Le Mans Race Report 1 - Sunday, June 20, 2004 at 14:17


LE MANS, France (June 12, 2004) - An unforeseen incident on lap 30 caused considerable damage to the left front end of the #2, Audi R8 of Team ADT Champion Racing. JJ Lehto who started in 6th position and moved himself up to third in the first lap, crashed at over 280 kph going into the Porsche curves. A previous car leaked oil and neither himself or the rival car of Allan McNish in the Audi UK Team Veloqx car saw the oil that was leaked after a car blew an engine.


"There were no flags, no warnings, nothing!" stated an extremely frustrated and disappointed Lehto. "I had no idea what was about to happen to me. Suddenly I couldn't steer the car and I just crashed. It was like ice out there."


The car was towed out of the gravel and Lehto drove it back to the pits where the team worked in unison to quickly repair the car.


Brad Kettler, Technichal Director for Team ADT Champion Racing had this to say about the repairs. "The left front suspension was completely torn off the car and there was substantial underbody damage, hydraulic damage to the brake masters and clutch masters, steering shaft, brakes and body work on the left side. The team did a great job in repairing the car and she should be as good as ever.


Marco Werner replaced Lehto was unhurt during the incident. Team ADT Champion Racing is currently 8 laps behind the leader.