American Le Mans Series, round 9 in Detroit, USA, qualifying: RS Spyder on the second row
Posted on 29. Aug, 2008 by webmestre in Uncategorized
American Le Mans Series, round 9 in Detroit, USA, qualifying: RS Spyder on the second row
Stuttgart. A good start position for Dyson Racing’s Porsche RS Spyder: In qualifying for the ninth round of the American Le Mans Series on Saturday in Detroit, Guy Smith (Great Britain) turned the third quickest time in the #16 Weissach developed and built sports prototype. For the Porsche-supported privateer team from the USA, which runs the new DFI engine with direct fuel injection for the first time, this marks the best qualifying result so far this season.
Taking up the race on Belle Isle from the third row are points’ leaders and last year’s winners Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France). In the #7 RS Spyder fielded by Penske Racing, Timo Bernhard spent quite some time in the pits with electrical problems and only managed to turn three timed laps. He secured the sixth position directly in front of his team mate Patrick Long (USA), who shares the cockpit of the #6 RS Spyder with Ryan Briscoe (Australia).
â€Because it rained during practice we used the qualifying as a test for our set-up,†said Patrick Long. “It wasn’t perfect but now we know what we need to change for the race.†Timo Bernhard was satisfied with his set-up but due to the electrical problems did not have the full power of his engine available during the qualifying. “Those were my first laps on slicks this weekend. Under these circumstances we did the best we could.â€
In the GT2 class for slightly modified standard sports cars, Wolf Henzler (Germany) secured his third best qualifying time this season. With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Flying Lizard Motorsports, which he shares with Jörg Bergmeister (Germany), he waited until the end of the session to set his fastest lap. “That was an exciting qualifying,†said the points’ leader. “I have to thank my team. They found a great set-up in a very short time. That was not easy because it had rained during practice and as a result we couldn’t turn any laps on a dry track. But such a city circuit suits me. You have to be precise at the limit and not make one mistake.â€
His Flying Lizard Motorsports team mates also secured good starting positions: Patrick Pilet (France) took fourth, with UPS-Porsche junior Martin Ragginger (Austria) celebrating an excellent entry into the American Le Mans Series with seventh.
The race in Detroit starts on Saturday at 14.35 hours local time (20.35 hours CEST) and runs over 2:45 hours.
Qualifying result
1. David Brabham (AUS), Acura ARX-01B (LMP2), 1:13,483 minutes
2. Simon Pagenaud (F), Acura ARX-01B (LMP2), 0.177 seconds behind
3. Guy Smith (USA), Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2), 0.726
4. Adrian Fernandez (MEX), Acura ARX-01B (LMP2), 0.897
5. Franck Montagny (F), Acura ARX-01B (LMP2), 0.963
6. Timo Bernhard (D), Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2), 1.115
7. Patrick Long (D), Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2), 1.993
8. Marco Werner (D), Audi R10 (LMP1), 2.396
9. Marcel Fässler (CH), Audi R10 (LMP1), 2.440
10. Marino Franchitti (USA), Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2), 3.071
Facts and Figures
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999. The regulations are based on the rules of the Le Mans 24 hour race. This season twelve rounds will be contested in the USA and Canada. The traditional highlights of the year are the Sebring 12 hour race and the 1,000 mile “Petit Le Mans†race in Road Atlanta. Most races run over 2.45 hours. The ALMS is the American counterpart to the European-based Le Mans Series (LMS).
The starting field consists of two different sports vehicle categories: Sports prototypes and standard sports cars. They are divided into four classes:
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 750 hp and a minimum weight of 925 kilograms (in the LMS: 750 hp/900 kilograms).
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with around 475 hp (normally-aspirated engines) and an 800 kilogram minimum weight (in the LMS: 475 hp/825 kg). The Porsche RS Spyder competes in this class.
GT1 class: Heavily modified standard sports cars with up to 650 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (in the LMS: 650 hp/1,125 – 1,325 kilograms).
GT2 class: Slightly modified standard sports cars with between 450 hp to 470 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (in the LMS: 450 to 470 hp/1,125 – 1,325 kilograms). The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR competes in this class.
All race cars start together but are classified separately according to the class. This system ensures diverse and gripping racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only allocated for placings in each class. Championship titles are awarded in the LMP1 and LMP2 classes for drivers, chassis and engine manufacturers, teams and tyre suppliers. In the GT1 and GT2 classes titles are awarded for drivers, car manufacturer and teams. With the RS Spyder in 2006 and 2007, Porsche won the championship title for drivers (Sascha Maassen/Lucas Luhr and Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas respectively) as well as for manufacturer chassis, manufacturer engine and team (Penske Racing).
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