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Samantha Tan Racing comfortably proved itself a credible front runner at round two of this year’s GT World Challenge America at NOLA Motorsports Park, despite technical issues striking in th very closing stages of race two.

The ST Racing #38 BMW M4 GT3 secured a hard-earned 4th in-class in the opening race of the Louisiana weekend, and ran comfortably within the top two throughout the second race after determined stints from both Samantha Tan herself and BMW M factory driver John Edwards. A spirited effort to firmly establish the Canadian team’s position as an SRO frontrunner this season.

Solid qulifying runs on ST Racing’s first competitive outing at NOLA Motorsports Park meant Samantha lined up a hard-earned 5th of the PRO/AM runners with a fastest lap of 1m 35.071s. Replicating the pace that secured him outright pole position at the season opener in Sonoma, John Edwards then posted a 1m 33.053s to bank 3rd on the grid for race two.

Deplorable conditions meant the opening 90-minute race was delayed, and when the green flag was finally flown more than two hours late, a wall of rooster tails on the still-wet-dry track meant visibility was close to zero on the run down to turn one.

A mature start meant Samantha was able to avoid trouble in the tricky conditions, with the native Canadian dutifully holding on to 6th in-class across the opening stages. Combatting a wet setup on a rapidly drying racing line, BMW M Motorsport’s latest brand ambassador was able to make her mandatory driver change while still running 10th in Pro-Am. A significant stint as Samantha continues to extract the upmost potential from both herself and the #38 BMW M4 GT3 at the start of only their second season together.

With two late-race safety cars bunching the field up in the closing stages, John Edwards was on scintillating form, quickly working his way up from 10th in PRO/AM to 7th, and, with just 10 minutes of race one remaining, up to 8th overall and 4th in PRO/AM thanks to a number of opportunistic overtakes.

On a noticeably warmer and drier Sunday, John was again on top form during the opening stint of race two, moving up from 3rd on the grid to 2nd on the run down to turn one at the start. Having shadowed the leader across the opening laps, the native Kentuckian even attempted a brave move for the top spot on lap eight. Despite heavy tyre wear and hard-charging competitors behind, John was still running 2nd as he made his mid-race pit stop.

After the pit stop scramble, Samantha found herself shuffled back to 3rd, though the ST Racing namesake was immediately on the back of 2nd placed Mercedes-AMG, and, three laps later, back up to the runners-up spot with a decisive move into turn one. With the safety car called for the final time with less than eight minutes to go, Samantha successfully withstood enormous pressure when the race went green with just three laps remaining. Only a technical issue on the very last lap denied ST Racing a well-earned overall podium.

Despite its late-race misfortune, Samantha Tan Racing is confident that the #38 BMW’s demonstrative pace at NOLA Motorsport Park promises more successful weekends will follow this season in the GT World Challenge.

Samantha Tan, co-owner/driver: “It was a bittersweet weekend for us at NOLA. Qualifying went well, I went much faster than my time in practice and qualified fifth for race one with John qualifying third for race two. Race one was difficult with the tricky conditions and my lack of experience running GT3 in the wet. John had a great recovery drive to finish P4 and bring home some solid points, narrowly missing out on a podium along the way. In race two we started third overall and John put in another great stint. I hopped in the car after a phenomenal pit stop from the crew and drove my heart out, passing the Mercedes for P2 overall and fending off the drivers behind after multiple safety car restarts to hold second place until the last lap. Unfortunately, on turn 5 of the final lap, we had a technical issue that shut the car off and prevented us from seeing the finish line. Overall, we had the pace to compete up front and I’m incredibly proud of the team’s performance this weekend. ”

Kenneth Tan, team principal: “Another disappointing result given the outstanding efforts by the team and drivers. It demonstrated that we have what it takes to win but luck was not on our side this time around. John drove an amazing stint and the crew’s pitstop was on point. I admit I was a bit concerned pitting the car early and putting Samantha in but she drove a hell of a race and on scrubs nonetheless. That was the best I’ve ever seen her drive and I know there is more to come from her. John’s an amazing driver and he’s been a very positive influence on her. We keep pushing and look forward to the next race in COTA in search of that elusive win. I can feel it!”

John Edwards, driver: “It was a hard pill to swallow on Sunday when we had an issue while running second with only a few corners to go. The car was fast, the team executed well on our pit stop, and Sam did an awesome job under pressure with 2 restarts to manage. While it was hugely disappointing to not get the result, it does give us a lot of momentum going into COTA where I’m confident we can get two podiums and maybe even our first win together.”

Jon Miller, team manager: “NOLA was an absolute rollercoaster and ultimately a heartbreaker on the GT3 side. We had a fast, happy race car that the drivers were completely connected to. John Edwards put in another stellar qualifying performance and his drive on Saturday was one for the ages, nearly missing out on the podium, nabbing P4. Sunday’s race will take a few days to get over. John jumped into P2 and handed the car over to Samantha with a fantastic stop by the crew. Our undercut strategy didn’t pan out perfectly – we dropped two spots to the Mercedes behind us, but jumped the Aston that was leading. That’s when Sam showed up in a big way, muscling past the Merc to regain P2 overall. The racing gods were cruel, though, we encountered a technical issue with half of a lap to go. The team is obviously gutted to miss out on the result, but we continue to show our strengths. We’re looking forward to the next opportunity at COTA.”

The #38 BMW M4 GT3 will be back in GT World Challenge America action at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas for round three on 19-21 May. Just a couple of weekends later on 3-4 June, ST Racing heads to Le Castellet in France for round two of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup – the Paul Ricard 1000km – with the ‘ST Racing by Rinaldi’ #38 Ferrari 488 GT3.

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Category: Road Racing

Vaughan, Ontario – Di Benedetto Racing is thrilled to announce their 2023 program with their entry in the FEL Motorsports-sanctioned Sports Car Championship Canada. Justin Di Benedetto ill be at the helm of the new Di Benedetto Racing Gen 2 Audi RS3 LMS, sponsored by NuGen Medical Devices for the full season.

“I am looking forward to building on our strong fourth place finish in the Championship last year,” expressed Justin Di Benedetto. “I think we have the perfect package to be at the pointier end of the field this season and I’m feeling ready to rise to the occasion. This is a great opportunity and I think it will be an exciting season ahead. We gained a lot of valuable experience and knowledge last year, and we’ll be taking all of those lessons and applying them in the upcoming races.”

Last year, Di Benedetto Racing and Justin Di Benedetto had a successful first full season, claiming a win at Calabogie Motorsports Park, along with a second-place finish. The team will be looking to expand on their previous success, and they have full confidence in their ability to deliver this year.

“It’s been a long time coming and we can’t wait to get to work on this car. We know how quick it was last year, so we’re looking forward to developing it and maximizing its performance.” This year, Craig Willis will step in as the lead engineer, but the rest of the team remains unchanged, a testament to the strong and effective level of collaboration the team has established and achieved.

The season will start at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) in May for the Victoria Day Speedfest, then will continue during the famed Honda Indy Toronto. “I am most looking forward to Toronto as I love the track and the ambiance. The fans are always amazing and it’s great to race in front of my friends and family. Racing in front of a home crowd is an indescribable feeling, and I’ll be doing my best to put on a great show for them and bring home a great result.”

The SCCC will then visit the Province of Québec for the historic Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières in August, before wrapping up the final round of the season during the Labour Day Sprints at CTMP.

Di Benedetto Racing will be partnering with NuGen Medical Devices for the 2023 season, “I am looking forward to starting our campaign with NuGen Medical Devices. I hope we can capitalize on the momentum from last season and bring home the title together. I feel very honoured to be partnered with them and I’m confident that we’ll accomplish great things together.”

“We are thrilled to be supporting Di Benedetto Racing and Justin Di Benedetto,” added Richard Buzbuzian, CEO of NuGen Medical Devices. “This is a wonderful opportunity to support a strong, young talent in motorsport. The team is equipped with a very dedicated and hardworking crew, and we’re proud to play a role in their journey. The upcoming season will surely be an exciting one, and we’ll be there to support and encourage them at every step along the way.”

“I am also grateful to be able to count on the support of MetaWorld, Launch Capital, Buzbuzian Capital, Irwin Lowy LLP, Canaccord Genuity – The Polonoski Team, Danavation, Rentex Realty, D&B Chartered Accountants, Humphries Planning Group, Whitecap Canada, Lynwood Asset Management, Hybrid Financial, Caliber Homes, Terra Concrete Forming, MIT Consulting, Adwave, Cormark Securities, Sunset on the Pacific Capital, Garfinkle Bidderman LLP, RevWerks Management, Wrap Werks, Bestline Auto Tech and Antara Marketing International.”

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Category: Road Racing

Indianapolis, Indiana – It’s May in Indianapolis, and that means it’s time to start preparing for your trip to racing’s most-famed venue: Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gates will be open to fans 12 days throughout the action-packed and exhilarating Month of May for practice, qualifying, concerts, race days and more.

“The Month of May at the Racing Capital of the World is full of can’t-miss track activity featuring the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the many time-honored traditions and pageantry our fans love,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Ticket sales are strong, and we’re expecting large crowds again this year as we show the world what it truly means when we say, “This is May.””

As always Race fans are encouraged to “Plan Ahead” through IMS.com/PlanAhead, an interactive web page that serves as a home base for fans headed to the track. The “Plan Ahead” page features detailed information about the entire fan experience at IMS, including directions, parking, schedule, gate regulations, digital ticket guide, ADA accessibility and much more.

Race fans are encouraged to download the IMS App on iOS or Android and use the technology from NTT INDYCAR SERIES title sponsor NTT and its Smart Solutions platform, which will update the IMS App every 30 seconds with wait time information at each gate to allow race fans smoother entry into the facility.

Fans will notice one addition to the safety and security measures in place this year. New security screening detection devices have been added to all pedestrian gates.

“With hundreds of thousands of fans walking through the gates of IMS throughout the Month of May, our goal is to continue to provide a secure, safe and very welcoming environment at IMS, while doing our best to ensure a smooth entry with minimal impact to our fans,” Boles said. “As always, our fans help make this possible by planning ahead and arriving early so they don’t miss any of the pre-race action that takes place long before the green flag waves.”

As fans pass through one of the pedestrian entrances, they will walk through a CEIA OPENGATE® security device. Fans won’t need to empty their pockets or remove items of clothing, simply walking through the gate and enter the facility. Since its introduction in 2021, the CEIA-manufactured OPENGATE system has become the choice for pedestrian entry screening at hundreds of facilities, including professional and collegiate sports facilities and theme parks.

IMS has retained GXC Inc. to place this innovative technology and pair it with an entry process designed for least-encumbered pedestrian movement.

Certain items remain prohibited at IMS, including weapons. In addition, glass containers, bikes, golf carts and illegal drugs also are not allowed. Coolers and bags will be checked for both size and contents at each pedestrian gate. All coolers must be no larger than 18 inches by 14 inches by 14 inches in size. Additional gate regulation information is available at ims.com/gate-regulations.

While the additional screening is a simple process, fans are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to allow time to park and patiently make their way in through the gates. Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. for the GMR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 13 and at 6 a.m. for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28. To check the gate hours for other days in May, visit IMS.com.

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Category: Road Racing

Monaco – The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Monaco this Saturday (6 May) following a record-breaking weekend in Berlin, reigniting a rivalry between two icons of motorsport – Maserati and McLaren – after a 54-year hiatus, and unleashing the GEN3 race car for the first time on the most iconic street circuit in motorsport.

Going into Round 9 and the second half of the 16-race season, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team retains the lead at the top of the Teams’ world championship and the Drivers’ standings with Pascal Wehrlein. But that lead has diminished since their dominant opening to the season with Nick Cassidy (Envision Racing) just four points behind having collected 68 points in the last four races compared to just 20 by Wehrlein.

Both leading drivers face fierce competition from the other 20 drivers at the spiritual home of motorsport where, one year ago, Formula E and the FIA unveiled the GEN3 – the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built. It is the first formula car designed and optimised specifically for street racing, and fans will see ‘Fait Pour Monaco’ banners around the track celebrating the ‘Made For Monaco’ characteristics of the GEN3.

With the GEN3 racing for the first time in Monaco this weekend, it has already delivered against the high expectations of fans as Formula E records have been shattered recently. The most overtakes in a race (190), lead changes at the line (20), and different race leaders (eight) were all achieved in Round 7 in Berlin. The fastest-ever lap in the series was set in Round 5 at the Cape Town E-Prix. Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan Formula E Team) qualified for pole position with an average speed of 154.987km/h, the fastest lap in Formula E history.

While today’s drivers are making history in the GEN3, the upcoming race will also see two iconic motorsport names go head-to-head in Monaco for the first time in 56 years.

Maserati returned to motorsport with Formula E from this season, teaming up with the hometown Monaco Sports Group for a multi-year partnership to form the Maserati MSG Racing team with drivers Edoardo Mortara and Maximilian Günther.

McLaren also joined the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship for the first time this year as NEOM McLaren Formula E Team featuring drivers Jake Hughes and René Rast.

This Saturday, Maserati and McLaren will line up on a grid in Monaco for the first time since the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix in 1969. Monaco was also the circuit where Maserati last secured top-tier single seater silverware even further back in 1957 - a season in which one of the sport's all-time greats, the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, won the last of his five Formula 1 World Championship titles.

Maximilian Günther and Maserati MSG Racing secured a first podium of the season in the last race in Berlin and will surely be looking to emulate the historic achievements of ‘El Maestro’ Fangio this weekend.

FORMULA E IN MONACO

The field will once again race up the hill through Mirabeau and the famous Casino Square, round the Grand Hotel Hairpin and through the Monaco tunnel ahead of the Nouvelle chicane – this year in its traditional configuration.

The streets of the Principality have played host to some of the biggest moments in motor racing history and Formula E has arguably showcased the best of motorsport in Monte Carlo since it switched to the Grand Prix circuit a couple of years ago. Season 6 champion António Félix da Costa claimed victory in Season 7 in one of the most exciting races in the history of Formula E, capping a first outing on the full Monaco circuit with an audacious overtake at the exit of the tunnel on the final lap of the race for the win.

The race saw 28 overtakes between the top six runners alone, with the lead changing six times - including an audacious move at Beau Rivage from Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) on da Costa, before the Portuguese returned the favour on the final lap for the win.

STANDINGS SUMMARY

This season, retaining the title looks to be a distant dream for Stoffel Vandoorne (DS PENSKE). With a best result of just sixth in São Paulo, the Belgian is 74 points from standings leader Wehrlein, the driver he pipped in the Principality last year.

More Monaco magic would soften the blow somewhat but it's Vandoorne’s teammate, Jean-Éric Vergne, who is leading DS PENSKE's efforts and sits 19 points from top spot after another podium last time out in Berlin.

Wehrlein has led the way for Porsche in the standings since Saudi Arabia, with a Diriyah win-double and a Mexico City podium from the opening eight rounds. It's been a quieter spell recently, though, with Nick Cassidy in the Envision Racing-run Jaguar I-TYPE 6 the driver in form. After a win in Berlin, the Kiwi is just four points behind.

It's now four podiums and a win for Cassidy since Wehrlein last lifted a trophy. DS PENSKE's double champion Vergne is now third having steered to a textbook defensive victory in Hyderabad and finished a close second in Cape Town. He added silverware in Berlin and will be looking to apply further pressure in Monaco where he won back in 2019.

Jaguar's I-TYPE 6 has looked like the car to beat since Hyderabad. Cassidy has led the charge for customers Envision Racing who sit just behind the German manufacturer in the standings, while the factory Jaguar TCS Racing team finally capitalised on its race-winning pace and energy management for a one-three result in São Paulo as Mitch Evans and teammate Sam Bird took to the podium.

Evans was 42 points away in the Drivers' table heading to Berlin but a stunning maiden one-two in the German capital helped fire Round 7 winner Evans to within 24 points of the top.

MID-SEASON REVIEW: INTENSE COMPETITION

Season 9 is now 50% complete. The first eight races have seen six different winners from five different teams with only TAG Heuer Porsche steering both drivers to the top step. A total of 10 drivers have finished on the podium and every full-time driver has scored a point, while only one driver - Norman Nato (Nissan) - has yet to make the Duels in qualifying.

Some 18 drivers have led a lap so far in 2022/23 - a Formula E record - with every team managing to lead a race for at least a lap. The Jaguar-powered teams have led the most laps - Jaguar TCS Racing’s 65 to Envision Racing's 64 - but neither lead the Teams’ world championship.

Pascal Wehrlein leads the championship heading to Monte Carlo but now just by four points; the closest it has been since he took the lead after winning race two in Diriyah. One pattern has emerged: the six drivers to win this season form the top six in the Drivers' standings.

Berlin saw records smashed for lead changes and race leaders. Prior to the double-header in the German capital, the record number of lead changes – when recorded at the start-finish line – was eight, at Rome 2021, with the most different leaders in a single race being six, not seen since the days of GEN1 car changes in Miami in Season 1 and Putrajaya Season 2.

By contrast, Round 7 from Berlin saw eight different leaders exchange top spot some 20 times in 43 laps, and Round 8 saw seven exchange P1 16 times. Not a single retirement in Berlin either, for the fourth time - Tempelhof is the only circuit to see every driver finish a race.

MONACO MAESTROS

The impressive list of former winners on the Monaco streets includes Fangio, Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, who won six times here, including a record five in a row.

“Monaco is Monaco, it’s just magic,” says Jean-Éric Vergne (DS PENSKE). Vergne is one of four drivers on the grid to have taken the chequered flag first in Formula E around Monte Carlo’s hallowed harbourfront, with a lights-to-flag masterclass on his way to Drivers’ championship number two back in 2018/19.

Sébastien Buemi (Envision Racing) is a double winner - the only driver to do so in Formula E - and the Swiss is hoping to stake a definitive claim to the “Electric Mr Monaco” moniker.

Da Costa's win in Season 7 was unforgettable, and he has the potential to repeat in Season 9 driving the Teams' table-topping Porsche 99X Electric.

THE FULL, TRADITIONAL MONACO CIRCUIT

For the 2022 Monaco E-Prix, the amended Nouvelle chicane made way for the full, traditional circuit layout around the Principality’s harbourfront and the same instantly-recognisable track - which has barely changed in layout in almost a century since its first running in 1929 - is in play for GEN3.

The 19-turn, 3.337 km track will see the all-electric cars climb the hill at Sainte Devote and travel through the iconic Casino Square, Mirabeau, Grand Hotel Hairpin and of course, the tunnel.

WHEN TO WATCH

Action gets underway with Free Practice 1 on Saturday from 07:30 CEST (Central European Summer Time), with Free Practice 2 from 09:10 CEST. Qualifying follows at 10:40 CEST and Round 9 starts at 15:00 CEST.

Follow LIVE!

Follow the action on-track as it happens in the brand new Race Centre. Keep across Live Timing – which includes a real-time interactive track map and the ability to follow your favourite driver during every session of every E-Prix.

There's also exclusive extended highlights, detailed session reports, interviews, all the standings and results as well as data, insight and reaction from trackside.

WAYS TO WATCH

Find out how to follow the action live in every country by visiting: fiaformulae.com/en/ways-to-watch

CANADA: TVA Sports and TSN 5 will show the race action from Monaco in French and English, respectively.