COTA IWSC Thursday Notebook

Photo: John Dagys

***Giancarlo Fisichella has been placed on probation for the next two races following his post-race actions in the last round at VIR. The Risi Competizione driver was turned around by the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR of Earl Bamber on the final lap, while battling for third in the GT Le Mans class, and had made contact with Bamber’s Porsche after the checkered flag.

***Acura is expected to formally announce its NSX GT3 programs for both the WeatherTech Championship and Pirelli World Challenge tomorrow, during dual press conferences scheduled at COTA and Sonoma Raceway at 1:15 p.m. ET. Michael Shank Racing (IMSA) and RealTime Racing (PWC) are set to each field two cars in the respective championships.

***Drivers for the two factory backed programs are not expected to be revealed, although it’s understood that the majority of the lineups are already in place for both efforts.

***The No. 55 Mazda Prototype of Jonathan Bomarito suffered a bizarre brake master cylinder failure in opening practice, which kept the brakes deployed and the car immovable. It took more than 20 minutes to get the car off the track. Bomarito and Tristan Nunez returned to action in Practice 2.

***Paolo Ruberti has been a late addition to the No. 27 Dream Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3, replacing Larry DeGeorge alongside full-season co-driver Cedric Sbirrazzuoli. The Italian ace makes his first start with the team since Sebring.

***Kevin Estre will miss next month’s Petit Le Mans due to a clash with the ADAC GT Masters season finale at Hockenheim. The Frenchman, who was announced as the endurance driver in Porsche North America’s lineup, currently sits fifth in the German GT3 championship.

Yesterday's first run @ 90.6mph. I ended the day at 98.8mph. The video does not do this event justice. More to come! pic.twitter.com/BFGwMmGdBk

— Andy Lally (@AndyLally) September 11, 2016

***Andy Lally attempted to break a Guinness World Record in street luge last weekend in Quebec City, reaching 98.8 mph in a downhill track that featured an 18 percent grade slope.

***Continental Tire has brought more than 2,700 tires to COTA to accommodate both the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge races.

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