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 24
May -
Randy Pobst closed down on Speed GT World Challenge leader Phil
McClure when the former claimed his third consecutive third place of
the season in the latest race at Lime Rock Park, Conn., today
(Saturday 24 May).
Having finished third at Sebring and
Mosport in the opening two events, Pobst started the 42-lap race
second in the Driver’s Championship, 10-points behind McClure but will
begin Monday’s Memorial Day race here just five-points in arrears with
Audi still second in the Manufacturers’ title chase but now only
six-points off the lead.
Champion Racing “locked out” the front
row for the first time since the Audi Sport North America supported
Florida team entered the Speed series in 2000. Pobst started from
pole-position - his first for the Champion team and the RS 6 sedan’s
maiden “pole” - with Galati six-tenth’s slower completing the front
row after a wet 20-minute qualifying session.
The rain had disappeared come race time
and despite a bone dry track surface, the Audi duo rocketed away at
the green light, Pobst leading Galati for the opening 12-laps which
included four under a full course yellow safety period.
But Mike Fitzgerald’s Porsche made
contact with Galati’s Audi on lap 13, pitching the defending GT
champion unceremoniously nose first in to the tire barriers. Michael
re-joined in 14th place, with front bodywork damage and
ultimately finished 10th - scant reward for a fine drive by
Galati who has suffered ill fortune in all three of this year’s
races.
Pobst continued to head the field until
mid-distance when Bill Auberlen (BMW) dived in to the lead and was
further demoted by Boris Said (BMW) 11-laps from the checker as the
top-five ran in close company. Randy briefly slipped to fourth on lap
31 but re-took McClure on the same lap and managed to keep the
Corvette driver at bay to the finish after another sterling
performance.
Michael Galati:
“It
was a great start and my car was working well in the opening laps but
knew it would be tough in the dry. After the Porsche had put me into
the wall, it was a case of trying to salvage something. The good thing
is that I finished the race. This must be the worst start to a
championship I’ve ever made - I’m going to church tomorrow in the hope
I’ll have a good race on Monday!”
Randy Pobst:
“I had some great battles - we ran a
hard, competitive race but it was just a matter of time holding those
guys off after the race went green again. My RS 6 was the best its
been - Champion Racing and Audi Sport North America is doing a
fantastic job. I feel sorry for Michael, he has had a dark cloud
hovering above him so far this season while I’m still riding the wave
of beginner’s luck [with my new team].”
Rod Bymaster, Audi Sport
North America’s Motorsport Manager:
“Always good being on the podium – Randy did a great job as did
Michael who ran with no front brake ducting or front splitter
after his ‘off’. We didn’t get the rain we needed but Randy’s third
place keeps us in the points chase. We’ll try again on Monday and I’m
already praying for rain.”
Lime Rock, Round 3, 42-laps,
64.26-miles
1
Bill Auberlen, BMW M3. 42-laps
2
Boris Said, BMW M3. -15.014secs
3 Randy Pobst, Audi RS 6
“Competition”. -17.167secs
4
Phil McClure, Corvette Z06. -21.064secs
5
Justin Marks, BMW M3. -24.229secs
..................
10 Michael Galati, Audi RS 6
“Competition”. -1 lap
2003 Speed GT World Challenge –
Driver’s Standings (after 3 races)
1 Phil McClure, Corvette Z06.
88-points
2 Randy Pobst, Audi RS 6
Competition. 83
3 Bill Auberlen, BMW M3. 78
4 Michael Culver, Porsche 911 Cup.
54
5 Mike Fitzgerald, Porsche 911 Cup.
53
....................
15 Michael Galati, Audi RS 6
Competition. 31
2003 Speed GT World Challenge –
Manufacturers’ Standings (after 3 races)
1 Chevrolet 21
2 Audi
15
BMW 15
4 Porsche 8
5
Saleen 7
Lime Rock Schedule
Monday
– Qualifying Round 4, 0900-0920. Round 4, 1115-1215
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