On an evening that always throws up interesting snippets here are the main points, as they emerge, with details to follow later
Porsche confirms a two car full season effort with a revised 919 Hybrid for the full 9 round 2016 FIA WEC
The cars will, of course, carry numbers #1 and #2 in deference to the factory team’s 2015 FIA WEC World Championship win.
Richard Lietz and Michael Christensen return to the WEC with a Proton Competition entered 911 RSR in LM GTE Pro
The car will apparently be entered under the Dempsey Proton Banner.
2015 Driver’s Champ then returns, and Michael Christensen gets a chance to share the Championship.
They’ll be joined at Le Mans by Wolf Henzler.
Kevin Estre is confirmed as a new for 2016 Porsche Factory GT Driver
“Really proud to announce that I am a Porsche Factory driver. It’s where my GT career started and I’m really happy to go back to my 1st love!”
Porsche announce Two additional GTE entries at Le Mans
Two further Le Mans entries will be requested by Porsche.
Patrick Pilet, Kevin Estre & Nick Tandy would share a car. Earl Bamber, Fred Makowiecki and Jorg Bergmeister the other. These are the two Porsche Motorsport North America cars.
IMSA Full Season Pairings Announced
Patrick Pilet and Fred Makowiecki’ successful WEC partnership is broken up with the two Frenchmen getting a Le Mans winner apiece for their 2016 IMSA full season efforts.
Pilet will be joined in the #911 Porsche by Nick Tandy as Patrick aims to retain his 2015 title.
Dalziel Takes 2015 Porsche Sports Trophy
Ryan Dalziel wins the 2015 Porsche Sports Trophy (for the most successful non-factory driver) from Klaus Bachler and Marco Seyfried.
Porsche increase Production run for new 911 GT3R.
“Due to strong response from teams around the world we decided to increase production of 911 GT3 R to 40 cars”.
Full Factory Attack On Nurburgring 24 Hours
Two Manthey entered cars, each with 4 Porsche factory drivers!
Pat Long For Black Swan Daytona Effort
Patrick Long joins full season men Tim Pappas and Nick Catsburg aboard the new Black Swan GTD Porsche GT3R at Daytona.
Patrick Dempsey Dialling it Down?
Meanwhile Marshall Pruett has the most complete answer for the question on the lifts of many. What are the plans of Patrick Dempsey in 2016.
http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/124493-dempsey-to-curtail-racing-activities-in-2016
The Porsche Twitter feed meanwhile announces that Patrick “continues to follow FIA WEC races in 2016 as partner of his team.” Driving not mentioned!
Pat Long for Full Season in Pirelli World Challenge
Pat Long is set to join Effort racing for a full season in Pirelli World Challenge.
Bergmeister Heads East!
Jorge Bergmeister is set to contest several races in the GT300 class of the Japanese Super GT Championship.
