ADT/Champion Petit Le Mans Qualifying Report

(Including photos from practice and qualifying at Road Atlanta)
 
BRASELTON, Ga. (September 24, 2004) - The two car team of Team ADT Champion Racing will start tomorrow's Petit Le Mans race, round Eight in the American Le Mans Series, from the 3rd and 4th positions on the 35 car grid. Pierre Kaffer, driving the No. 2 Audi R8 will start on the inside next to the No. 38 "sister car", the car Marco Werner qualified.

While capturing the pole is always a goal for any team, the unique format of this race -1,000 miles (394 laps) or 10 hours, whichever comes first- the true test for the winning team will be the reliability factor which the Audi R8 has proven it's worth consistently over the last five years.

Qualifying driver Pierre Kaffer was able to post a respectable time of 1:12.556, just a fraction ahead of Marco Werner's time of 1:12.979. A shortened session of eight minutes reduced the amount of track time during the usual twenty minute qualifying session.

The sixth annual Petit Le Mans will get the green flag at 12 noon (Eastern) on Saturday, September 25. The race will cover 1,000 miles, or 10 hours, which ever comes first on the 2.54-mile, 12-turn Road Atlanta circuit. Qualifying will be held on Friday, Sept. 24.

The race will be televised live in North America by the SPEED Channel starting at 11:30 am (EDT) and in Europe by MotorsTV. American Le Mans Series Radio will have live coverage of qualifying and the race that can be heard online at www.americanlemans.com.

Driver quotes:

JJ Lehto (Finland): "The condition of the actual circuit is a lot different than in previous years - the surface has been dirty and therefore very slippery over the past couple of days - which makes tire choice very difficult. But we've worked through a program with Michelin and things have improved although we may even make changes for the race warm-up. The beginning of the race may be tough but I believe it will come to us in the later stages."

Marco Werner (Germany): "Qualifying was interesting between the two Champion Audis, the two Dyson Lolas and of course the Creation over from Europe. This competition will be tough in the race. The car was not perfect in qualifying but I am satisfied. Although JJ [Lehto] and I have already won the ALMS P1 title we are both determined to win this race - it is very special - and both of us always want to win. With each day our Audi has got better and better so we stand a good chance I am sure."

Johnny Herbert (England): "I'm very happy with the car and am hopeful I can win the Petit Le Mans for a second consecutive year. The amount of traffic makes this race particularly difficult so it's vital to have a car that is both good on and off line for overtaking. I'm delighted to be back here with Team ADT Champion Racing - winning the Le Mans Endurance Series for Audi was satisfying but I've missed racing over here."

Pierre Kaffer (Germany): "I enjoyed qualifying and although it is a little frustrating to have been pushed back to the second row right at the end we are in good shape. We've got a good set-up on the Champion Audi which allows us to make consistent times. It's a longer than normal endurance race, just like the Sebring race I won this year on my prototype debut. The key is to avoid problems which, on this track, and with over 30 cars racing for almost 10 hours, will be difficult. I love the circuit - it's like a little Nordschleife, the original Nurburgring circuit in my native Germany."

DRIVERS TEAM TIME SPEED

1) J. Weaver/B. Leitzinger Dyson Racing 1:12.136 1:26.761mph

2) N. Minassian/J. Campbell Creation 1:12.421 1:26.262

3) J. Herbert/P. Kaffer ADT Champion Racing 1:12.556 1:26.027

4) J. Lehto/M. Werner ADT Champion Racing 1:12.979 1:25.296

5) J. Field/D. Dayton Intersport Racing 1:13.733 1:24.015

 

Photos from Petit Le Mans practice and qualifying