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(April 10, 2002) -- American Le Mans Series driver Johnny Herbert has
set himself
up for a busy and stress-filled month of May as he attempts to compete
in races
in California and Indiana and prepares for a race in France. But the
jovial
Englishman says he is under no pressure at all.
Herbert will co-drive the Champion Audi with Andy Wallace in the
American Le
Mans Series Grand Prix of Sonoma presented by Fosters at California's
Sears
Point Raceway on May 19. The former Formula One star made his ALMS
debut in
last year's event at Sears Point.
But competing at Sears Point will only be part of Herbert's
transcontinental
schedule in May. He will also fulfill a lifelong dream by attempting
to compete
in the Indianapolis 500, an event which is spread over most of the
month, and
he will prepare for the 24 Hours of Le Mans with an important practice
session
in France.
"It will be very busy, but fortunately my lifestyle is accustomed to
that,"
said Herbert, who scored three wins before retiring from the Formula
One circuit
in 2000.
He will start the month in France, participating in pre-practice for
the 24
Hours of Le Mans on May 5 at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Herbert will
co-drive
in the June 15-16 running of the famed endurance racing classic with
Rinaldo
Capello and Christian Pescatori in an Audi R8 fielded by Audi Sport
North America.
The trio won at Sebring last month to start the 2002 ALMS season,
Herbert's
first win on the series.
After a day of testing at Le Mans, Herbert will fly to Indianapolis to
begin
practice for the Indianapolis 500. He will stay at the famed Brickyard
for the
opening weekend of qualifying May 11-12, hoping to lock in a slot in
the field
of 33 for the event in the Duesenberg Brothers Racing entry and make
his first
oval track racing start ever.
Because of his commitment to Champion Racing and the ALMS, he must
make the
field on the first weekend of qualifying because he will not be able
to participate
in any more qualifying. Bubble Day at Indy, the final day, is on the
same day
as the ALMS event at Sears Point.
"I don't really look at it as being under pressure (to qualify the
first
weekend)," said Herbert, who tested Indy Racing League cars last year.
"I want to do well on that first day of qualifying and I'm taking that
approach. Strangely enough, I'm not bothered by it at all. Instead, I
consider
it a challenge and it's one that I'm looking forward to. I'm confident
we can
do well that first day."
After the first weekend of qualifying, Herbert will practice at Indy
on May
15-16 and then fly to California for the opening of practice at Sears
Point
on May 17. ALMS qualifying will be on Saturday, May 18, with the
two-hour, 45-minute
race to be run on Sunday afternoon.
"I'm really looking forward to getting back to Sears," said Herbert.
"The championship of the American Le Mans Series is very important to
me,
and we have a very good chance of getting Champion Racing's first win
there."
After the race, he will return to Indianapolis to begin final
preparations for
the May 26 running of the 500. |
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