LADIES WORLDS AT JPVR FAREWELL RACE?  Herentals (B),  Dec 28, 2008

A definitive farewell, but with style and in the best Burgundian tradition

May 1, 2008 - December 28 will be the date of my real last oorganised international race.  On thinking on it I realised at once that one of the goals I set for myself in 1982 was to organise a World Championship for Ladies. I never found the time to do it. What a shame! So I decided to organise such race at my Farewell Meeting. Male racers always believe that there are no good female racers. That's a big mistake. In the 1980s Corinna Gianotti beat several times the best male racers of her generation. In the 1990s Connie Aloise gave the best American wing car racers several times a clear beat in G27. And in the 2000s Caroline Schnitzler was the best out of 120 racers at the 2007 DPM. This year she did the same by winning the DKPM.
After most racers disagreed racing classy 1964 TdF cars, I asked Fola Osu to assemble 16 equal 1/24th 2008 Le Mans cars: 8 in LMP1 for 16 former world champions and 8 in LMP2 for 16 extremely competitive ladies. They'll be all 16 mounted on the same PlaFit SLP chassis, will be all 16 equipped with the same new PS4000-IMCA motor, and will all 16 be mounted on the same tyres.
I propose 4 sprint-races of 8 x 5 minutes with 2 or 3 drivers per car. Those 4 races will decide upon the 8 women who'll be qualified for the main 8 x 5 minutes final of the Ladies World Championship.
Of course I wish to finish my career as organiser of international races with style, in the best Burgundian tradition. That implies that I'll contact the best Belgian domestic caterer to care for a prima breakfast and for excellent buffets with lobsters, oysters, caviar, shrimps, and the best French wines and champagne.  Before the last warm-up race we all'll take a break to be present in evening dressing (ladies) and tuxedo (males) for the last warm-up race, the evening dinner and the main final of the Ladies Worlds.
The race will be organised on December 28, 2008 at IMCA's Race Centre in Herentals (Belgium): Nieuwstraat 31. There will be no entry fee to pay. Each invited entrant can show with one partner. No other persons than the invited ones and their partner can show at the meeting, since we have only room for 72 persons. More info: + 32 498 11 57 82. [JPVR]

On racer's request: not with classy 1964 TdF cars but with postmodern 2008 LMS cars...
Should it be impossible to bring the best female racers of the world around the same track, their LMP2 cars could be raced by local racers from the Benelux. Here I think on Gilles Dohogne, Yves Welter jr, Philippe Laudet, Philippe Destrée, Björn van Campenhout, Robby Cuppens, Michael Phillipaerts, Kristof Huys, Remco van Waaij, Marcel Oosterling, Hugo Dekker, Desmond Dekker,  Mike Wagner, Ralph Seif, Christian Schnitzler, etc.  I'll work a couple of weeks on it to see what can be done and what not. I'll inform you later what the contacts learned me.
Connie Aloise Alicia Gilbert Esther Lestrell Mia Ekman
Caroline Schnitzler Manuela Schnitzler Chantal Aerts Emily Kuipers
Sandra Karlikova Corinna Gianotti Sandy Parker Salomé Sequeira
No picture available
Aurélie Bernard Bibi Kubikova Gabriela Fisher Tess Miller

PROVISIONALLY SELECTED RACERS AND FORMAT

We selected the following racers for the Ladies World Championship:
Aerts Chantal (B) - winner of 3 IOC-races, 6th on 351 at Pinky Point I Series
Aloise Connie (USA) - How many times she gave males a cleat beat in G27 Wing?
Bernard Aurélie (F) - winner of French Enduro Nats 2002.
Ekman Mia (S) - Since 25 years the first lady in scale racing.
Fisher Gabriela (CH) - Entered the 2005 & 2006 1/32nd Enduro Euro Nats.
Gianotti Corinna (I) - Best all-time female racer. 2nd at 1988 Enduro Worlds.
Gilbert Alicia (USA) - 3rd at the 2005 American Flats.
Karlikova Sandra (CZ) - Always excellent at Swedish Masters, many wins in Czechia.
Kubikova Bibi (SVK) - Several podiums in int'l racing (3rd at Rouen 24h 1994).
Kuipers Emily (NL) - 2007 Mello Yello finalist; winner of Alsdorf Revenge 2007.
Lestrell Esther (AU) - Best Australian/Swedish female racer at the moment.
Miller Tess (USA) - The star at the 2003 USRA Nats: 3rd in G12 and 3rd in Spec 15.
Parker Sandy (GB) - Best British female racer at the moment, also at BSCRA Nats.
Sequiera Salomé (PT) - Top-8 at 2003 Gasking Int'ls. Winner of one round.
Schnitzler Caroline (D) - Absolute top. Winner DPM 2007 and DKPM 2008.
Schnitzler Manuela (D) - Mother of Christian (2005 EuroNats winner) & Caroline.
As substitutes we think on Charlotte Jacob (B), Louise Valkenborgh (B), Gabriela Arnaboldi (I), Marie-Laure Bez (F), Johanna Hjalmarsson (S), Carolin Karlsson (S), Marie-Odille Petitjean (F), Loes Scheffer (NL), Gabriela Fisher (CH), Nathalie Pijpers (NL),Gwendolina Poirée (F), Sophie-Maureen Bellenger (F), Maura Magnani (I), Gaëlle Colson (B), Mia Harwood (GB), Nicole Wattam (GB)etc. Should you know excellent female drivers in your country, please mail us at jppro@pandora.be.

Since the selected racers come from such different disciplines as wing car racing, scale racing, model car racing and 1/32nd plastic racing, we decided to apply a very simple format. We asked Afolabi Osu - the 2007 Amateur's World Champion - to assemble 8 similar LMP2 cars (version Le Mans 2008), all on the same chassis, with the same motor and with the same tyres. There will be two drivers per car and four 8 x 5' warm-up races where the pairings can win 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 pt(s). Minimum number of stints at the warm-up races is 3 out of 8, maximum 54 out of 8. The 8 racers of the 4 teams having won most points go to the eventual Ladies Worlds over 8 x 5 minutes. Of the 8 finalists the one of each pairing having achieved the most laps can continue on the same car of the warm-up races at the main final. The 4 others will have to drive one of the 4 LMP2 cars having not made the move to the main final.
Marshalls at the main final will be choosen among the 16 world champions (all males) having contested the warm-up races with a 2008 LMP1 car.
08.00-09.00 Brakfast for all entrants
09.00-10.00 Short free practice
10.00-12.00 First warm-up race - 2 heats of 8 x 5' - LMP2 starts first, then LMP1
12.00-13.30 Shell-Berre buffet with lobsters, oysters, caviar, shrimps, salmon and best French wines, offered to all entrants
13.30-15.30 Second warm-up race - 2 heats of 8 x 5'
15.30-17.30 Third warm-up race - 2 heats of 8 x 5'
17.30-18.30 Break. Time to change cloths. Males in tuxedo for the last war-up race, ladies in evening dress.
18.30-20.30 Last warm-up race - 2 heats of 8 x 5'
20.30-22.00 Shell-Berre buffet with the finest French dices and champagne, offered to all entrants
22.00-23.00 World Championship for Ladies - 8 x 5 minutes
Up from 23.00 Social evening and prize giving

I really don't know if this can be materialised, but I always can try. Some of the best female racers have to come from the other side of the world. But let's try it at least. The future will learn if it can be worked out...
Vladimir Horky Josef Korec Piki van Rossem Nick de Wachter
Salvatore Noviello Sergio Maresca Daniel Gonzalez Philipp Kremer
J.P. van Rossem Giovanni Montiglio Hugo Dekker Tamar Nelwan
Afolabi Osu Gabriel Inäbnit George Kimber Jozef Miskoci
Youri van Rossem Michael Niemas Christoph Kremer Mark Campbell
#1 Audi R10 TDI [Audi Sport Team Joest)] l 6th(3) - 5th(3) -4th(2) #2 Audi R10 TDI [Audi Sport Team Joest)]l 2nd(6) - 2nd(4)-2nd(4)
Philipp Kremer- Gabriel Inäbnit "Piki" van Rossem-- Dani "Giesse" Gonzalez 
#6 Courage-Oreca LC70 Judd [Oreca Matmut] l 30(7) - 42(6) -3rd(41) #7 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP l 1st(2) - 5th(1) - 1st(3)
Sergio Maresca- Giovanni Montiglio- Salvatore Noviello Michael Niemas- Christoph Kremer - Youri van Rossem 
#8 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP l 12th(1) - 1st(2) -38th(1) #10 Lola B08/60 Aston Martin (Charouz Racing) l 3rd(4) - 17th(5) -29th(5)
Tamar Nelwan- Nick de Wachter Vladimir Horky- Josef Korec
#16 Pescarolo-Judd  [Pescarolo Sport] l 4th(8) - 25(9) -5th(6) #17 Pescarolo-Judd  [Pescarolo Sport] l 7th(13) - 3rd(13) -31st(7)
Georges Kimber- Hugo Dekker -Mark Campbell Jean Pierre van Rossem Jozef Miskolci- Afolabi Osu
#25 Lola MG EX265 [RML] l 11th(21) - 11th(19) -28th(15) #27 Porsche RS Spyder [Horag Racing]  l 14th(27) - 10th(14) -7th(13)
Sandy Parker- Tess Miller Aurélie Bernard - Salomé Sequiera
#31 Porsche RS Spyder [Team Essex]  l 9th(11) - 8th(15) -8th(17) #32 Zytek 07S Zytek  [Barazi Epsilon]  l 44(18) - 35th(17) -37th(12)
Mia Ekman- Esther Lestrell Sandra Karlikova - Bibi Tavodova-Kubikova
#33 Lola B08/60 Judd  [Speedy Racing Team]  l 22nd(9) - 8th(16) -32nd(9) #34 Porsche RS Spyder [Van Merkesteijn Motorsport]  l 6th(5) -9th(10) -6th(8)
Connie Aloise - Alicia Gilbert Emily Kuipers - Corinna Gianotti

#35 Pescarolo-Judd LMP2 [Saulnier Racing]  l  13th(24) -12th(22)-10th(18)

#41 Zytek 07S  Zytek (Trading Performance)  l  17th(27) -DNF(20)-12th(20)
Caroline Schnitzler- Manuela Schnitzler Chantal Aerts - Gabriela Fisher

INTERESTING TO KNOW

THE TRACK
Track is the same 42-metre wooden 8-laner, manufactured by Canada's Brian Crosby (of Steve Ogilvie tracks) already used at the 2007 and 2008 IMCA Model Car World Championship. It's a track with smooth curbs, following a 1986 design by the late Michel Thoumieu. The "Esses" are very tricky.

ON TOOL BOXES
My farewell Racea will be mixture of a party and a happening. Who wins is not important. Making fun is the first goal. In international racing making fun nearly totally disappeared. It's all about stress now. Ultimate aim of the Farewell Race is avoid all possible stress and to race in a totally relaxed atmosphere. At such happening the impressive tool boxes can have no place. Upon arrival each team will receive a small wooden wine box (of course with a bottle of French wine in it!) and all tools should fit in that box. More tools are not allowed. Indeed, at the working tables there must be enough place for the Shell Berre dishes during the typical French buffets coming from one of the best Belgian traiteur. [There will be a soldering iron available at the race director's stand]

ON TUXEDOS AND EVENING DRESSES
 It's already forgotten, but during the mid-sixties European racers came to the slot-race centra in evening dressing. For my last race I wish to restore that tradition. No entry fee will be asked, but for the price of a normal entry fee one can rent eisily a perfect tuxedo, including white vest and bow tie. Tuxedos will be obliged up from 17h30. Ladies are asked to show in their most beautiful evening, party or cocktail dress around the same time. A one hour break (17h30-18h30) is scheduled to change clothes for the evening party. TLadies under 21 years can receive a €500 budget them, allowing them to show as classy women in classy cocktail or evening dresses.

When I organised my first major international race at the Antwerp Crest Hotel in 1985 there were no less than 12 lady racers present. I remember Angela Maud (GB), Jane Milward (GB), Loes Scheffer (NL), Chantal Aerts (B), Tracy Adamson (CDN), Yolande Scheffer (NL), Denise Bevers (NL), Nathalie Pijpers (NL), Paula Geenen (NL), the late Nicole Annys (B), Riet van ES (NL). Here Nicole Annys, mother of "Piki". She passed away in 1988. Next to her, with the controller in her hands, is Riet van Es, mother of Jeroen and Marcel van Es. From the 1960s thru the mid 1980s there was a tradition of lady racers at the most events. Now lady racing greatly disappeared. Except in Sweden, in France and in Belgium, nearly no more women are seen in competition.

TOP 10 RESULTS PER CLASS AT THE FINISH OF 2008 LMS
Barcelona 1000-kms Monza 1000-kms Spa 1000-kms Nürburgring 1000-kms Silverstone 1000-kms
1. #7 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 215 L 1. #8 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 173 L  1. #7 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 143 L        
2. #2 Audi R10 TDI 214 L 2. #2 Audi R10 TDI 173 L  2. #2 Audi R10 TDI 143 L         
3. #10 Lola B08/60 Aston Martin 212 L 3. #17 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 169 L  3. #6 Courage-Oreca LC70 Judd 140 L        
4. #16 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 210 L 4. #15 Creation CA07-Aim 169 L  4. #1 Audi R10 TDI 139 L         
5. #1 Audi R10 TDI 209 L 5. #7 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 167 L  5. #16 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 139 L         
6. #17 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 208 L 6. #1 Audi R10 TDI 166 L  6. #15 Creation CA07 AIM 134 L         
7. #18 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 204 L 7. #18 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 166 L  7. #20 Epsilon Euskadi Judd 133 L         
8. #8 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 200 L 8. #10 Lola B08/60 Aston Martin 158 L  8. #4 Pescarolo Judd LMP1 130 L         
9. #19 Chamberlain Lola AER 177 L 9. #4 Saulnier Pescarolo-Judd 134 L  9. #18 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 112 L         
10. #20 Epsilon-Euskadi Judd 167 L 10. #5 Courage-Oreca LC70 Judd 130 L  10. #10 Lola B08/60 Aston-Martin 107 L         
                   
1. #34 Prsche RS Spyder 208 L 1. #31 Porsche RS Spyder 165 L  1. #34 Porsche RS Spyder 138 L         
2. #33 Lola-Judd B08/60 Coupe 207 L 2. #34 Porsche RS Spyder 165 L  2. #27 Porsche RS Spyder 138 L         
3. #31 Porsche RS Spyder 204 L 3. #27 Porsche RS Spyder 164 L  3. #31 Porsche RS Spyder 135 L         
4. #25 RML Lola MG EX265 201 L 4. #25 RML Lola MG EX265 164 L  4. #35 Saulnier Pesca-Judd LMP2 134 L        
5. #35 Saulnier Pesca-Judd LMP2 199 L 5. #35 Saulnier Pesca-Judd LMP2 163 L  5. #41 Zytek 07S Zytek 133 L         
6. #27 Porsche RS Spyder 198 L 6. #44 Kruse Lola B05/40 162 L  6. #25 RML Lola MG EX265 111 L        
7. #26 Radical SR9 AER 194 L 7. #40 Lola-AER B050/40 161 L  7. #26 Radical SR9 AER 106 L        
8. #41 Zytek 07S Zytek 193 L 8. #45 WF01 Zyrek 155 L  8. #33 Lola-Judd B08/60 Coupe 128 L         
9. #40 Lola-AER B050/40 190 L 9. #33 Lola-Judd B08/60 Coupe 151 L  9. #45 WF01 Zytek 77 L         
10. #37 WR1-Zytek 154 L 10. #46 WF01 Zytek 146 L  10. #32 Zytek 07S Zytek 62 L         

TOP 10 RESULTS PER CLASS AT THE QUALIFICATIONS OF 2008 LMS
Barcelona 1000-kms Monza 1000-kms Spa 1000-kms Nürburgring 1000-kms Silverstone 1000-kms
1. #8 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 1.31.9 1. #7 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 1.31.5  1. #8 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 1.58.07        
2. #7 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 1.32.5 2. #8 Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 1.32.0  2. #1 Audi R10 TDI 1.58.70         
3. #1 Audi R10 TDI 1.33.2 3. #1 Audi R10 TDI 1.33.2  3. #7 Peugeot Hdi-FAP 1.58.79        
4.#10 Lola B08/60 Aston Martin 1.33.7 4. #2 Audi R10 TDI 1.33.3  4. #2 Audi R10 TDI 2.00.79         
5. #2 Audi R10 TDI 1.34.7 5. #10 Lola B08/60 Aston Martin 1.34.2  5. #10 Lola B08/60 Aston Martin  2.02.51        
6. #6 Courage-Oreca LC70 Judd 1.35.1 6. #6 Courage-Oreca LC70 Judd 1.35.3  6. #16 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 2.04.71         
7. #16 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 1.35.6 7. #14 Creation CA07-Aim 1.35.9  7. #17 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 2.05.20         
8. #14 Creation CA07-Aim 1.36.4 8. #5 Courage-Oreca LC70 Judd 1.35.9  8. #18 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 2.05.92         
9. #17 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 1.36.5 9. #16 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 1.36.1  9. #15 Creation CA07-Aim 2.06.06         
10.#18 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 1.36.6 10. #20 Epsilon-Euskadi EE1 1.37.0  10. #20 Epsilon Euskadi Judd 2.07.05        
                   
1. #34 Prsche RS Spyder 1.34.4 1. #34 Porsche RS Spyder 1.36.8  1. #34 Porsche RS Spyder 2.05.84         
2. #33 Lola-Judd B08/60 Coupe 1.35.8 2. #27 Porsche RS Spyder 1.37.8  2. #33 Lola-Judd B08/60 Coupe 2.05.88        
3. #27 Porsche RS Spyder 1.36.2 3. #31 Porsche RS Spyder 1.38.0  3. #32 Zytek 07S Zytek 2.06.35         
4. #31 Porsche RS Spyder 1.36.3 4. #33 Lola-Judd B08/60 Coupe 1.38.2  4. #27 Porsche RS Spyder 2.06.95         
5. #40 Lola-AER B050/40 1.36.6 5. #32 Zytek 07S Zytek 1.38.6  5. #25 RLM  Lola MG EX265 2.07.54         
6. #32 Zytek 07S Zytek 1.37.5 6. #25 RML Lola MG EX265 1.38.7  6. #46 WF01 Zytek 2.08.05         
7. #45 WF01 Zytek 1.38.1 7. #41 Zytek 07S Zytek 1.39.9  7. #31 Porsche RS Spyder 2.08.32         
8. #44 Kruse Lola B05/40 Mazda 1.38.4 8. #40 Lola-AER B050/40 1.40.0  8. #35 Saulnier Pesca-Judd LMP2 2.08.68        
9. #25 RML Lola MG EX265 1.38.5 9. #35 Saulnier Pesca-Judd LMP2 1.40.2  9. #45 WF01 Zytek 2.08.87         
10. #46 WF01 Zytek 1.38.5 10. #46 WF01 Zytek 1.40.2  10. #41 Zytek 07S Zytek 2.11.27