Portland Int'l Raceway Preview & Testing Photos
 

PORTLAND, OR. (July 23, 2004) - Team ADT Champion Racing stayed on the west coast this week for the second leg of the back-to-back American Le Mans Series races. After a "text book" win last weekend at Infineon Raceway, the crew packed up and headed north to continue their winning streak this weekend at Portland International Raceway. The Grand Prix of Portland, July 23-25, marks the fifth race for the team on the nine race schedule.

The last time the American Le Mans Series visited the 1.944-mile road racing circuit was in 2001. Coincidentally that was also the last time Team ADT Champion driver JJ Lehto raced here but at that time, JJ was piloting a BMW M3.

"I enjoyed racing here a few years ago but now I'm anxious to compete here in the Audi R8," said Lehto. "The straits on the front and backstretch are very fast and you can fly through the "S's" if you don't get caught in traffic."

Portland International Raceway is a new track for Lehto's teammate, Marco Werner, but given Werner's history with new tracks, it shouldn't be a problem.

Team ADT Champion Racing (Pompano Beach, FL) hopes to come away with this weekend with their fourth consecutive win.

The Portland Grand Prix gets the green flag at 1 p.m. (PDT) on Sunday, July 25. The SPEED Channel will feature round five of the American Le Mans Series with a live telecast of the Portland Grand Prix, live from Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, Sunday, July 25, at 4 p.m. (EDT).

Marco Werner (Germany). "This is a completely new track for me so I am excited to be here. I just wish it wasn't so hot. I've been very happy with the car and the team and of course JJ so I hope this weekend will be the same."

JJ Lehto (Finland). "This weekend is going to be hot! I haven't driven here since 2001 (BMW M3) so I really won't know what the track will be like until practice on Friday. Our car has been really good lately so I'm sure it will be good here too."

 
JJ Lehto in the ADT/Champion Audi R8 during the "Drive Through Portland" event, the Tuesday morning of race week (Photo by Kiwi) JJ Lehto during Friday testing at Portland Lehto set fast time of the Friday test session
Lehto completes his stint Setup changes by the crew during a pit stop Marco Werner prepares for his first laps at Portland Marco Werner
Marco Werner at Portland Int'l Raceway Team Electrician Ray Grienke at his workbench (Photo by Keith)