Juan Pablo Montoya fast, thrilled by Porsche LMP1 test debut (VIDEO)

Photo: Porsche
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Yeah, we can put to bed the notion that Juan Pablo Montoya will be racing the Porsche 919 Hybrid in 2016 – at least in actuality, because in theory, the dream of JPM racing one of the world’s most technologically advanced race cars is a tantalizing prospect.

But with Montoya having completed his first test aboard the rocketship on wheels today at the Bahrain International Circuit, we at least know a reference point what he’s capable of.

Montoya, who’s far from a rookie, led the Bahrain Rookie Test the day after the conclusion of the FIA World Endurance Championship event yesterday with a best time of 1:40.861.

Other notable runners included Mitch Evans also in the Porsche 919 Hybrid, Sam Bird at Toyota Gazoo Racing, Richie Stanaway at Audi Sport Team Joest and Nick Catsburg and Phillip Eng in the Porsche 911 RSR in GTE.

“It’s so predictable that it just invites you to hustle the hell out of it. That’s been the biggest thing for me so far. I need to figure out that balance of driving it fast and over-driving the car,” Montoya told assembled reporters in Bahrain, via Sportscar365.

“It’s shocking because it’s so good that it’s actually in a way kind of easy. But it’s really easy to go over.”

View some images and a Porsche Vimeo video below.

Motocross: Chase Sexton to miss Hangtown after midweek practice crash

Sexton Hangtown practice crash
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Chase Sexton announced on Instagram he will sit out this weekend’s Pro Motocross race at Hangtown in Rancho Cordova, California after a practice crash on Tuesday left him with a concussion.

Sexton’s crash on Tuesday happened during a test session at Fox Raceway.

“Bummed to make this post but I’ll be sitting out this weekend,” Sexton said. “As you guys saw I had a big one during qualifying at Pala, then another one on Tuesday this week that banged me up pretty good. Nothing broken just need a few days to get back to 100%.”

Despite his crash in the first qualification session in Pala, California, Sexton mounted up for both motos and finished second in each race behind his teammate Jett Lawrence, who was making his Motocross debut and won with a pair of first-place finishes. Sexton padded his SuperMotocross points’ lead over the injured Eli Tomac, who is still second in the combined Supercross and Motocross standings despite missing the SX finale at Salt Lake City and the outdoor opener with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Sexton has an advantage of 78 points over Cooper Webb and cannot give up his SMX lead by missing this round.

At stake, however, is the risk of losing ground to Lawrence in the Pro Motocross championship. Sexton currently trails his teammate by six points and is liable to lose significant ground this weekend.

In addition to his concussion, Sexton has also been diagnosed with mononucleosis and the combination of the two conditions caused the team to make the difficult decision to keep him out of the lineup at Hangtown.

“I’m super-bummed to miss this weekend’s race,” Sexton said in a press release. “I feel like I rode well at Pala, and I was really looking forward to Hangtown because it’s a good track for me. Unfortunately, I was already pretty banged up from my qualifying crash on Saturday, and now with mono and Tuesday’s concussion on top of it, I want to do the right thing and hopefully be back on the track soon.”

A return date for Sexton has not yet been announced.

Other 2023 Injury News

450 riders
Eli Tomac, Achilles tendon | It was just a freak deal
Justin Barcia,
collarbone and shoulder
Jason Anderson, vertebrae
Christian Craig, elbow
Marvin Musquin, wrist
Malcolm Stewart, knee | Signs two-year extension
Aaron Plessinger, hip | returned at Salt Lake City
Dylan Ferrandis, concussion | Will not return until Motocross
Cooper Webb,
concussion | returned at Pala

250 riders
Nate Thrasher, hip
Stilez Robertson, leg
Cameron McAdoo, shoulder
Seth Hammaker, arm and wrist
Austin Forkner, knee | Injury isn’t the hardest part
Jo Shimoda, collarbone | returned at Atlanta
Jalek Swoll, arm | returned at Pala