officials, who reported a weekend attendance at 74,457. Circuit of the Americas officials no longer release attendances figures so the best guesses of the journalists estimated this year's hot crowd at only around 15,000-20,000.
European television wanted a day race for their prime time and a night race would have been more expensive for COTA with imported temporary lighting.
Porsche 919 Hybrid car #2
Unfortunately for the fans, the WEC is leaving COTA for at least two years, although both sides are hopeful of a return in 2020.
However, Porsche will not be back to WEC racing at COTA as they drop endurance racing to move on to Formula E together with Mercedes Benz and Audi in 2019.
The WEC has already lost the big brands and finally, Toyota may actually win the 2019 championship because it'll be the "last man standing! "
CHOPARD OFFICIAL TIMING PARTNER
USA fans got to see the Superfast Power Control Porsche 919 HF Edition issued for 2017.
Be Quick! Get one of these Superfast Power Control or any of the remaining Chopard Porsche 919 editions as they will become rarities when Porsche pulls the Endurance Racing team.
Superfast Power Control Porsche 919 HF Edition
As the ONLY WATCH charity auction draws near in November, we would like to remind fans of Chopard's contribution: the Very Special Superfast Control HF signed by "Monsieur Le Mans" -- Jack Ickx.
The successful bidder will also get to meet and spend time with Jacky at the next Grand Prix de Monaco Historique in 2018.
Chopard ONLY WATCH 2017
Good Luck!
Regards,
MTF
