News & Notes Roundup, 9.10

Photo: Adrenal Media/FIA WEC

***IMSA has increased the number of permitted Balance of Performance adjustments made over the course of a season from four to five, following the release of a bulletin on Wednesday, which modifies the TUDOR Championship Supplementary Regulations.

***The change is understood to have been in reaction to the current unrest by some manufacturers with the current GTLM BoP, which had already reached the maximum allowed number of adjustments prior to the change in the regulations.

***It marks the second consecutive year IMSA has adjusted the regulations (which is allowed per the rulebook) to allow for an additional, late-season BoP change.

***There continues to be talk of a possible World Championship for GT manufacturers, and potentially drivers as well, in the FIA WEC next year. It comes on the heels of Ford’s arrival into the series. Currently, a ‘World Cup’ is awarded to the top-placed GT manufacturer.

***The Jota Sport Gibson 015S Nissan, which was penalized post-race from last weekend’s European Le Mans Series race at Paul Ricard for a drive-time infringement, was actually determined to be a software bug by the British team. Filipe Albuquerque exceeded the maximum drive time by 1 minute and 57 seconds.

***Confirmation of the FIA and ACO’s spec 2017 LMP2 engine supplier is expected to be made in the next few weeks. While it’s known that Judd, Gibson and Mecachrome have all submitted tenders, Volkswagen is reportedly in the running as well, despite branding from major manufacturers being prohibited.

***Nissan’s LMP1 program has gone quiet since its withdrawal from the FIA WEC, until further notice. However, Sportscar365 and Endurance-Info understands that a new high-level Nissan manager has been brought into the Indianapolis-based team as part of a reorganization in management.

***No date has been given for Nissan’s return to the FIA WEC, although a recent FIA Endurance Committee meeting confirmed the Japanese manufacturer will miss its home round at Fuji.

***Jonny Adam could lock up the Sunoco Whelen Challenge title this weekend at Donington Park. The Aston Martin factory driver currently leads the UK-based competition ahead of Alexander Sims. The winner will get an all-expense paid ride in next year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona in the Whelen-backed Action Express Racing Corvette DP.

***Graff Racing is expected to take delivery of the first Ligier JS P3 shortly. A test session will be held at Magny-Cours to shake the car down ahead of its debut in the ELMS season finale at Estoril next month.

***To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his first victory at Le Mans, Derek Bell took the wheel of the Rothmans Porsche 956-001 on Wednesday during an event at Woodcote Park. The Porsche 956-009 that Bell and Stefan Bellof took to the World Endurance Championship in 1984 was also on display.

***It’s not impossible to see an Oreca 05 under a different name, as is currently the case with the Alpine A450b-badged Oreca 03R. The French manufacturer told Endurance-Info that it is not against such a change, but is ultimately hinges on a final decision by the Endurance Committee.

***Justin Wilson is being laid to rest today in England. The Englishman, who won the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona and also made starts in the Twelve Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans, died last month due to head injuries sustained in an accident in an IndyCar race.

Laurent Mercier contributed to this report

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