11
June (Le Mans, France - First Practice Sessions) --
Emanuele Pirro claimed
a provisional second row start position for this weekend’s 24 Hours of
Le Mans for Team ADT Champion Racing. The reigning American Le Mans
Series champion who is partnered by JJ Lehto and Stefan Johansson in the
round-the-clock sportscar race, set the fourth fastest time in the
opening qualifying sessions.
Pirro, who has
triumphed at Le Mans for the last three years, stopped the clock at 3min
37.316secs, an average speed of 142.81mph, around the 8.48-mile track in
the 2002-specification Audi R8. Each drove during the four-hour
opening time trials split in to two, two-hour sessions with a one-hour
interval.
A
minor brake problem restricted the Audi Sport North America-supported
R8’s pace in the opening two hour test - Lehto setting the fifth
quickest time (3:39.430) - but once resolved and benefiting from a drop
in temperature on a very warm, humid night in France, Emanuele reeled
off a series of fast laps.
The concluding
four-hour qualifying session is staged tomorrow (THURS) night. The 71st
running of the legendary race in France roars in to action at 10am (ET)
on Saturday.
Emanuele Pirro (41), of Italy: “It was a good night with only a couple of minor problems which were easily solved. I am also quite happy with my qualifying time - although I am determined to improve it tomorrow if the weather stays dry.”
JJ Lehto (36), of Finland: “Everything went according to plan - it was a normal day in the ‘office’. The one worry was the number of small stones lying on the track at various corners following incidents but then I guess it’s the same for everyone.”
Stefan
Johansson
(46), of Sweden: “There was a small brake problem early on but that was
quickly resolved. The Audi has performed well in race trim tonight and
we’re looking in real good shape.”
Brad Kettler,
Champion Racing’s Technical Director: “I’m very pleased with our
evening’s work. We got quicker and quicker during the night – we have a
good base to work from for tomorrow and the race itself.”
Rod Bymaster, Audi Sport North America’s Motorsport Manager: “It was a good, workmanlike performance. I think that the racing times between the Bentleys and our Audi will be closer than in qualifying. It’s shaping up to be a good race.”
Provisional Qualifying times after 2 of 4 Qualifying Practice sessions:
1) Kristensen/Capello/Smith, Bentley Speed 8,
3:32.843
2) Brabham/Herbert/Blundell Bentley Speed 8, 3:35.222
3) Biela/Salo/McCarthy, Audi R8, 3:37.076
4) Pirro/Lehto/Johansson Audi R8,
3:37.316
5) Lammers/Bosch/Wallace, Dome S101/Judd, 3:37.350
6) Ara/Magnussen/Werner, Audi R8, 3:37.691