Champion Racing - 2003 ALMS Sears Point
Race Day Photos Part Two - First restart through podium
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Werner's factory Audi leads Herbert and Weaver as the green flag falls to restart the race with approx 2/3 distance remaining... |
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The leaders and backmarkers head up to Turn Two...Werner well ahead...Herbert taking the outside line...Weaver the inside line... |
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...Weaver gets blocked behind a slower Porsche on the inside... |
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...and dodges left, apparently to split the two Porsches, but is blocked by a second Porsche and is forced to hit the brakes to avoid contact... |
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...Weaver's MG leaves black streaks as he locks up to avoid collision, which also takes away his ability to turn the corner... |
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...thus he goes straight on, making contact with Herbert's Audi, which had stayed clear to the outside throughout the maneuver... |
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Tire smoke and a sideways bump is the only damage from the incident, and the pair carry on, with Weaver making a move to pass Herbert shortly thereafter |
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Not long after the restart, Herbert pitted under green with a suspected puncture, which turned out to be a severe case of rubber pickup. The stop put Herbert near the back of the pack... |
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...and since there was nothing to lose by pitting at the next full-course caution, Herbert came in for four fresh tires (only) , and on a light fuel load chased down and passed the third-placed Dallara to claim the third podium spot |
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JJ Lehto congratulates Johnny Herbert on his awesome drive through the field, closing a near-30-second gap to the Dallara in just eight minutes as the race time ran out, claiming third place overall... |
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Five hats don't protect JJ from Magnums of local Champagne |
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The confetti flies in celebration of the overall race podium at Infineon Raceway Sears Point... |