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LAKEVILLE, CT. (July 03, 2004) - Team ADT Champion Racing will start from the front row for the inaugural New England Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut. JJ Lehto found his fastest time (48:134) early in qualifying and then parked the #38 Audi R8 to preserve the tires for Monday's 2:45 minutes race.
The Dyson team, strongest competitors to Champion Racing, has the hometown "advantage" as the team's race shop is less than an hour's drive from the track. For Team ADT Champion Racing, it couldn't be more opposite. This is the first time both drivers, JJ Lehto and Marco Werner, have driven the 1.54-mile circuit. It's also the first time an Audi R8 has raced on the short and bumpy circuit.
Traffic will most likely be the biggest factor in winning the race. 27 cars in four different classes will all be on track at the same time and lap times vary from 47.962 to 1:01.135. Champion Racing (Pompano Beach, FL) has high hopes though as they are still relishing their first place win from last weekend at Mid-Ohio.
The New England Grand Prix will be Round Three of the 2004 season for the ALMS and will include a two-hour, 45-minute timed event on Monday, July 5, starting at 3 p.m. (EDT). The race will be televised live by SPEED Channel in North America and MotorsTV in Europe and will be broadcast live by the American Le Mans Series Radio Web online at www.americanlemans.com.
Driver quotes:
JJ Lehto (Finland): "We had a little bit of a hectic morning because we had a leak on the radiator and spent some time fixing that. We changed the car a lot after the first practice yesterday and we kind of liked it in a way but then there were some other things we didn't like so we went back to set-ups. Qualifying was the maximum effort for us. I was able to do a couple of similar lap times but I couldn't gain or improve so I thought I would come in and save the tires."
Marco Werner (Germany): "It's nice to be between the Dyson cars and it's important to be in the front row. I think it will be a very close race and of course traffic will make it even more difficult for all of us. It will not be easy."
Brad Kettler (Technical Director): "Actually the car went quicker than I predicted it would, which is always a nice thing. The Dyson car is remarkably fast here. This track suits their car well. We had an eventful day fixing a few problems but we did overcome them. The team has done a great job and we are well prepared for the race."
1) J. Weaver/B. Leitzinger Dyson Racing 47.962
2) J. Lehto/M. Werner ADT Champion Racing 48.134
3) C. Dyson/A. Wallace Dyson Racing 48.691
4) J. Field/D. Dayton Intersport Racing 49.413
5) O. Gavin/O. Beretta Corvette Racing 51.425
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