The final running of the American Le Mans Series at Petit Le Mans put on a show that will be talked about for years. The event was especially memorable for Team Falken Tire, not only clinching the final ALMS GT class win, but beating the factory teams in the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which two months previously was on display in the Walker Racing shop.
Before the official practice sessions began at Road Atlanta, many of
the ALMS teams arrived a few days early to get some additional testing in. For
Falken, this additional testing was crucial to a strong performance in the days
to follow. The team was running a 2010
Porsche with 2012 aero regulations, and worked hard to find the best set up to
run for the final event of the year.
After completing a long stint, Bryan came down the pit box rig to join Yoshi
and Rick, watching the data on the screens.
At Circuit of the Americas, Bryan and Wolf took ownership of two bikes
for transportation around the track between sessions. Someone felt the bikes
needed a little bling, so pink, yellow and blue ribbons were tied to the seats
and handlebars.
At the beginning of the week, the racing world woke up to the news of
the tragic loss of racer Sean Edwards. With heavy hearts, drivers and teams all
across the paddock showed their support with various decals.
Nick Tandy first raced with Falken Tire at the beginning of the 2013 season for the 12 Hours of Sebring, celebrating a 3rd place finish with Bryan and Wolf. The team was happy to have him back for Petit Le Mans, again gracing the podium.
All serious faces in pit lane as the test sessions continue on.
One popular talking point of the new livery was her new teeth, earning
her a variety of nicknames from the fans.
Artie and Nick waiting for the 17 Porsche to pit during practice.
Thursday at Petit Le Mans is always a long day. The teams wake up early
for morning practice then stay late with night practice. Luckily, our friends
at Robust Energy (@FeelRobust) dropped by with energy drinks for the drivers
and crew.
Before night practice, each car needs to have the lights calibrated
properly for the night racing.
Besim, Mo, Mike, Lee and Artie making the final preparations on the Porsche before practice. Under the management of Derrick Walker, this team worked hard to get the 17 Porsche race ready. The Petit Le Mans win wouldn’t be possible without all their hard work!
Bryan and Team Manager Derrick Walker reviewing the latest data before
Bryan gets in his required stint for night practice.
No matter where a team member is standing in the pit box, they have
easy access to the data and TV feeds, even when waiting to jump over the wall
and begin a stint.
Even though the first night session of the week is just a practice, it
is the only one before the race. The team stays serious and focused, treating
each practice pit stop as if it were during green flag racing.
Each day of official practice brought rain, allowing the Falken Porsche
to have a little fun with her wet tires at the top of the charts. Hours later,
the track would dry out, forcing teams to switch back to slick tires. The
varying conditions allowed for teams to try various set ups and prepare for the
race on Saturday.
Last year at Petit Le Mans, our friends at HPI Racing (@Officialhpi)
debuted the Falken Tire RC car, exactly matching the iconic Falken Tire livery.
This year, they surprised us with an RC car that matched the fan-designed
livery.
After visiting Porsche hospitality, the drivers stopped by for a
question and answer session at the Porscheplatz. Members of the Porsche Club of
America had a great view of turns 10a and 10b.
Race day means Falken Spokesmodels!
Juliana (@JulianaDaniell) and Katie (#twitterlesskatie) were on hand on
the big day to sign autographs, take photos and support the team.
Wolf, Nick and Bryan debrief after the final warm up session. After a year of testing, the moment finally
arrived for the team to lay it all on the line.
On the pre-race grid with Katie and Juliana before it opened up to the
fans. The weather hasn’t ideal, but the Spokesmodels were troopers and posed with
fans for the hour.
Fans of all ages came out to meet the drivers and see the new livery at
the fan walk.
Every race, the team keeps a steady eye on the weather radar. The first
few hours of Petit Le Mans were hampered with inconsistent weather conditions
causing yellow flags and changing up each team’s pit stop strategy.
Wolf was next on the scene to congratulate Nick.
Mike (@MikeZa88) was the first crew member to reach the Porsche,
thrilled that the gold tooth survived all ten hours.
While waiting for the podium ceremonies, Scott Atherton came over to
personally commend the Falken Tire drivers on a job well done.
A podium well earned by everyone at Team Falken Tire!
For the fans: Keep following the team on twitter at @FalkenALMS because
we have a fresh batch of signed posters to give away!
Fan Photos
Pit stop for the Falken Tire Porsche, and Anthony (@atflorio) was
cheering us on from the east coast.
Mike (@avsfan26) posted this shot of Wolf behind the wheel, leading as the sun
set.
Nothing like a victory interview! Peter (@BaronVonClutch) was watching and
cheering us on from the west coast.
Caleb (@calebbox) brought his son by to see the new livery on the Porsche at
the pre-race Fan Walk.
The exit of turn 10B seemed to be a popular place for fan photos!
Another shot by Caleb (@calebbox).
Eric (@Cyanbane) caught the team performing our top priority: polishing
the good tooth.
Eric’s (@Cyanbane) daughter Ava was a big Falken Fanatic, and stopped
by several times during the weekend to say hello to the drivers and the
car. Thanks for the support, Ava!
Danny (IG: dantangfoto) stood behind the Falken Tire pit box as the post-race
celebratory fireworks lit the sky.
Nothing like watching the Falken Porsche charge through the darkness!
Photo by (@DavidWillsATL).
Doug (@DeltaGolfSierra) stopped by the paddock to see the new livery.
Hope you liked it, Doug!
Dana (@DriverAppear) was there to watch the Falken Tire rig pull out
the next day.
Shane (@engShane) tweeted this picture to us as the sun set on the
final ALMS race.
Evin (@EvinPrelec) opened up the Atlanta Constitution newspaper to see
Atlanta’s own Bryan Sellers and the team made it into the paper.
AJ (@fireba11) stopped by to check out the Katie, Juliana and the Falken
Porsche on the pre-race fan walk.
AJ (fireba11) sent this photo of the Falken Porsche in her element.
The Go Puck (@gopuckbattery) ladies stopped by on the fan walk for a
photo with our Falken Ladies, Katie Carnes, Kelly (@K2theBru) and Juliana (@JulianaDaniell)
to wish us good luck and give us mobile freedom!
From Allan (@Grand_AmFan99), the Falken Porsche roaring down the
straight.
A Falken Tire pit stop captured by Allan (@Grand_AmFan99).
Trevor at High Revs Photography (@HighRevsPhoto) captured this great shot of the Falken Porsche showing off in the rain.
Robert (@Hutch_USA) was on hand to catch the victory celebrations at
the podium.
Robert (@Hutch_USA) also stopped by the tire rig to see the to-be race
winning tires!
Just in time for Petit Le Mans, TC (@iowa_bb61) tweeted us a picture of
the wheel he won at the Austin Hatcher auction Falken participated in at Road
America. Table looks great, TC!
Jason (@JasonZais) couldn’t be at the race, but he showed his support
at home. Thanks, Jason!
While we were racing at Road Atlanta, Bill (@jaxhockey) raced with us in
spirit, doing some SCCA autocross on his Falkens.
Atlanta local Josh (@jbank003) sent in this photo of the Falken Porsche
looking speedy!
Not exactly a Team Falken photo but Justin (@jblakem1) tweeted us this
pic of the track from the air. Who knows, maybe you can see the Porsche from
here….
Justin (@jblakem1) was also the winner of a Vitesse ride, courtesy of Porsche.
All season long, Porsche (@Porsche) has given us so many Vitesse rides to
giveaway to our twitter followers.
Past the halfway point, Jesse (@jeriley) tweeted us this photo of the
Falken Porsche leading the Viper.
Jesse (@jeriley) also stopped by on the grid to get a photo with Wolf on the
pre-race grid.
JP (JHamilton), a member of the 10 Tenths motorsports forum posted this
beautiful photo of the Porsche.
Falken’s own Joyce (@joycelex) was at the podium to celebrate with the team on
a hard-earned victory.
Pre-race Joyce (@joycelex) tweeted this pic of the team lined up during
the pre-race ceremonies. Left to right: Juliana (@JulianaDaniell), Mike (@MikeZa88),
Kelly (@K2theBru), Alex, Artie, Brad, Sebastian and Katie.
Kellie (@kellieq123) was on hand to support the team and tweeted this
post-race photo of the battered but race-winning smile of the Falken Porsche.
Kellie (@kellieq123) also made it to the podium to celebrate with the
drivers on the victory podium.
She might be missing a few teeth, but as shown by Karl (@Koolkarl19),
our lady came out grinning!
Kyle (@kyle_keesling) tweeted support from his Falken filled man cave.
Looks great!
Falken Tire takes the checker flag in first! Thanks Kyle (@KyleGibbyGibson)
for the photo.
There’s nothing like cold champagne down your back, celebrating on the
top step. Thanks (@lainey_vb131) for a photo.
Falken Frenzy, Sharknado, the Toothinator, you name it. Fans like Marco
(@mar_B_ond) were showing their support for the new livery!
Kyle (Mechanic Z) sent us this photo on 10 Tenths Motorsport Forum of
the Falken Porsche being towed back to the garage victorious.
We’re pretty sure Michael (@michaellgoodwin) was a fan of the teeth.
Michael (@michaellgoodwin) stopped by as the team had her dentures out.
One of our most supportive Canadian fans (@MikeyP155), was thrilled to
see the Falken Porsche leading, gold tooth and all.
Race over and back inside the rig, team member Mike (@MikeZa88) posted this
picture with the winning trophies.
Moni (@Monielysium) loved taking shots of the new livery all weekend long.
Thanks for the shots, Moni!
Performance Prime (@PerformPrime), always a fan of the Falken Spokesmodels.
Dave (@PorscheDave09) tweeted his support with the shot of this beauty.
Dave (@PorscheDave09) snapped this shot of the Porsche being chased by
the Ferrari and the Corvette as she roared down the front straight.
Brian (@rax262) called our Porsche “some sort of automotive Bond
villain” with her hold tooth.
Brian (@rax262) picked up the 2013 poster to add to his collection.
Our own Rick (@RickMahurin) tweeted this photo of the Forza Motorsport
Livery in the game. The final result was pretty close to the original design.
The Porsche heading into turn 7 at Road Atlanta, by Sang (@SangBehr).
As he cleared the grid, Sang (@SangBehr) stopped by for a quick photo in the
Falken pit.
Cindy (@skinkyL0u) stood behind the Falken pits in the final moments, as the team watched Nick take the white flag, then the win.
Jeff (@spyboy1) created this tribute for Team Falken after the win.
Thanks Jeff!
Ben (@TheBenWedge) told the team if Falken won, he’d buy some winter
Falken Tires, and sure enough, in the days to follow, he held up his end of the
bargain!
Katie (@YourRacingBelle) caught our Porsche mid-pass on a GTC Porsche.
Last but not least, Zach’s (@Zach23Czerniak) photo of the Falken Tire
fan designed livery on the grid.
Next Up
Next, Wolf and Bryan will be at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas with the
Petit winning Porsche on display. The car will remain in her post-race
condition. Follow on twitter.com/FalkenALMS for autograph session times and
driver appearances.