Nürburgring Friday Notebook

Photo: John Dagys

***A number of cars in this weekend’s Six Hours of Nürburgring are carrying decals in memory of Justin Wilson, who died earlier this week. Among the teams to run the Andy Blackmore-designed graphic include Tequila Patron ESM, Strakka Racing, Team SARD-Morand, as well as drivers Mike Conway and Ryan Dalziel, both who competed against the Englishman in the open-wheel ranks.

***Both G-Drive Racing and Tequila Patron ESM are also carrying a decal in memory of Guy Ligier, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 85. The Onroak Automotive-built LMP2 entries bear the name of the former F1 and sports car legend.

***There’s been trouble for Team SARD-Morand this weekend as its Morgan LMP2 was impounded by the local courts late Thursday, following a court order by an unidentified party. The Swiss squad’s entry was returned Friday afternoon, missing FP1, but posting the fourth quickest time of the day in FP2.

***The pair of Toyota TS040 Hybrids are running in low downforce configuration this weekend and are expected to for the remainder of the year. The Japanese manufacturer has shifted its focus towards 2016 development, which will see an all-new car for next year.

***Porsche Team has returned to its traditional liveries for the Nos. 17 and 18 Porsche 919 Hybrids, which ran in primary red and black colors at Le Mans, respectively. The Le Mans-winning No. 19 car is on display at “Ring Boulevard” adjacent to the circuit, with Nico Hulkenberg is also expected to make a visit.

***Tequila Patron ESM is using this weekend’s race as a dry run for the upcoming stretch of overseas events. The team moved out of its European base in England last week and brought mostly shipping containers with them to Germany.

***Patrick Dempsey has had a busy past week in Europe, having driven in the Porsche Supercup race at Spa last weekend prior to a number of media activities throughout the early part of the week.

***Pierre Kaffer told Sportscar365 that he expects to complete the remainder of the season in the Team ByKolles CLM P1/01, including pulling double duty during next month’s Lone Star Le Mans event at Circuit of The Americas, where the Austrian squad is expected to run a third driver.

***Michelin has brought a total of 2,400 tires for its 23 partner teams this weekend.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John