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Category Archives: Wolf Henzler
Porsche holds manufacturer point lead with strong team effort, Tudor United SportsCar Championship, round 3: Long Beach, USA
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche North America: Richard Lietz, Nick Tandy
Tudor United SportsCar Championship, round 3: Long Beach, USA
Porsche holds manufacturer point lead with strong team effort
Richard Lietz, Nick Tandy, Michael Christensen, Patrick Long (l-r)
Stuttgart. Factory trio of Porsche 911 RSR entered in Tequila Patrón Sports Car Showcase at Long Beach fought both the city streets of Southern California and the competition, and left retaining the lead in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship GT Le Mans (GTLM) class Manufacturer Championship point standings.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche North America: Patrick Long, Michael Christensen
The No. 911 Porsche North America Porsche 911 RSR of Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Richard Lietz (Austria) took the checkered flag in fourth-place with the team car, the No. 912 of Patrick Long (USA) and Michael Christensen (Denmark), fifth in class.
The No. 17 Team Falken Tire Porsche 911 RSR driven by Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Bryan Sellers (USA) finished eighth.
Porsche 911 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
The race hinged on a single pit stop with approximately one hour remaining in the 100-minute race, by far the shortest race of the season. First, the No. 911 stopped and Richard Lietz relinquished the car to Nick Tandy with fresh Michelin tires and a full fuel load from their fifth place qualifying position.
One lap later, the No. 912 stopped with Patrick Long taking over from Michael Christensen who was running sixth at the time. After the rotation, the No. 911 gained one spot moving to fourth while the No. 912 did the same, moving to fifth. From the sole pit stop to the conclusion of the third round of the championship, Nick Tandy ran a mostly unchallenged race to cross under the checkered flag 27 seconds behind the winners.
The No. 17 Team Falken Tire Porsche 911 RSR with factory driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Bryan Sellers (Braselton, Ga.) also gained one spot on their starting position finishing eight with efficient pit work.
The eighth-place follows a fifth earned during the debut of the privately entered 911 RSR at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March.
Nick Tandy: "The result is better than our pace this weekend as we improved on our qualifying position. We scored two high points places for the team and gained points back on the championship leader. It's not a podium but it's two cars in the top-five, so it's good."
Richard Lietz: "I think we did the maximum we could do. We didn't have the speed today to stay with the guys in front of us but we did our best. I think it was positive but we need to work to find the additional speed."
Patrick Long: "I am happy we persevered with a lot of challenges today. Fourth and fifth are not first and second but it's a long season so we need to put points on the board. I didn't have a radio for the whole stint so I didn't know if the BMW was on the lead lap. I just pushed as hard as I could at the end. It was a good hard, clean fight with Bill Auberlen. Michael did a really solid job and we just made the best of what we had this weekend."
Michael Christensen: "That was fun. Obviously, it was a little bit of a train most of the stint. That's how it is, it's tough to get by on a street circuit but I did my best to move forward."
Wolf Henzler: "We have to sit down now after this race and look at what we did and what we can do better. We still need to understand the car better and how it reacts to setup changes on the Falken tire. I think we will have something better for Laguna Seca."
GTLM class
1. Magnussen/Garcia (DK/E), Chevrolet Corvette, 75 laps
2. Müller/Edwards (D/USA), BMW Z4 GTE, 75
3. Gavin/Milner (GB/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 75
4. Lietz/Tandy (A/GB), Porsche 911 RSR, 75
5. Christensen/Long (DK/USA), Porsche 911 RSR, 75
6. Priaulx/Auberlen (GB/USA), BMW Z4 GTE, 75
8. Henzler/Sellers (D/USA), Porsche 911 RSR, 74
Round 4 of the Tudor United SportsCar Championship will take place on May 4 in Laguna Seca, California.
Please note: The Twitter channel @PorscheRaces provides live updates with the latest information and photos from race tracks around the world.
SOURCE: Communication Porsche AG – Motorsport Press
Posted by dedeporsche on April 12, 2014 in Bryan Sellers, Michael Christensen, Motorsport News, Nick Tandy (GB), Patrick Long, Richard Lietz, Track Events, TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Wolf Henzler
Tags: Autos & Vehicles, Nick Tandy (GB), Patrick Long, porsche 911 rsr, Porsche Cars North America, Richard Lietz, Track Events, Tudor United SportsCar Championship, Wolf Henzler
Porsche 911 RSR triumphs with double victory in Le Mans, Sports Car WEC, rd 3, Le Mans 24 Hours/France
Stuttgart . At the Le Mans 24 Hours, Porsche has further extended its record with class wins number 99 and 100 and opened a new chapter in the history of the world's most famous long distance race. On the Circuit des 24 Heures, the new Porsche 911 RSR fielded by Porsche AG Team Manthey with Porsche works drivers Romain Dumas (France), Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria) won the fiercely competitive GTE-Pro class against strong opposition from Aston Martin, Chevrolet, Ferrari and Viper.
In the second 911 RSR, their works driver colleagues Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Patrick Pilet (France) made the double victory for the race car from Weissach perfect.
In the GTE-Am class, the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by the customer team IMSA Performance Matmut clinched victory with Frenchmen Raymond Narac, Jean-Karl-Vernay and Christophe Bourret.
The 81st running of the long distance classic took place in changeable weather with constant showers and under the most difficult conditions. All the greater was the relief after the maiden win of the new Porsche 911 RSR.
At the finish line, the Porsche AG Team Manthey squad stood united at the pit wall to give their heroes the glorious reception they deserved.
Amidst them stood Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche AG, CEO Matthias Müller as well as Board Members Wolfgang Hatz (Research and Development) and Bernhard Maier (Sales and Marketing) who had witnessed most of the race firsthand round-the-clock in the Porsche pits.
Already in the hour after the start, the 911 RSR made up positions at just its third outing in the sports car World Endurance Championship WEC, which yielded double points at Le Mans as the third round.
With fast lap times and utmost reliability, the 911 with the starting number 92 in particular fought for victory right from the start.
The pit stops were predominantly just routine: Refuel, tyres, driver change – then back out on the track.
Both works-run Porsche completed the entire distance without the slightest technical problem, apart from a rear light that had to be replaced on the number 91 Porsche 911 RSR after being nudged by a competitor.
The second racer fielded by Porsche AG Team Manthey was thrown back in the field shortly after the start when the safety car was deployed right in front of Joerg Bergmeister which cost the Porsche factory pilot almost two minutes.
While some competitors struggled on the difficult and partly wet circuit, the 911 RSR made it safely through the night without any problems and underlined the intention to clinch its maiden victory with consistently fast lap times.
Even when torrential rain fell a good hour before the finish and its pursuers launched a final attack, Richard Lietz remained unfazed at the wheel of the number 91 car. In the final race hours, the number 91 vehicle also gained ground and slipped into second place ahead of the Aston Martin and Ferrari. The Porsche works drivers did not let this superb double victory slip out of their hands.
In the GTE-Am class, three Porsche 911 GT3 RSR at times ran at the front. At the flag, Raymond Narac, Christophe Bourret and Jean-Karl Vernay, who receives support from Porsche in his Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup campaign this season, brought home the victory.
Especially for Jean-Karl Vernay, the winner of the 2012 International Cup Scholarship, a dream came true.
Porsche race driver Patrick Dempsey, one of an all-American driver trio helming the Dempsey Del Piero-Proton 911 GT3 RSR with Porsche works driver Patrick Long and Joe Foster, also held the lead at times.
However, after he was blamelessly shunted off the circuit by a sports prototype he had to bury his dream of winning his first Le Mans outing with Porsche.
The Le Mans race was overshadowed by the death of Denmark's Allan Simonsen. In the fourth race lap, the Aston Martin pilot crashed into the barriers in the fast Tertre Rouge corner and died from his serious injuries shortly afterwards in the Circuit des 24 Heures Medical Centre.
Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche AG:
"With the 99th and 100th class win and the double victory of the new 911 RSR, this Le Mans 24 hour race was a magnificent success for Porsche. I very much congratulate all those who have contributed. Our joy, however, is also mixed with sadness and shock at the death of Allan Simonsen. We have not only lost a passionate racer, but also a good friend of the Porsche motorsport family. He contested his first Le Mans 24 Hours in 2007 with a Porsche. With our works driver Marc Lieb in 2005, he contested two races of the Le Mans Endurance Series in a Porsche as well. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family as well as the Aston Martin squad and his teammates at this difficult time."
Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG:
"Those were very gripping 24 hours and a race with action we've all certainly experienced rarely. It was exciting from the first to the last minute. In the end luck was on our side. Aston Martin was a tremendous opponent. At this time our thoughts should be with the fatally injured Allan Simonsen. For motorsport and for Aston Martin it is a great tragedy. Nevertheless, Porsche has once again shown that it is the manufacturer to beat in GT racing. This makes us optimistic for 2014."
Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member Research and Development at Porsche AG:
"I am incredibly proud of what the entire team has done here. A double victory in the Pro class and even a win thanks to our customer team, you can't ask for more than that."
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport:
"In the 50th anniversary of the 911 and 15 years since the last time a works team competed here Le Mans it's the best result you can imagine. And I don't just mean the performance of our Pro teams. Our customer squads have performed brilliantly. We couldn't have done better. The race was thrilling for the spectators and it was nerve wracking but the result after all that was well worth it."
Olaf Manthey, team principal of Porsche AG Team Manthey:
"I'm still speechless about our success. After the penultimate safety car phase I was not feeling particularly optimistic. I still can't believe this victory. In 1999 I was with Porsche for the first time in Le Mans and we won then too. Now I returned after 15 years and did it again. Dear God, however, has written a screenplay that almost ruined by nerves."
Marc Lieb (#92):
"It's a fairytale. To win Le Mans at our first attempt with a new RSR is something we never expected in our wildest dreams. I'm incredibly proud of my teammates and the entire crew that turned the 911 RSR into a winning car at Le Mans in such a short time."
Richard Lietz (#92):
"Even in my last stint when everything came to a head for us I didn't feel any great pressure. But right from the start I had the death of a colleague in my head, and the battle for tenths of seconds and positions became secondary. I believe there wouldn't be many drivers who could really concentrate, I've never experienced so many safety car phases in Le Mans. We were lucky with the rain today but we needed luck too under such difficult conditions. As far as our performance and the car goes we are delighted and proud, but our thoughts are somewhere else."
Romain Dumas (#92):
"This race was packed with suspense and emotion right from the start. It began with Allan Simonsen's tragic accident, and in the end we were lucky with the rain which helped us considerably. However, we had a lot of frustration with the safety car at the beginning. This success is of course great for Porsche and the 50th anniversary of the 911."
Joerg Bergmeister (#91):
"I had very mixed feelings after Allan's fatal accident. First and second place is obviously a dream result which we had not anticipated before the race considering the superiority of Aston Martin. We had a fabulous car, but also a bit of bad luck. But we were always up with the play, second place is a very good consolation."
Patrick Pilet (#91):
"It is a day to be proud and happy, but also sad. Due to the circumstances we'll all need a couple of weeks to let it sink in. Right now we are all thinking of Allan and that's why this success is not exactly the wonderful moment it was actually supposed to be for me. We came here with a new car, we worked incredibly hard together and fought together with Porsche for this result."
Timo Bernhard (#91):
"It was a very moving, difficult race with constantly changing weather conditions. We had hoped for a podium result, so the double victory is just fantastic especially for me since this was my last race with the 911 RSR. From the outset we were really fast, but lost two minutes early on through the safety car and we spent the rest of the race trying to catch up. In the end we all had that necessary luck and I congratulate my teammates on their victory. That was a truly great day for the entire team."
Jean-Karl Vernay (#76):
"Porsche supports me this season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Here in Le Mans I wanted to prove that they were right putting their trust in me. I think I succeeded. I had a great weekend."
Patrick Long (#77):
"I wanted so much to climb the podium with Patrick and Joe. Even a victory would have been possible. The car was so unbelievably good, but it wasn't our race. Today is a great day for Porsche. Double victory in Le Mans with the new 911 RSR – it's almost impossible to believe. My congratulations to all those in Weissach who contributed to it."
Patrick Dempsey (#76):
"Patrick Long did a fantastic job. He drove so well, so fast. I'm pleased to have him in the team. He is so incredibly inspiring. Porsche gave us a very good car. We were so close to the podium. It is an unbelievable experience to be in Le Mans with Porsche. I'm very proud to have been a part of this great project."
Round four of the sports car World Endurance Championship takes place on 1 September in Sao Paulo/Brazil.
GTE-Pro class
1. Dumas/Lieb/Lietz (F/D/A), Porsche 911 RSR, 315 laps
2. Bergmeister/Bernhard/Pilet (D/D/F), Porsche 911 RSR, 315
3. Dumbreck/Mücke/Turner (GB/D/GB), Aston Martin, 314
4. Magnussen/Garcia/Taylor (DK/E/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 312
5. Beretta/Kobayashi/Vilander (MC/J/SF), Ferrari 458 Italia, 312
6. Bruni/Fisichella/Malucelli (I/I/I), Ferrari 458 Italia, 311
GTE-Am class
1. Narrac/Bourret/Vernay (F/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 306 laps
2. Perazzini/Case/O'Young (I/I/CDN), Ferrari 458 Italia, 305
3. Gerber/Griffin/Cioci (ZA/IRL/I), Ferrari 458 Italia, 305
4. Dempsey/Long/Foster (USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 305
7. Henzler/Gibon/Milesi (D/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 300
8. Ried/Roda/Ruberti (D/I/I), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 300
9. Collard/Perrod/Crubile (F/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 298
Please note: Photo material from the Le Mans 24 Hours and the sports car World Endurance Championship WEC is available for accredited journalists from the Porsche Press Database under the internet address http://presse.porsche.de. On this website you can also activate the Porsche Motorsport SMS Info Service to receive the latest news and information from race tracks around the world via text messages. On the internet address http://presse.porsche.de/motorsport journalists have access to the new digital Porsche Motorsport Media Guide 2013.
SOURCE: Porsche AG Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Porsche 911 RSR make up positions after start, Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC, rd 3, Le Mans 24 Hours/France (dedeporsche.com)
Porsche wins both GT classes in Le Mans, Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC, rd 3, Le Mans 24 Hours/France (dedeporsche.com)
First qualifying in Le Mans for Porsche 911 RSR, Sports Car WEC round 3, Le Mans 24 Hours/France (dedeporsche.com)
Porsche teams among the front-runners in both GT classes, Sports Car WEC, rd 3, Le Mans 24 Hours/France (dedeporsche.com)
Porsche 911 RSR sets the second fastest lap time in warm-up, Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC, rd 3, Le Mans 24 Hours/France (dedeporsche.com)
Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC, rd 3, Le Mans 24 Hours/France: Best Porsche 911 RSR 3rd on grid at Le Mans debut (dedeporsche.com)
VIDEO: New member of the Porsche motorsport family, Patrick Dempsey plays star role in Porsche films (dedeporsche.com)
Posted by dedeporsche on June 23, 2013 in 24 Hours of Le Mans, 50 years anniversary of Porsche 911, Dempsey Del Piero-Proton, Dempsey Racing-Proton, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Hartmut Kristen Head of Porsche Motorsport, Head of Porsche Motorsport, IMSA Performance Matmut, Joerg Bergmeister, Le Mans 24 Hours, Manthey Porsche, Marc Lieb, Matthias Müller CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG, Matthias Müller President of the Executive Board at Porsche AG, McDreamy, Olaf Manthey, Patrick Dempsey, Patrick Long, Patrick Pilet, Porsche, Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Porsche AG's Research and Development Center in Weissach, Porsche head of motorsport Hartmut Kristen, Porsche Motorsport, Richard Lietz, Romain Dumas, Stuttgart, Timo Bernhard, Track Events, WEC, Wolf Henzler, World Endurance Championship, Zuffenhausen
Tags: Aston Martin, Le Mans, Le Mans 24 Hour, Marc Lieb, Patrick Dempsey, Porsche, porsche 911 gt3, Romain Dumas
First qualifying in Le Mans for Porsche 911 RSR, Sports Car WEC round 3, Le Mans 24 Hours/France
Porsche AG Team Manthey
Stuttgart. Porsche AG Team Manthey used the first qualifying for the Le Mans 24 Hours on Wednesday primarily to work on the set-up of the new Porsche 911 RSR for its first outing at the world's most famous long distance race.
The 911 RSR with the starting number 92, shared by Porsche works drivers Romain Dumas (France), Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria), performed impressively in free practice by setting the best time in the GTE-Pro class, and went on to post the fifth quickest time during the first qualifying held in the night.
At the wheel of the second 911 RSR with the starting number 91, their works driver colleagues Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Patrick Pilet (France) were clocked as seventh fastest.
The best Porsche in the GTE-Am class was the 911 GT3 RSR run by Proton Competition on second place. Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti share the cockpit.
The IMSA Performance Matmut 911 with Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) clinched the third quickest time.
In the 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Dempsey Del Piero Proton squad, the all-American line-up of Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey,
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Dempsey Dell Piero Proton: Patrick Dempsey, Joe Foster, Patrick Long
Porsche works driver Patrick Long and Joe Foster secured the seventh spot.
Quotes after the first qualifying
Joerg Bergmeister (# 91):
"My main priority was to turn my mandatory laps. I was driving on used tyres and everything went really smoothly. As a driver you're never really satisfied but I think that as far as the race is concerned we are on the right track."
Patrick Pilet (# 91):
Patrick Pilet and Timo Bernhard
"The balance of the car was okay. On the fastest lap I encountered a lot of traffic which cost me some time. For tomorrow we have to keep working on the balance."
Timo Bernhard (# 91):
"Today wasn't really a labour-intensive day. In free practice I turned three laps before the session was red-flagged. When I wanted to climb in the car for my last qualifying stint the red flag came out again and after that it was no longer possible to do anything. Now I hope that I get to drive a bit longer tomorrow."
Marc Lieb (# 92):
Marc Lieb, Joerg Bergmeister, Porsche AG Team Manthey
"The qualifying was quite good. I went out on used tyres and that worked well. I'm happy with the car's balance. Of course we have to tweak the set-up but I think that we'll manage that before the race. Compared to Spa and Silverstone we've made great strides."
Richard Lietz (# 92):
(l.-r.): Richard Lietz, Romain Dumas, Marc Lieb
"My first lap was really good, but I spun in the second. Luckily nothing happened and I then had no problems on the second set of tyres."
Romain Dumas (# 92):
Romain Dumas
"Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to drive during qualifying. I drove a couple of laps in free practice during the afternoon. It was great fun to be out on this track in a GT car."
Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas, Porsche AG Team Manthey
Wolf Henzler (#67):
"Today was my first time with the car on new tyres. The balance is still not quite perfect. I hope that we can attack it again tomorrow."
"We have made progress in all areas since the last race in Spa. On the straights we are still a little slower but we are closing in on our competitors. I'm getting to know the circuit better with every lap I drive."
"I initially went out on used tyres to get a feel for the car. When I then tried to go for a good qualifying time with soft tyres the yellow flag came out at the first corner. Afterwards I only had time to turn the required mandatory laps for the night qualifying."
Patrick Dempsey, Dempsey Dell Piero-Proton
"I'm very pleased to compete in Le Mans with Porsche. This is really a fantastic experience. Of course there are still some things that need improving but it's been quite a long time since I've driven laps at night on this difficult track. The Porsche is great fun to drive. I've learned a lot and I'm feeling confident that we'll improve even more until the race."
Paolo Ruberti (#88):
(l.-r.): Gianluca Roda, Christian Ried, Paolo Ruberti
"I was almost a second quicker than in free practice. In the first chicane I was a little too quick and I lost the rear. Luckily I didn't hit anything."
1. Bell/Makowiecki/Senna (GB/F/BRA), Aston Martin, 3:55.658 minutes
2. Fisichella/Bruni/Malucelli (I/I/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 3:55.909
3. Dumbreck/Mücke/Turner (GB/D/GB), Aston Martin, 3:56.004
5. Dumas/Lieb/Lietz (F/D/A), Porsche 911 RSR, 3:56.457
7. Bergmeister/Bernhard/Pilet (D/D/F), Porsche 911 RSR, 3:56.573
1. Nygaard/Poulsen/Simonsen (DK/DK/DK), Aston Martin, 3:58.661 minutes
2. Ried/Roda/Ruberti (D/I/I), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 3:59.246
3. Henzler/Gibon/Milesi (D/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 4:00.053
5. Narrac/Bourret/Vernay (F/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 4:01.713
7. Dempsey/Long/Foster (USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 4:03.378
Le Mans 24 Hours and the sports car World Endurance Championship WEC
SOURCE: Communication Porsche AG Motorsport Press
Posted by dedeporsche on June 19, 2013 in 24 Hours of Le Mans, 50 years anniversary of Porsche 911, 911 Carrera, Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG, Felbermayr Proton, Hartmut Kristen Head of Porsche Motorsport, Head of Porsche Motorsport, IMSA Performance Matmut, Joerg Bergmeister, Le Mans 24 Hours, Manthey Porsche, Marc Lieb, Motorsport News, Patrick Dempsey, Patrick Long, Patrick Pilet, Porsche, Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0, Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Porsche head of motorsport Hartmut Kristen, Porsche Motorsport, Porsche Motorsport around the world, ProSpeed Competition, Richard Lietz, Stuttgart, Timo Bernhard, Track Events, WEC, Wolf Henzler, World Endurance Championship
Tags: Dempsey Dell Piero Proton, Germany, Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Marc Lieb, Patrick Dempsey, Patrick Long, Patrick Pilet, Patrick Pilet (France), Porsche, porsche 911 gt3, porsche 911 rsr, Proton Competition, Richard Lietz, Richard Lietz (Austria), Romain Dumas, Romain Dumas (France), Timo Bernhard, Timo Bernhard (Germany)
American Le Mans, Falken Porsche, Henzler, Tandy, Sellers Third in GT at 12 Hours of Sebring
Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers (r – l)
American Le Mans Series, round in Sebring, Florida USA
Stuttgart. At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Falken Tire squad, Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) and his teammate Bryan Sellers (USA) and works driver Nick Tandy (GB) finished the opening round of the American Le Mans Series season on the GT podium in third place.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers
With this result, they were the best of the Porsche pilots on the bumpy 17-turn Sebring circuit which hosts America's oldest endurance race.
The team qualified in 12th place in class, but Henzler timed his acceleration at the green flag perfectly, scooting to sixth place in the 500 meters between the start line and turn one. Then, with perfect pit stops and some great driving in traffic from all three racers, the customer Porsche entry outran and outlasted factory teams from Corvette, BMW, SRT Viper and Aston Martin.
"When the week began, I wouldn't have thought we had a chance to make it on the podium as we didn't have the speed of the others. Our Porsche was consistent, with the engine, brakes and handling all perfect, and we made up positions one at a time until we moved into the top three.
We are very satisfied with third place. We tested several times here, and that certainly helped, but we have more work to do for the season. One of the secrets to our success today was the fast and consistent driving of my colleagues Bryan and Nick," said Henzler, the 2008 ALMS co-champion.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Marco Holzer, Richard Lietz, Bryce Miller
The other Porsche customer team in the GT class was the Paul Miller Racing orsche 911 GT3 RSR, with factory drivers Richard Lietz (AUS) and Marco Holzer (GER) joining Bryce Miller (USA), finished in sixth place. Holzer, who will drive this car all season with Miller, was pleased with the performance of his Porsche for the last half of the race
"This was not an easy race for us as our setup in the beginning needed modification, but we picked up our pace and made up four positions in the second half to give Paul Miller Racing its best Sebring finish ever.
Bryce and Richard drove great, and a sixth position gives us valuable points for the season," said Holzer.
In the GTC class for matched Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars, no less than seven cars led the class during the 12-hour race, with the #66 TRG Porsche with Damien Faulkner (IRL) in the lead late in the race when an air gun failure during a tire change allowed the #22 Alex Job Racing Porsche being driven by Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) to take the lead with 90 minutes remaining.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Alex Job Racing: Jeroen Bleekemolen, Cooper MacNeil, Dion von Moltke
Bleekemolen, former Porsche Mobil1 Supercup champion, who shared the driving duties with Cooper MacNeil and Dion von Moltke (both USA), then took the car to the checkered flag to win the class.
Round two of the American Le Mans Series takes place on 20 April on the street circuit in Long Beach, California USA.
GT class
1. Milner/Gavin/Westbrook (USA/GB/GB), Chevrolet Corvette, 333 laps
2. Bruni/Beretta/Malucelli (ITA/MC/ITA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 333
3. Henzler/Sellers/Tandy (GER/USA/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 332
4. J.Mueller/Martin/Auberlen (MC/BEL/USA), BMW Z4, 330
5. Farnbacher/Goossens/Dalziel (GER/BEL/USA), SRT Viper, 329
6. Holzer/Miller/Lietz (GER/USA/AUS), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 329
7. D.Mueller/Hand/Edwards BMW Z4 (CH/USA/USA), BMW Z4, 321
8. Senna/Muecke/Turner (BRA/GER/GB), Aston Martin Vantage V8, 318
9. Lamy/Della Lana/Johnson (POR/CAN/USA), Aston Martin Vantage V8, 309
10. Kendall/Wittmer/Bomerito (USA/CAN/USA), SRT Viper, 303
GTC class
1. Bleekemolen/MacNeil/von Moltke (NL/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 315 laps
2. Pumpelly/Wong/Canache, Jr. (USA/USA/VEN), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 315
3. Edwards/Cisneros/Seefried (GB/USA/GER), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 314
1. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Richard Westbrook, Chevrolet, 24 points
2. Gianmaria Bruni, Olivier Beretta, Matteo Malucelli, Ferrari, 20
3. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Nick Tandy, Porsche, 17
4. Joerg Mueller, Maxime Martin, Bill Auberlen, BMW, 14
5. Ryan Dalziel, Marc Goossens, Dominik Farnbacher, SRT Viper, 12
6. Richard Lietz, Marco Holzer, Bryce Miller, Porsche, 10
7. Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, John Edwards, BMW, 7
8. Darren Turner, Stefan Muecke, Bruno Senna, Aston Martin Vantage V8, 7
9. Jonathan Bomarito, Tommy Kendall, Kuno Wittmer, SRT Viper, 6
10. Pedro Lamy, Paul Della Lena, Billy Johnson, Aston Martin Vantage V8, 5
Manufacturers – GT
1. Chevrolet, 24
2. Ferrari, 20
3. Porsche, 17
4. BMW, 14
5. SRT Viper, 12
Teams – GT
1. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 24
2. RISI, Ferrari, 20
3. Team Falken Tire, Porsche, 17
4. Rahal RLL, BMW, 14
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG, Motorsport Press
Posted by dedeporsche on March 16, 2013 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Andy Lally (USA), Bryan Sellers, Bryce Miller (USA), Dion von Moltke, Head of Porsche Motorsport, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, McDreamy, Motorsport News, Nick Tandy (GB), Patrick Long, Patrick Pilet, Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, Sebring 12 Hour, Sebring International Raceway, Team Falken Tire, Wolf Henzler
Tags: Alex Job Racing: Jeroen Bleekemolen, American Le Mans Series, BMW Z4, Bryce Miller, Cooper MacNeil, Dion von Moltke, Nick Tandy, Porsche, porsche 911 gt3, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, SRT Viper, Wolf Henzler
Video: Four Porsches on the first four grid spots – Daytona 24 Hours 2013
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Konrad Motorsport/Orbit: Nick Tandy, Michael Christensen, Christian Engelhardt, Lance Willsey
Daytona 24 Hours – Press Release – 24/01/2013
Four Porsche on the first four grid spots
Stuttgart. Good starting position for Porsche at the Daytona 24 hour race: In qualifying for the sports car classic in Florida, Porsche pilots locked out the first four grid spots in a field of 36 vehicles entered in the GT class.
Nick Tandy
Pole position went to Nick Tandy in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Konrad Motorsport/Orbit. Daytona marks the first race for the Briton as a Porsche works driver.
Michael Christensen
One of his teammates is Porsche Junior Michael Christensen (Denmark), who contests his first 24 hour race on Saturday.
"Pole position in Daytona shouldn't be underestimated, even if the race runs over 24 hours," said Nick Tandy.
"Starting from the front allows you to avoid getting caught up in any skirmishes and that's certainly an advantage. Our car ran perfectly and that gives us a good feeling for the race."
In last year's winning car with the starting number 44, Andy Lally (USA) set the second quickest qualifying time.
Sharing the cockpit of the Magnus Racing 911 GT3 Cup is Porsche works driver Richard Lietz from Austria.
Third in qualifying in the fiercely competitive qualifying session on the Daytona International Speedway, in which the eleven top placed cars are all within just one second, went to Sean Edwards (MOMO/NGT) from Great Britain ahead Porsche factory pilot Patrick Long (USA) competing for the Park Place Motorsports squad.
"We won the race last year. Second on the grid is an excellent starting position to repeat this success," said Richard Lietz.
Patrick Pilet
Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet (France), one of Sean Edwards' teammates, was also feeling optimistic.
"Sean did an excellent job. After this great qualifying result we are all looking forward to the race. Our goal is to finish on the podium."
The Daytona 24 Hours starts on Saturday at 15.30 hrs local time (21.30 hrs CET).
Result GT qualifying
1. Nick Tandy (GB), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 1:47.631 minutes
2. Andy Lally (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.197 seconds
3. Sean Edwards (GB), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.376
4. Patrick Long (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.506
5. Alessandro Balzan (I), Ferrari 458, + 0.629
6. Felipe Albuquerque (MEX), Audi R8, + 0.651
7. Marco Seefried (D), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.688
8. Robin Liddell (GB), Camaro GT.R, + 0.699
SOURCE: Daytona 24 Hours – Porsche Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG
— at Daytona International Speedway.
In North America, the 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race sets the standard for sports car performance and longevity. Traditionally, the 24 hour race on the Daytona International Speedway is the first highlight of the motorsport season and year after year attracts the best pilots from all kinds of race series worldwide to the 'Sunshine State' of the USA.
Porsche has collected 72 class and 22 overall wins in the race's 49-year history, making Porsche the most successful manufacturer in the history of the race. In recent years, Porsche cars have made up almost one-half of the overall entry list at Daytona.
The endurance classic, which kicks off the Grand-Am Series season, started out in 1962 as a three-hour race. At 1,250 miles in 1964, the race grew to double the distance of the classic 1,000 kilometer races of Spa, Monza and the Nürburgring. The maiden 24-hour event in Daytona took place in 1966. Taking their places on the winner's list are Formula 1 champions like Phil Hill and Mario Andretti as well as legendary Porsche pilots like Hans Herrmann, Rolf Stommelen, Hurley Haywood and Bob Wollek.
The Daytona International Speedway is one of the world's most famous racetracks. The 24-hour race is contested on the 3.56-mile track combination of oval with banked corner and the infield. The circuit is also the venue for the famed NASCAR Daytona 500 race with more than 250,000 spectators annually.
PORSCHE: First Mother-Son Duo Enter Rolex 24 – Wright Motorsports and Snow Racing Combine Forces for Strong Entry at Daytona (dedeporsche.com)
Nick Tandy wins Porsche Cup as the best private driver in the world (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 Cup New Edition of the world's most successful race car (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
Posted by dedeporsche on January 24, 2013 in Andy Lally (USA), Automotive Photography, Autos & Vehicles, Connor de Phillippi, Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG, FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS, GRAND-AM Rolex 24, Joerg Bergmeister, Madison Snow, Magnus Racing, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, Marco Seefried, Melanie Snow, Michael Christensen, Motorsport News, Nick Tandy (GB), Porsche, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Richard Lietz, Rolex 24 at Daytona Int'l Speedway, Romain Dumas, Sascha Maassen, Sean Edwards (GB), THE RACERS GROUP, Track Events, TRG, Wolf Henzler, Wright Motorsports, Wright Motorsports owner John Wright
Tags: 24 Hours of Daytona, Andy Lally (USA), Autos & Vehicles, daytona international speedway, FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS, Joerg Bergmeister, Konrad Motorsport, Magnus Racing, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, Marco Seefried (D), Motorsport News, Nick Tandy (GB), Patrick Long, Patrick Pilet, Porsche, Richard Lietz, Rolex 24 At Daytona, Sean Edwards (GB), Track Events, TruSpeed Motorsports, Wolf Henzler
American Le Mans Series, rd 8 Baltimore, USA, Four Porsche 911 GT3 RSR compete on city course before record crowds
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
Four Porsche 911 GT3 RSR compete on city course before record crowds
Stuttgart. The premiere was a resounding success – for the American Le Mans Series and for Porsche.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman
The first race on the street course in Baltimore in the US state of Maryland last year celebrated its debut in front of a record crowd of 150,000 spectators with works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) scoring a commanding victory with his teammate Bryan Sellers (USA) in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
On 1 September, the race series showcasing the fastest sports cars in the world returns to Baltimore to contest round 8 of the series.
After its successful debut in 2011, the Baltimore Grand Prix takes off for the second time. The race runs over two hours. On this weekend, the American Le Mans Series is contested alongside the Indycar series, another very popular US championship,
2012 GRAND PRIX OF BALTIMORE
Photo Source: Grand Prix Baltimore Media
The 3.219 kilometre street circuit leads through the streets of Baltimore around the Convention Centre at the inner harbour. The course features twelve corners, some of which are extremely tight.
The Porsche pilots
Last year's winners Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) and his American teammate Bryan Sellers contest the strongly represented GT class in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Falken Tire.
Sharing the cockpit of the Flying Lizard Porsche are Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA), the winners of the Lime Rock round.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
The second 911 of the successful customer team from California is manned by Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and team owner Seth Neiman (USA).
Sascha Maassen (Germany) teams up with Bryce Miller (USA) in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Paul Miller Racing.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller
The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
The most successful GT race car of the last years in the American Le Mans Series is the top model of Porsche Motorsport's customer racing vehicles. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which won the environmental "Michelin Green X Challenge" in 2010 as the GT vehicle with the best overall efficiency, headed into the new season with extensive modifications. Since the race in Laguna Seca, the car has received a new front splitter and is fitted with an adapted rear wing.
The race in Baltimore starts on Saturday, 1 September, at 16.30 hours local time (22.30 hrs CEST) and is broadcast on the internet live on http://www.americanlemans.com/live. On Friday from 23.27 hours CEST, the GT qualifying is shown on http://www.porsche.com/alms-live.
"The Baltimore round is a real asset to the American Le Mans Series. At the premiere last year, 150,000 fans witnessed some great racing and a strong performance from our Porsche customer teams, crowned by Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers victory for the Falken Tire squad. Racing in a city like Baltimore with its huge catchment area is an important step on the way to bring the American Le Mans Series and its gripping racing even closer to the fans."
Jörg Bergmeister
"The debut in Baltimore last year was a great experience. But as fascinating as city races are, they are very stressful for the teams. The time schedule is normally very tight. And if you want to be successful it's particularly crucial to use the short practice sessions as good as you can to find the best possible set up for the track. With a race duration of just two hours and given that the GT class is so strongly represented, we're going to see some real tough action. But we're ready for it."
"The layout of the Baltimore circuit has changed slightly from last year. Let's see if that helps us. After the somewhat difficult start to the season we've regained some of our former strength over the last few races. It would be great if we could continue this trend in Baltimore."
"After winning there last year, Baltimore is of course a very special race. Our chances for a top placing are definitely greater than on a conventional race track. The reason for this is that our tyres work better on the narrow street circuit and we do well in the slow corners thanks to the traction of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Now we have to turn this to our advantage."
"I love racing on street circuits so I'm very much looking forward to my first race in Baltimore. Crowds of 150,000 must be incredible. Our car seems to suit this course, we saw that last year when the Porsche won."
This is the American Le Mans Series
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Press Database u
Motorsportpress
RACE SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Fri., Aug. 31
Sat., Sept. 1
Sun., Sept. 2
IZOD IndyCar Series
Firestone Indy Lights
Star Mazda Series
USF2000 Series
American Le Mans Series Race
(3 hours, 15 minutes)
IZOD IndyCar
practice and qualifying sessions
practice and qualifying
USF2000
IZOD IndyCar Series race
(75 laps)
Firestone Indy Lights race
Star Mazda race
See More See More See More
PORSCHE PRESS RELEASE – American Le Mans Series, rd 7 Elkhart Lake, USA, qualifying: One-two in qualifying for Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
Joerg Bergmeister crowns 100th race with 1st win of the season,American Le Mans Series, rd 4 Lime Rock, USA (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
Joerg Bergmeister sets fifth quickest qualifying time American Le Mans Series, rd 5 Mosport, Canada (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
PORSCHE Press Release – Porsche Motorsport around the world: Newsletter 5 – August 2012 (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
Double win and points' lead for Porsche teams at International GT Open, races 5 / 6 in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
Posted by dedeporsche on August 25, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Bryan Sellers, Bryce Miller (USA), FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS, Joerg Bergmeister, Marco Holzer, Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, Porsche Motorsport, Sascha Maassen, Seth Neiman (USA), Track Events, Wolf Henzler
Tags: American Le Mans Series, Baltimore, Jörg Bergmeister, Marco Holzer, Patrick Long (USA), Porsche, porsche 911 gt3, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Seth Neiman, Wolf Henzler
PORSCHE PRESS RELEASE – American Le Mans Series, rd 7 Elkhart Lake, USA, qualifying: One-two in qualifying for Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
One-two in qualifying for Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Stuttgart. In his Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Marco Holzer posted his first pole position in the American Le Mans Series at Elkhart Lake.
On the legendary Road America race track in the US state of Wisconsin, which hosts round seven of the American Le Mans Series on Saturday, the Porsche works driver from Germany set a new qualifying record in the GT class.
The second quickest time, a mere 0.01 seconds behind the leader, went to his factory pilot colleague and five-time Road America winner Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) in the second Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
For Porsche, Marco Holzer's top time marks the first pole position so far this season in the American Le Mans Series.
Seth Neiman
With Holzer sharing driving duties with team owner Seth Neiman (USA), the #44 Flying Lizard Porsche takes off into the race from the head of the strong GT field for the first time ever in the race series featuring the world's fastest sports cars.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to have clinched my first pole in the American Le Mans Series. I'm really pleased for the team that our number 44 car is at the very front of the grid," says Marco Holzer. "This track is fantastic and it's great fun competing here. With the race running over four hours it's very long and a great deal can happen in this time. Still, pole position is always a great place to start from."
"The race weekend began very well for Porsche with positions one-two in qualifying," said Joerg Bergmeister, who has clinched three of his victories on this track with his current team mate Patrick Long (USA). "Already during free practice we were going very well so our good qualifying result actually comes as no great surprise."
At the wheel of Falken Tire's Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Porsche factory driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) set the eighth quickest time.
Bryan Sellers
Henzler teams up with Bryan Sellers (USA) for round seven in Elkhart Lake.
Bryce Miller (USA) turned the tenth quickest time in Paul Miller Racing's 911 which he shares with Sascha Maassen (Germany).
Bryce Miller
Sascha Maassen
The race in Elkhart Lake starts on Saturday, 18 August, at 14.30 hrs local time (21.30 hrs CEST) and runs over four hours. The race is broadcast live on http://www.americanlemans.com.
Qualifying result
1. Marco Holzer (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 2:04.415 minutes
2. Jörg Bergmeister (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.01 seconds
3. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.45
4. Bill Auberlen (USA), BMW E92 M3, + 0.49
5. Antonio Garcia (E), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.50
6. Johannes van Overbeek (USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.57
8. Wolf Henzler (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.23
10. Bryce Miller (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.76
1. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 2:12.773 minutes
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Press Database
Porsche claims podium spot at the Le Mans 24 hour race, WEC, rd 3, Le Mans 24 Hours, France (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
Posted by dedeporsche on August 17, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Autos & Vehicles, Bryan Sellers, Bryce Miller (USA), FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS, Motorsport News, Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, Porsche Motorsport, Porsche Motorsport around the world, Sascha Maassen, Seth Neiman, Track Events, Wolf Henzler
Tags: American Le Mans Series, Bryan Sellers (USA), Bryce Miller, factory pilot, Jörg Bergmeister, Marco Holzer, Patrick Long (USA), Porsche, Porsche 911, porsche 911 gt3, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Seth Neiman, Seth Neiman (USA), transportation, Wolf Henzler


Occasional dead bee colonies – at any time of the year – are a honey bee fact of life. In total, the possible reasons for these seasonal die-offs are too many to discuss. In fact, all of the reasons are not even known. In the wild, the bees seem to have a system to address this routine die-off phenomenon – if at all possible, a wild colony will cast swarms as often as possible. Somewhere, someway, some of these many swarms will survive the cold season and live long enough to . . . (you guessed it!) cast many smallish swarms the next season – and so it goes.
Natural colonies also do many other things to help with its constant struggle to survive. They have a well-known defensive system – the sting – that is used to defend food supplies (honey and pollen) that have been stored for dearth seasons. They use propolis to guard against bacterial invaders and other insects. They have internal nest structures that limit invasion by pests and predators (e.g. bee space), and, if possible, they put the nest in a sheltered location with a defendable entrance. Ironically, a colony even has ways (foreign odors and behavior perceptions) to defend against one of its most common invaders – robber honey bees from other colonies.
To survive genetically, a colony seems to have two cards to play – (1) newly mated queens leading new swarms, and (2) the occasional drone that is successful in passing the colony's genetic characteristics along to a new queen during the mating process. In any way possible, the struggling colony fights to survive. Many times they fail. Make no mistake – it's hard out there for a wild bee colony.
At the most fundamental level, all that any beekeeper is trying to accomplish is to assist with these wintering problems or even eliminate the challenges that a colony faces. We provide housing, food, protection from the elements, and we try to help them stay healthy through chemical or behavioral means (e.g. screen bottom boards). We try to reduce the risks of swarming by taking over the genetic future survival of the colony. Beekeepers install selected queens that are well suited for this type of assisted existence. Many times both beekeepers and their bees fail. Make no mistake – it's hard out there for a beekeeper and his/her bees.
In the wild or in my hives, sometimes colonies die. I don't like the occurrence in either wild locations or in my managed hive boxes. In managed beehives, it is a discouraging, messy task to clean the residue. The heavy odor of decay makes the situation just a bit worse.
I do the best I can to forestall any colony's death, but when one goes, I can, at least, truthfully tell myself that the colony would not have fared much better on it's own. The beekeeper's prime Winter goal is to address as many challenges as possible, and then wish the bees good luck. We hope that most – if not all – will survive the season. Sometimes they don't. What then?
Depending on your location, various procedures are required to recoup losses. In warm climates, the wax moth is a relentless taskmaster. The combs are often destroyed before the colony is completely dead. Warm climate beekeepers must be doubly alert or their problem is compounded – they have lost bees and comb.
In cooler climates, the situation is still bad, but not so urgent. The first thing with winterkilled equipment is to determine what caused the colony to die. The obvious concern is that spore-forming American foulbrood (AFB) may have been the problem. If foulbrood has been a problem in the past, contact the state apiary inspector and have a competent assessment made. At times, Nosema is a problem. Unfortunately, Nosema is difficult to diagnose, and the remedy is somewhat expensive. Increasingly, Nosema treatment is simply queen replacement. Excessive defecation spotting is an indication of this type of dysentery.
Starvation has distinct characteristics. The cluster will be in a tight (and dead) group, probably near the center of the colony with single dead bees scattered about. Frequently, the dead cluster is right at the top of the colony. Upon removing frames from the colony, many bees will be seen in cells with their heads toward the center of the comb. Meager amounts of honey, if any are usually all that remains. Occasionally, patches of honey can be found scattered throughout the hive, but bees were unable to get to it before chilling.
While it may look alive this colony was winterkilled. the queen is to the left.
Once the reason for the winterkill has been determined, you need to decide what to do with the equipment. Diseased equipment should be destroyed or sterilized depending on the disease pathogen. Colonies that starved should have dead bees shaken from the equipment and comb as much as possible. True, new bees will remove all the dead bees from the frames, but assisting the bees with the task can save critical time.
Even after most of the dead bees are removed, a stench will be noticeable and unpleasant. Many bees will have filled cells with their bodies. If the humidity is high, their dead bodies will fill cells and become soggy. Bang the frames on the side to jar as many out as possible. Rarely are all of the bees removed, but do what you can.
If possible, don't give the new colony only frames that need clearing. Let the new bees become established, and as they grow, add the occasional frame of dead bee combs. I stack such obnoxious equipment outside on a solid board, and soundly close the top. If cracks remain, I use tape to cover these holes. Mold will grow on the combs, and they will look unusable. Keep mice out of the stacked equipment. Stacking outside keeps the stench outside.
Unless you've had extremely bad luck, some of the colonies probably survived the Winter. Depending on the strength of the surviving colonies, bees and brood can be taken from surviving colonies, along with a new queen, and put in refurbished winterkilled equipment. The strength of the split is an arbitrary decision you'll have to make. The stronger the split, the more likely the colony will survive. However, the stronger the split, the more likely you'll not get a honey crop from the original colony.
I usually suggest placing a mated queen in the reestablished colony as opposed to letting the bees produce their own. If winterkills have been a problem, you should do everything possible to improve your chances for the next Winter. If bees are required to produce their queens, too much time is lost during the nectar flow. Brood and bees from several colonies can be mixed to form a new colony. Smoke or some other disruptive agent (air freshener or newspaper barriers) should be used to mix bees from different colonies and minimize fighting.
Book your package bees as early as you can. Increasingly, package bees are expensive but readily available if you book early. Package bee installation is a simple and proven procedure for getting hive equipment back into operation. Package producers, listed in the bee journals, should be contracted as soon as possible in order to book the arrival dates most convenient for your location (around dandelion and apple bloom time.) Check with you local bee club. They sometimes buy in bulk.
If bees are all that's needed, queenless packages can be purchased. Colonies that survived the Winter in weakened conditions, but alive, can be boosted with the addition of a few pounds of healthy adult bees. Contact individual package producers for the details on queen right or queenless packages purchases. They may or may not be available.
Colony splits have the advantage of not having the "post package population slump." After a package of bees is installed, the adult population declines until the colony's queen produces new bees. Since brood is included in a colony split, adult population decline is not as great, and the colony builds up faster and is better prepared to face the cold weather.
To the best of my knowledge, there is not a "standard" split. Contact beekeepers who are selling splits. Ask how many frames, how many adult bees, and how much brood will make up the splits. Determine if frame replacement is expected. It would probably be a good idea to check with the state inspector to be sure the individual has a good record of disease control. Occasionally special deals may be worked out with another beekeeper for you to provide some of the manual labor required to make the splits. Prices range from$100-$150 per split depending on the size of the split in brood, adult bees and number of frames. It makes sense that on-site pickup of the splits is required. Shipping splits would be difficult.
I seriously doubt that there's a beekeeper in the world who doesn't have a slight rise in blood pressure at the mention of a six-pound swarm. In fact, swarms are an excellent way to restock winterkilled hives. The only problem is that they are so unpredictable and, due to mite predation, they have become somewhat uncommon. They are also inaccessible at times – requiring great feats of strength, bravery, and agility (maybe other descriptive terms would have been more appropriate here). I must confess that they are sometimes simply not worth the risk. Another confession? Sometimes I hold some winterkill equipment for the swarms that come my way. If of course, such swarms are never from my hives.
"Dead-Outs" are simply colonies that die during the Winter – for whatever reason. There are few reasons to wish for colony winterkills, but if it happens, you have a window to perform routine hive maintenance and late season busy work.
Increasingly, I am agreeing with those people, who years ago, were recommending the disposal of old, dark combs. Use common sense. If the frame is still perfectly useable, then use it, but if it needs extensive repair, is distorted, or has a lot of drone brood, toss it. (Actually, they make great kindling for a fire to keep you warm while working.) The reason for my change-of-heart is the possibility that pesticides are accumulating in the old wax and the increased concerns about old combs harboring viral and bacterial pathogens. My general recommendation . . . use old comb, but don't become attached to it. Toss it when necessary.
A sad mess. This situation smells just as bad as it looks.
Bees busily apply propolis in the spring; you busily remove it. While the frames are out, scrape propolis and burr comb so the frame fits more easily within the hive body. I'm not sure why, but always save the propolis scrapings. I've never sold any, but I confess that I do like the smell of fresh propolis. Use a heat gun to soften propolis before scraping. It makes the hardened propolis much easier to remove.
There will never be a better time to scrap, repair, and paint the hive equipment. It's cathartic. From a dead hive, you remodel, restore, and reinstall a new colony. I feel frugal, but a radio and a warm fire help prevent boredom during this task. If you mark or brand your equipment, do it now, just before repainting.
From the bleak disappointing death of a colony arises the birth of a new, refurbished colony in a clean hive. High colony losses are indicative of management procedures that need to be improved. But clearly, you should be prepared for some colony deaths each year. Take it in stride and prepare the equipment for the re-establishment of a new colony the next Spring. Thoughts of Spring can make the coldest Winter day more tolerable.


text:
Volume 79, Issue 936
Performance of clinical referral criteria for bone densitometry in patients under 65 years of age assessed by spine bone mineral density
K Kayan,
D de Takats,
R Ashford,
J A Kanis,
E V McCloskey
WHO Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Sheffield, Sheffield
Correspondence to:
Dr E V McCloskey
WHO Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK; e.v.mccloskeyshef.ac.uk
Background: A case finding strategy based on a number of established risk factors has been suggested by Royal College of Physicians' (RCP) guidelines to optimise bone densitometry referrals for assessment of osteoporosis.
Objective: The performance of clinical referral criteria was examined in women and men aged <65 years referred for bone mineral density (BMD) assessment.
Study design: Cross sectional observational study over six months.
Results: Though BMD tended to be lower in patients with multiple criteria for referral, differences from those referred with a single criterion were not statistically significant. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis was higher than expected in both sexes, 11.6% in women and 27.5% in men (expected prevalences were 8% and <1% respectively). BMD was significantly lower in patients referred with a single criterion compatible with the RCP guidelines than in age matched controls or in those patients referred with non-RCP criteria (mean (SD) Z score –0.47(1.38) v 0.35(1.41), p<0.001). Low body mass index was also significantly associated with a lower than expected BMD. In contrast, spine BMD was higher than expected in those with self reported back pain, loss of height, or spinal curvature (p = NS).
Conclusion: Most of the criteria recommended by the RCP performed well in identifying relatively younger patients with low BMD and osteoporosis. However, prior fractures and corticosteroid use did not reach statistical significance probably due to inclusion of all energy fractures, and current or past steroid use of unspecified dose or duration. Criteria like loss of height and/or spine curvature perform relatively poorly, reflecting the need for further investigation to better identify those needing BMD assessment.
densitometry
spine bone mineral density
BMD, bone mineral density
HRT, hormone replacement therapy
RCP, Royal College of Physicians
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/pmj.79.936.581
Low bone mass, as measured by bone densitometry, is widely used as a working definition of osteoporosis and the World Health Organisation has published criteria for diagnostic categories based on the deviation of measured bone mineral density (BMD) from mean values in young healthy subjects.1 Bone densitometry when used in isolation from other clinical risk factors for fracture has a relatively low sensitivity for future fracture risk and it is widely accepted that population-wide screening is not merited, particularly at relatively young ages (for example, the perimenopausal years).2,3 Therefore, current recommendations advocate a case finding strategy.2,4,5 Recently, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has published clinical guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in which recommendations for bone densitometry are suggested based on the presence of certain clinical referral criteria.6 Similar clinical referral criteria have been used locally in Sheffield for several years.7 The purpose of this study was to optimise a case finding strategy for BMD assessments by examining the relationship between the reasons for referral and the detection of lower than expected spine BMD in men and women aged less than 65 years having BMD assessments in our unit.
The study comprised all women and men less than 65 years of age referred by general practitioners and hospital consultants for a bone densitometry scan between 1 April 1998 and 30 September 1998. One of the authors (DT) appraised all the referral letters and recorded the reasons for referral in a separate form. The referrals were grouped as in table 1. Only subjects referred for a first BMD scan were included. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine (L1–L4) of all patients using a Hologic QDR1000 or a QDR2000plus. Where necessary, vertebrae affected by fracture or osteoarthritis were removed from the computation of BMD. Daily calibration and quality assurance measures were performed as recommended by the manufacturers. The coefficient of variation of spine BMD for the Hologic equipment in our centre is approximately 1.2%. We have previously determined that the manufacturer's reference data for spine BMD are appropriate for our local population in Sheffield.
Categories and descriptions of the various reasons for referral for bone densitometry
The BMD measurements, T scores, and Z scores were recorded along with patient's height, weight, and body mass index. All the data were entered into a database and checked by one of the authors (KK). The subjects were classified based on their spine BMD using the World Health Organisation criteria: T score <−2.5, between −1 and −2.5, and >−1 as osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal respectively. Low body mass index per se is not specified as a criterion for referral at Sheffield (though anorexia nervosa is) but is recognised by the RCP and others as a significant risk factor. We therefore also analysed those subjects with a low body mass index defined as a value <19 kg/m2 in both sexes. The hip BMD was not undertaken as part of our routine practice in this relatively young population at the time of this study.
The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows version 9. One way analysis of variance was used to test for statistically significant differences in age, weight, height, and body mass index among the referral groups. The individual referral groups were compared to the normal reference population of the Hologic data using a one sample t test for the mean Z score of each of the referral criteria and the level of significance was taken as a p value <0.05. The expected prevalences of osteoporosis and osteopenia across the age group studied were estimated by calculating the area under the curves of spine BMD for both sexes using appropriate thresholds derived from Hologic reference data. In the event of a criterion not being associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, a further examination was undertaken to see if subgroups at higher risk could be identified within it.
Of the 605 individuals aged less than 65 years referred for a first BMD measurement in the six months of the study, 554 (91.6%) were women and 51 (8.4 %) were men. The characteristics of the study population are shown in table 2. The men were significantly younger (p = 0.030), heavier and taller (p<0.001) than the women. Interestingly, the absolute mean value of the spine BMD was similar in both sexes so that the mean spine BMD in men was significantly lower than expected for their age (mean Z score, p<0.001). Two or more clinical criteria for measurement of BMD were present in 45.7% of women and 35.3% of men. While there was evidence of a trend to have a lower spine BMD in those women with three or more criteria, the differences between mean spine BMD in individuals with single or multiple reasons for referral were not statistically significant in either sex (p = 0.111 and p = 0.562 in women and men respectively).
Characteristics of the study population; values are means (SD)
Of the 301 women and 33 men referred with a single criterion, 38.5 % of the women were referred with a reason compatible with the RCP guidelines in contrast to 93.9% of men, reflecting the number of women referred for BMD measurement to guide decisions about use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The mean spine BMD was significantly lower in subjects referred with a single RCP criterion compared with those with non-RCP criteria whether expressed as absolute values of BMD (0.92 (0.16) v 0.99 (0.15) g/cm2, p<0.001) or as age and sex adjusted Z scores (table 3, p<0.001).
Characteristics of subjects referred with a single criterion for bone densitometry; values are mean (SD) unless stated otherwise
The characteristics of the 301 women and 33 men referred with only one criterion for densitometry are shown in table 3. Of the women, 40.5% were characterised as perimenopausal women in whom the decision to start HRT would be influenced by the results of a BMD measurement and 8.6% were categorised as having oestrogen deficiency. The latter were significantly younger than the perimenopausal group and also had a significantly lower than expected spine BMD (mean Z score –0.58, p = 0.014). In contrast, women in the perimenopausal group were found to have a significantly greater than expected spine BMD (mean Z score +0.37, p = 0.001) with prevalences of osteopenia and osteoporosis that were similar to or lesser than that expected from a random population sample of the same age.
The majority of the 33 men were referred either because of corticosteroid use (comprising 42.4% of single criterion referrals) or a concurrent disease associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis (comprising 30.3% of referrals). In contrast, corticosteroid use or associated diseases only accounted for 19.0% and 7.2% respectively of all referrals in women unrelated to the menopause or oestrogen deficiency. The lower estimates in women reflected a greater number of women being referred for other reasons including prior or ongoing treatment (largely with HRT) and miscellaneous reasons that included a positive family history of osteoporosis and patient's concern (59 women compared with one man in total, corresponding to 38.6% and 3.0% of all referrals unrelated to menopause or oestrogen in both sexes). Back pain and height loss, or spinal curvature, were uncommon reasons for referral and similar numbers were observed in men and women. The proportions of referrals because of radiographic osteopenia (9.1% v 5.6 %) or prior fractures (5.9% v 4.9 %) were similar in both sexes.
Radiographic osteopenia referrals had the lowest BMD compared with the average expected for their ages (mean Z score –0.97, p = 0.003) with a prevalence of osteoporosis of 45%. Only 15% of such referrals had bone density values lying within the normal category. Like women with oestrogen deficiency, the patients with diseases associated with osteoporosis were significantly younger than the other patient groups. The reduction in mean spine BMD was also similar to that observed in oestrogen deficient women and was of borderline statistical significance (mean Z score −0.58, p = 0.065). Prior fractures and corticosteroid use were also associated with lower than expected average spine BMD (mean Z score −0.38 and –0.28 respectively) but these reductions were not statistically significant (p = 0.162 and p = 0.191, respectively).
In contrast, women who were taking or had taken antiresorptive therapies (primarily HRT) in the absence of any previous bone density scan had the highest mean age at the time of scan, and yet had a higher than expected mean spine BMD (Z score +1.08, p = 0.029). Those patients referred with back pain alone (four women and one man) were heavier (not significant) and had a higher mean body mass index (not significant) than those in other categories. Spine BMD was much higher than expected for age but this was not significant (p = 0.305) because of the small numbers involved (4/5 had BMD lying in the normal category). Likewise, loss of height or spinal curvature was associated with a slightly higher than expected spine BMD, though one of the seven patients had a spine BMD lying in the osteoporotic category.
Regardless of the reason for referral, 28 subjects (4.6%, 23 women and five men) had a low body mass index. This group of patients were significantly younger than those with higher body mass index (mean age 44.2 v 50.9, p<0.001) and the mean spine Z score was significantly lower than expected for age (−0.90 (1.46), p = 0.003). This effect persisted when the analysis was restricted to those individuals outside the referral categories with known effects on BMD (that is, excluding those with oestrogen deficiency, associated diseases, corticosteroid use and prior fracture, mean Z score −0.78 (1.30), p = 0.021). Only two of the women contemplating the use of HRT had a low body mass index but both were osteoporotic. The prevalence of osteoporosis in these women with a normal body mass index (20–25 kg/m2) was only 5.7% and this fell further in women with a higher body mass index (25–30 kg/m2, prevalence of osteoporosis 2.2%). No cases of osteoporosis were detected in obese women (body mass index >30) referred for a perimenopausal reason.
Our study establishes the usefulness of criteria identified within recent RCP guidelines as indications for BMD assessment. Thus, radiological evidence of osteopenia, oestrogen deficiency, and diseases associated with osteoporosis have performed well as indicators of increased osteoporotic risk in this study. While the effects of prior fracture and corticosteroid use were not statistically significant, it is important to remember that the criteria applied were relatively broad and included both high and low energy fractures or past and current use of corticosteroids of unspecified dose. Only patients referred with kyphosis failed to show a reduction in BMD but this probably reflected the absence of a prior spine radiograph to document the cause of the kyphosis. If due to degenerative changes rather than osteoporotic vertebral fracture, the kyphosis would not be expected to be associated with low bone mass. Furthermore, any degenerative changes (for example, osteophytes, end plate sclerosis, facet joint arthritis) may cause an artefactual increase in BMD.8,9 BMD assessments at other skeletal sites such as the forearm or hip would be more informative in such patients. BMD assessments at the forearm using dual x-ray absorptiometry (Osteometer DTX200) in the seven patients referred with kyphosis revealed a mean Z score of +0.02, confirming a low risk of osteoporosis in this group of patients. If we had also measured BMD at the hip it is highly likely that the prevalence of osteopenia or osteoporosis would have been even higher in these risk groups. Total hip BMD measurements are now routinely undertaken in all clinical referrals to our unit.
In contrast to the RCP criteria, other reasons for referral did not successfully identify patients at higher risk of low bone mass. For example, mean values for spine BMD in perimenopausal women considering HRT use, current HRT users and those concerned about the risk of osteoporosis (included in miscellaneous reasons) were similar to or greater than those expected for their age. These observations may result from the self selection for referral of women who are more aware of health related issues who generally lead a healthier lifestyle and consequently have a lower prevalence of osteoporosis. The observations are compatible with the report of a lower prevalence of risk factors for osteoporosis in women self selecting to take HRT10 and a relatively low prevalence of osteoporosis in women referred from a community menopause clinic with no identifiable risk factor for osteoporosis.11 In our study, menopausal women considering the use of HRT as the sole criterion for BMD measurement comprised 40% of the total number of women referred. A similar proportion was reported in an audit of BMD scanning from a community menopause clinic.11 Thus, avoidance of the use of BMD assessments in such women would have a large impact on the throughput of a BMD unit in the setting of scanty BMD services in the UK.12 The major reason for undertaking scans in such patients is, however, to decide whether to start or continue with HRT and it would be important to determine the impact of such measurements on patient management before concluding that they should be discouraged. It has been recommended that doctors should provide adequate knowledge to these women about the other factors that are likely to influence their risk of fracture and some indicators of how the measurements might affect their lifestyle, management of their condition, and cost of medical care.13
Better use of BMD in this group may be achieved by targeting those with lower values of body mass index in whom the prevalence of osteoporosis was relatively high in our study (25%). Low body weight (<55 kg) has been shown to be associated with low bone mass in a similar clinical study.14 Better targeting of scans may be achieved in other groups of patients. For example, in seeking a family history of osteoporosis, many patients appear to confuse osteoporosis and osteoarthritis so that questions specifically about a history of low trauma fractures may enhance the detection rate for osteoporosis.
We conclude that most of the criteria recommended by the RCP as indicators for bone densitometry assessment have performed well in this study. The fact that prior fractures and corticosteroid use did not reach statistical significance probably reflected inclusion of all energy fractures, and current or past steroid use of unspecified dose or duration. This study also reiterates the important role of spine radiographs as a first investigation in patients with height loss or kyphosis and those with back pain before considering the need for a BMD measurement. Low body weight or body mass index provides a useful clinical tool for better targeting of investigation by dual x-ray absorptiometry.
We would like to thank Ms D Charlesworth and Ms J Bostock for performing all the BMD scans.
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Copyright 2003 The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine

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