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Audi Presents Petit Le Mans

06/10/2001

Qualifying Report

GTS - GT

© Janos Wimpffen

The long-awaited raindrops arrived moments before qualifying started for the 'production' cars. It had already affected the very end of the Indy Lights race. The rainfall has been very light and a few cars dared to attempt it on slicks. Brave Herr Stuck made the wrong choice and spun into the kitty litter at Turn 6, stopping the session almost before it began. That prompted both a black flag and a stop for all, with those in question going to at least intermediates.

Interestingly, the very early leader was Mike Hezemans in the no. 45 Viper. More interestingly, as the green flag falls the rain stops and the track begins to dry. A slew of cars come in for slicks. Most will wait a few minutes to hope for better conditions.

Borcheller betters Hezemans, but two laps later it’s Gavin by nearly one second. Stuckie came back and captured the GT lead, while Lewis is chasing him down with the Callaway.

Borcheller puts the Konrad Saleen onto the GTS pole while the big boys are lying in wait as now the sun pops out. There are problems with the no. 3 Corvette that stops out on the course. Also off is the no. 45 Viper. It had already set a very rapid time, unlike the Corvette that had not.

Borcheller continues quickest, while JJ Lehto betters the PTG car for the GT pole. The Finn remains in the top position until the end. But the Corvette strategy works as just prior to the checkered flag, Andy Pilgrim slips past to set the fastest time.

Early during the qualifying session, Ron Fellows had rolled to a stop with a drive line failure. He had planned to come in and get fitted with a set of Goodyear's super gummy round black things. Instead the extra special set of them were handed over to Andy P.The no. 4 Corvette will of course still need to go a stint at the start with those tires. It matters not for Fellows since he is gridded absolute last.

Johnny O'Connell has been reporting that the no. 4 has been running better all weekend. The no. 3 has been somewhat loose.