ADT/Champion Audi R8 Le Mans 2004 Race Week #4
First six hours report, Including photos from pre-race and first 6
hours of the race
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LE MANS, France (June 12, 2004) - An unforeseen incident on lap 30 caused considerable damage to the left front end of the #2 Audi R8 of Team ADT Champion Racing. JJ Lehto, who started in 6th position and moved himself up to third in the first lap, crashed at over 280 kph going into the Porsche curves. A previous car leaked oil and neither Lehto Veloqx rival Allan McNish saw the oil and went off together hard into the tire barrier. "There were no flags, no warnings, nothing!" stated an extremely frustrated and disappointed Lehto. "I had no idea what was about to happen to me. Suddenly I couldn't steer the car and I just crashed. It was like ice out there." The car was towed out of the gravel and Lehto drove it back to the pits where the team worked in unison to quickly repair the car. Brad Kettler, Technical Director for Team ADT Champion Racing had this to say about the repairs. "The left front suspension was completely torn off the car and there was substantial underbody damage, hydraulic damage to the brake masters and clutch masters, steering shaft, brakes and body work on the left side. The team did a great job in repairing the car and she should be as good as ever. Marco Werner replaced Lehto after the repairs. Lehto was unhurt during the incident. Team ADT Champion Racing is currently 8 laps behind the leader. |
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| Hawaiian Tropic Girls...a Le Mans tradition | All the drivers pose for a group photo before the race | One last check by the officials as the car waits on the grid | ADT/Champion Audi R8 drivers during the pre-race drivers parade |
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| Marco Werner and Emanuele Pirro consult with chief mechanic Bobby Green before the race | ...or are they posing for pictures...? | The starting field sets off on the reconnaissance lap | The start of the 72nd 24hrs of Le Mans... |
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| ...JJ Lehto into third after the first lap, from sixth starting position | JJ Lehto chases Allen McNish into Indianapolis...a minute later they both went off on oil at the Porsche Curves | Marco Werner does four stints to make up ground lost to accident repairs | Marco passes slower traffic on the front straight |
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| Fuel-only pit stop for Werner | Pit lane at sunset | Emanuele Pirro dashes to take over from Marco Werner just before sunset... | ...and the crew replaces a damaged nose in quick time |