Le Mans – 24 Heures” 2017 in chiaroscuro per Scuderia Corsa/ Con podio Ferrari n.62, mentre trio Alex BALZAN su GTE #65 solo ‘flag in 14th’
Mitica 24 Ore di Le Mans, Sempre e comunque, al di là dei tanti problemi che hanno ‘frenato’ la Ferrari 488 GTE #65 del trio Alexssandro Balzan, Christina Nielsen e Bret Curtis.
Così per la Ferrari Scuderia Corsa di Mattioli quesat volta le maggiori soddisfazioni sono arrivate dal podio conquistato dal trio “Bill Sweedler and Townsend Bell their third podium in succession, with new teammate Cooper MacNeil” su Ferrari 488 GTE #62.
Però stiamo parlando della mitica “24 Ore di Le Mans” e allora , oltre al consueto reportage in sequenza News ufficiali by sito organizzativo dell’Evento e by www.races.ferrari.com e www.scuderiacorsa.com, vi premettiamo il personale pensiero diretto del pilota polesano Alessandro Balzan, tra impatto Le Mans, aspirazioni e consuntivo su quanto successo nelle 24 ore francesi tra circuito-gara e dintorni …meccanici al lavoro..
BALZAN ‘PRIMO APPROCCIO’ AL CIRCUITO / Alessandro Balzan & Circuit des 24 Heures.. Le Mans, Pays de la Loire, Francia ) / •
<< Più tempo passo qui a Le Mans e più capisco perché è speciale....ma due cose mi hanno colpito, il numero dei tifosi e il lavoro pauroso dei commissari e degli addetti all' organizzazione..un grazie prima di iniziare le prove libere, oggi dalle 16 alle 20 e poi le prime qualifiche dalle 22 a mezzanotte ci sta!>>
BALZAN “PRIMO GIRO” SUL CIRCUITO ( 16.06.2017)/ / .
<<Giornata da dimenticare ieri! Purtroppo ho fatto solo un giro e non ho potuto spingere come avrei voluto, gara in salita, partiremo ultimi ma la gara è lunga! Un immenso grazie a Scuderia Corsa per il lavoro "disumano"! >>
BALZAN “PENSIERINO” FINE GARA (19.06.2017 /
<< Le Mans 2017, esperienza indimenticabile! >>
E adesso ecco tutto il REPORTAGE, comprese aspettative e commenti ufficiali by Ferrari & Scuderia Corsa.
FIRST ANTEPRIMA MAIN NEWS ( by www.races.ferrari.com , 11 giugno 2017( 24 Ore di Le Mans – Alla scoperta della Ferrari 488 GTE #65 del team Scuderia Corsa)
Maranello, 11 giugno 2017 – Ferrari.com vi porta alla scoperta degli equipaggi dei clienti della Casa del Cavallino Rampante iscritti alla prossima 24 Ore di Le Mans. Conosciamo più da vicino la Scuderia Corsa e il suo equipaggio. Si tratta di una vettura molto speciale, perché la vettura numero 65 è quella di Christina Nielsen e Alessandro Balzan, i campioni IMSA in classe GTD.
Il team. La Scuderia Corsa è stata fondata nel 2013 da parte di Giacomo Mattioli e Art Zafiropoulo per assecondare le esigenze dei clienti Ferrari che intendono guidare anche in pista le vetture di Maranello. Il team partecipa al Ferrari Challenge North America, al Pirelli World Challenge e all’IMSA SportsCar Championship, dove è, appunto, campione in carica della classe GTD con Alessandro Balzan e Christina Nielsen.
Balzan. È uno dei piloti italiani GT più vincenti. Nato a Rovigo il 17 ottobre 1980, ha intuito quasi subito dopo il karting che c’era spazio per emergere soprattutto a ruote coperte. Nel 2001 ha vinto la Clio Cup Winter Series mentre l’anno seguente si è imposto nel monomarca dedicato all’Alfa Romeo 147. Dopo aver corso nei campionati Turismo è approdato al GT dominando per tre volte il monomarca italiano Porsche e diventando nel 2012 campione del Ferrari Challenge Europe, Nel 2013 ha conquistato con la Ferrari della Scuderia Corsa il campionato Grand-Am mentre nel 2016 ha coadiuvato Christina Nielsen nella conquista del titolo IMSA in classe GTD con la 488 GT3 di Scuderia Corsa. È alla sua prima 24 Ore di Le Mans.
Curtis. Bret Curtis è un pilota statunitense classe 1966 che ha iniziato a gareggiare ad alto livello a ruote coperte nel 2009. Da allora ha ottenuto risultati sempre più interessanti che lo hanno portato a debuttare alla 24 Ore di Le Mans nel 2014. Nel 2017 debutta nella classica maratona francese al volante di una Ferrari. In questa stessa stagione ha preso parte anche al Ferrari Challenge North America con la nuova 488 Challenge da oltre 650 cavalli di potenza.
Nielsen. Christina Nielsen è stata la 58esima donna a prender parte alla 24 Ore di Le Mans quando vi ha partecipato per la prima volta nel 2016. È figlia d’arte, papà Lars-Erik corse cinque volte la classica francese, ma Christina arriva alla gara dopo aver vinto un titolo di grande importanza, quello IMSA nella classe GTD insieme ad Alessandro Balzan. Ha appena dato alle stampe un’autobiografia, ma già sogna di doverla riscrivere per raccontare di un nuovo, ulteriore, grandioso risultato.
SECONDA ANTEPRIMA NEWS ( by www.scuderiacorsa.com , June 11, 2017) / Winning Weekend in Montreal Ferrari Challenge Sets Le Mans Momentum for Scuderia Corsa
MONTREAL, QC, Canada (June 11, 2017) – Competing in front of a large International crowd at the famed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the lone event run in conjunction with this weekend’s FIA Formula One World Championship, Scuderia Corsa would not disappoint in their efforts to present a first-class experience. Bringing 11 cars to this invitation-only event, the team would enjoy tremendous success both on and off the track, with an overall win, a total of five podiums and one Coppa Team highlighting a weekend that truly integrated Ferrari’s racing heritage.
Sharing the same pit lane with F1 teams, being supported by Ferrari fans from all over the world while driving before their Formula One driving heroes, is an experience that every Ferrari driver dreams; and much looking forward every year in Montreal. The opportunity to spend time with F1 Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene and drivers Sebastien Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen during the traditional Saturday evening cocktail reception as well as Ferrari VIP Hospitality complemented the top notch Ferrari experience and atmosphere.
On track, the team enjoyed strong success during both rounds of the weekend. Long-time team member Martin Fuentes would bring home an overall victory in his Ferrari 488 Challenge during Saturday’s Round One, with Scuderia Corsa also earning a team victory in the Coppa Shell category. Additionally, Fuentes would be joined by Bret Curtis on the podium in Race One, with Karl Williams and Oscar Paredes-Arroyo also taking a class podium during Race Two. Meanwhile drivers Alistair Garnett, Cooper MacNeil, Chris Carel, Mark Fuller, Jim Camp, Mike Heagerty and Lisa Clark would all enjoy a performing weekend.
“The Ferrari Challenge event at Montreal is always one-of-a-kind,” stated Scuderia Corsa team owner Giacomo Mattioli. “We really enjoy the opportunity to support the Formula One weekend. For our drivers and clients to get such an unrivaled look at Ferrari’s DNA, especially during this 70th anniversary, is something that we all are proud to be a part of. Taking a victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a name synonymous with Ferrari, only made the weekend more special.
“Now our focus turns to the other crown jewel, Le Mans!” continued Mattioli. “We are honored to represent Ferrari North America at the renowned classic endurance: this will be a year unlike any other, with not only two cars but coming in as the defending champions. It’s something we’re well prepared for and it would be sensational bringing home another victory, especially during the 70th anniversary for Ferrari!”
The team is now just days away from the start of practice and qualifying for the world’s most prestigious sportscar race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2017, the Ferrari 488 GTE will compete for the first-time in class, with defending winners Bill Sweedler and Townsend Bell being joined by Cooper MacNeil in the No. 62 Ferrari, while the No. 65 Ferrari will be driven by IMSA defending champions Christina Nielsen and Alessandro Balzan, as well as Bret Curtis.
Most of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be broadcast live, while the entirety of the race will be streamed live on the FOX Sports Go stream.
PRIMA MAIN NEWS ( by www.lemans.org, 14.06.2017) / Alessandro Balzan (Ferrari) Makes Le Mans Debut as IMSA Champion Alessandro Balzan is a Le Mans rookie, but also the reigning IMSA GT Daytona Champion
Italians are known for wearing their emotions on their sleeve and Alessandro Balzan is no exception. He has been grinning from ear-to-ear since arriving in Le Mans for his first attempt at the legendary endurance race.
“For sure, you cannot keep calm at an event like this,” Balzan beemed. “This event is a dream from when I started racing. I’m so happy to be here. I have new energy. My batteries are fully loaded!”
I’m so happy to be here. I have new energy. My batteries are fully loaded!
A. Balzan
Balzan is sharing the No. 65 Ferrari 488 GTE with Christina Nielsen and Bret Curtis in the LMGTE AM category. He shares a similar Ferrari with Nielsen in the IMSA Championship. The two are the reigning GT Daytona class champions and Balzan was the 2013 GRAND-AM GT Champion, driving a Ferrari 458 GT3.
This isn’t just the first time Balzan has raced at Le Mans, it’s the first time he’s been to the event, period.
“I never came to watch Le Mans,” Balzan confessed. “I said to myself ‘if you’re going to Le Mans, you’re going there to drive,’ so that was my promise.”
Now that he’s here, he’s finding the advice from his teammates, who each have one Le Mans under their belts, not very helpful.
“They told me it would be very cold and wet,” Balzan said. “I got here and I said ‘guys, I feel like I’m in Africa right now! It’s be better you told me about the heat!’”
You can’t blame Nielsen and Curtis though, indeed temperatures have been unseasonably warm this week, with highs in the 30’s C (80 F) and without the threat of rain.
Some advice that is definitely coming into play for Balzan is about traffic.
“They’ve been great with advice on traffic,” he said of Nielsen and Curtis. “This year, the LMP2 cars are really quick. We are looking in the mirrors, maybe 30 times per lap. You are focused as much on not being a problem as you are about pushing the car to the limit.”
There are many familiar faces from the IMSA Championship at Le Mans and Balzan believes that is an advantage, whether they are friend or foe.
“It’s great to know all the other opponents,” he said. “Some are even in the second Scuderia Corsa car; Bill (Sweedler) and Townsend (Bell) won Le Mans last year. It’s great to have that car in our box. I can learn a lot of things from them. It’s nice also to know who you are fighting with and what you can expect.”
Of all the expectations Balzan had coming into his Le Mans debut, there is one that has already been exceeded: the fans.
“Already, to see the fans so excited…this is passion,” he said. “In the U.S., the racing passion is great, but here is something new for me. I’ve never seen something like this. I’ve never seen the fans so excited. I’m really looking forward to Friday for the parade!”
If you’re at the drivers’ parade in Le Mans on Friday at 17h30, make sure to give Balzan a shout!
SECONDA & LAST NEWS POST EVENTO ( by www.scuderiacorsa.com, June 18, 2017 ) / THIRD CONSECUTIVE 24 HOURS PODIUM FOR SCUDERIA CORSA… ( E CHRISTINA NIELSEN, BRET CURTIS, ALESSANDRO BALZAN …FLAG IN 14TH )
LE MANS, France (June 18, 2017) –Competing on the largest stage in international sportscar racing, Scuderia Corsa would continue their 100% podium rate at th
e famed 24 Hours of Le Mans with a third-place in class during today’s running. Persevering through constant obstacles inherent in the event, a combination of strong driving, teamwork, and strategy would earn drivers Bill Sweedler and Townsend Bell their third podium in succession, with new teammate Cooper MacNeil taking his first. In addition, a hard fought effort by the team would also see Christina Nielsen, Bret Curtis and Alessandro Balzan finishing the 24 hours and taking the checkered flag in 14th.
With the 70th anniversary of Ferrari adding to the mystique of the 2017 race, the team would bring two Ferrari 488 GTE entries for the first time in team history. After two consecutive podiums in two attempts, the team would arrive as the defending champions with a commitment to continue the trend.
For the No. 62 WeatherTech Ferrari 488 GTE, a strong opening would see the team lead early, with all three drivers taking on triple-stints, meaning racing at top speeds for nearly three hours at a time.
Sitting within the top-four throughout much of the night, Cooper MacNeil would gain three positions to third as the sun rose, with Sweedler and Bell managing the final hours to ensure their position as part of an all-Ferrari podium.
In the No. 65 entry, an up-and-down event would highlight everyone’s resolve to push through adversity. Throughout the
race, the team would overcome a mix of challenging situations, which included starting from the back after a problematic qualifying session, a mid-race tire puncture, and ended with the crew working tirelessly to make late-race repairs after contact, ensuring the car would go back on track for the final minutes in order to finish.
For Cooper MacNeil, a podium effort was the result of complete execution.
“Everybody executed what they had to do, and everybody delivered,” stated MacNeil. “The drivers delivered, couldn’t make any mistakes or put a wheel off or hit anybody. That’s the key to endurance racing is just to stay out of trouble and keep turning laps. Bill was killing it, putting it on the podium three years in a row, and Townsend was flying out there with the pace of anybody. Everybody delivered, it was fantastic prep of the car, and hats off to Scuderia Corsa for everything they did. The team delivered, the drivers delivered, and we’re on the podium.”
“Two third-place finishes and a win, I don’t know what to say,” stated Sweedler. “Scuderia Corsa has come through again, WeatherTech is an amazing sponsor this year, and just the whole team. I can’t thank everyone enough.”
For Townsend Bell, walking away with his third trophy in as many years is an amazing team accomplishment.
“It was a great day,” stated Bell. “The WeatherTech Ferrari was just terrific. We’re under a lucky star here in France. Three years, three podiums, all with Ferrari. The third year is even sweeter because you know how hard it is. I’m exhausted, but thrilled at the same time, especially for Cooper MacNeil. He’s been here several times so to have his first podium, just seeing the smile on his face when I first saw him, that makes it all worthwhile.”
For Giacomo Mattioli, satisfaction comes from another podium.
“I’m very happy and proud of the team,” stated Mattioli. “After last year’s win, we were aiming for the third podium in a row, which is really remarkable. The drivers did a great job, and they performed flawlessly. They didn’t make any mistakes, and that’s really what made it happen. The crew did a fantastic job like last year, and every pit stop was like clockwork. The car was very quick and reliable, and it was a real team effort and I’m really glad we delivered for WeatherTech. Unfortunately the challenges for the No. 65 reminded us of just how challenging this event can be. This is part of the racing experience the we must not forget. I’m proud of what the No. 65 drivers and crew accomplished to finish Le Mans.”
EXTRATIME by SS/ In cover Alessandro Balzan nei giorni del suo primo approccio a Le Mans , al tavolo degli autografi, primus inter pares-trio con Christina Mielsen e Bret Curtis di cui proponiamo subito il flash smile poster.
Poi in fotogallery partiamo dalla Ferrari n.65 in azione tra prove-corsa e meccanici, mentre dal post evento “24 Ore di Le Mans” proponiamo in tuta grigia il noto trio ( vedi anche nomi sulla tuta) targato Scuderia Corsa e soddisfatto sul podio.
Con riferimento poi alla Ferrari n.65 del trio Balzan, Nielsen, Curtis vi proponiamo alcuni flash postati anche da Alex sul suo profilo face book e che mostrano la sua Ferrari 488 GTE impegnata ancora con i meccanici ai box e in pit stop prima di essere ancora protagonista in gara e sul …cordolo.
Ma poiché lo stesso Alessandro Balzan ha postato “ Le Mans 2017, esperienza indimenticabile! “ , ecco che come flash dulcis in fundo lo riproponiamo in versione trio-poster al tavolo degli autografi, sperando di vederlo meno bersagliato dalla sfortuna nel suo prossimo appuntamento internazionale.
Sergio Sottovia
www.polesinesport.it
