Kiks and Pieris pair up for World Challenge Asia opener
B-Quik Absolute Racing has revealed that Henk Kiks and Eshan Pieris will share its Pro-Am class #26 Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II in the opening round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia season at Buriram. This will be a one-off entry for the duo.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out on track in Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia, a series that will bring the cream of drivers and teams in Asia together on a track that we know very well and in fact we raced here just a week ago so we’re ready, prepared and raring to get stuck in,” said Henk Kiks.
“It’s a pleasure to race with Eshan too, he’s getting faster and faster with every race and we will certainly put in the work and look to spring a surprise.”
IMSA 2024-25 Diverse Driver Development Scholarship field narrowed
The field for the 2024-25 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship programme has been reduced to 10 candidates. The recipient, to be named later this year, will receive benefits worth more than $250,000 to assist them in competing in one of three IMSA-sanctioned series during the 2024 season.
IMSA’s Diverse Driver Development Scholarship is open to female drivers or members of an ethnic minority classification with a strong desire to compete in IMSA, have outstanding previous race results and/or proven on-track potential in junior racing categories, and the ability to create a compelling strategy to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge or IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.
Among the benefits of the scholarship are a full-season premium prepaid entry fee for 2024 in one of those series and 50 per cent of the prepaid entry fee for 2025. Support for the scholarship also comes from IMSA partners Michelin, VP Racing Fuels, OMP, Bell, Recaro and LAT Images.
Over the next few months, the 10 selected candidates will participate in a series of learning modules to bolster their off-track skills and assist them in approaching teams and submitting their final business plans. The recipient of the 2024-25 scholarship will be notified in the fall.
The full list includes Antonio Abrom, Andre Castro, Sabre Cook, Ken Fukuda, Heather Hadley, Bryson Lew, Kyle Loh, Bailey Monette, Brad Perez and Westin Workman.
Ricciardo to drive F1 car on Nordschleife
Australian Grand Prix winner and current Red Bull Racing test driver Daniel Ricciardo is set to drive an F1 car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife as part of the packed programme of events on the NLS’ 12-hour race weekend.
This will be the first F1 demo on the circuit since Michael Schumacher’s run in 2013.
Ricciardo’s run will not be solo, he is set to drive alongside other former F1 drivers who haven’t yet been revealed. Drift and NASCAR shows will also take place during the weekend, adding to the fan-focused activities alongside the racing.
Next stop Le Mans for Garage 56 Nascar
Hendrick Motorsports completed a final two-day test session at Sebring last week ahead of its Garage 56 Le Mans 24 Hours entry with its modified Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
The test was initially held in wet conditions before the sun came out.
“It was really good for us to ride in the rain, sun and at night,” says Nascar Garage 56 project team leader Greg Ives. “It is always difficult to offer the same running time to the four drivers so that they can get an idea of the behaviour of the car. We still have a lot of work to do.”
Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller and Jordan Taylor (reserve driver and coach) took part and worked on various tweaks, including aero and chassis developments. During the running Hendrick mainly used its test mule in order to preserve the main car that will race in France. In total, the two cars have covered nearly 11,000 kilometres since January.
They will now be rebuilt, loaded and shipped to Le Mans.
Images courtesy of Absolute Racing and lemans.org
