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Audi Presents Petit Le Mans

06/10/2001

The Race

Part 5

Fifth Hour

© Janos Wimpffen

Some comparative notes:
1998
winners: Van de Poele / Taylor / Collard, Doyle / Risi Ferrari 333SP
total time, 9:48:24.334, 102.068 mph / 164.263 kph [2.56 mile / 4.12 km course], margin, 1 min., 12.519 sec.
fast lap, McNish, Porsche 911 GT1 98, 1:15.239, 122.490 mph / 197.128 kph
fast qual, McNish, 1:13.754, 124.956 mph / 201.097 kph
6 full-course cautions

1999
winners: Brabham / Bernard / Wallace, Panoz LMP1 Roadster S
time: 8:56:31.991, 111.914 mph / 180.108 kph [2.54 mi / 4.088 km. Course], margin, 1 lap
fast lap, JJ Lehto, BMW V12 LMR, 1:12.653, 125.859 mph / 202.549 kph
fast qual., Brabham, 1:10.873, 190.020 mph / 207.636 kph
3 full-course cautions for 48 minutes

2000
winners: McNish / Capello / Alboreto, Audi R8
time: 9:08:40.619, 109.437 mph / 176.122 kph, margin, 3 laps
fast lap, McNish, 1:11.782, 127.386 mph / 205.007 kph
fast qual, McNish, 1:10.379, 129.925 mph / 209.094 kph

The Prodrive Ferrari has been behind the wall for some time with bad vibrations (baby). The R & S has retired with a bad clutch. The no. 11 Lola looks to be out with accident damage. Luhr’s Porsche is going again after a small fire. The no. 25 Saleen has a gearbox problem.

Pirro has been able to open up a 15 second gap since the latest restart. This dissolves when the leading Audi makes a routine stop, including a change of tires. It was perhaps the fastest complete servicing we have yet seen. Herbert and Taylor remain in a strong third and fourth, respectively. Maxwell is now up to fifth overall with the LMP 675 leading Reynard. It is some 12 laps clear of the remaining untroubled car in the class, the Archangel Lola with rookie Jason Workman aboard. Problems continue for the no. 5 Reynard as Bruno Lambert slows on the circuit.

The GT order is J. Müller (no. 43), Auberlen (no. 6), and Wendlinger (no. 42). The GT leaders are supposedly carrying the new scoring lights system. No human that I know has yet been able to notice them. Best of the Porsches continues to be the well-driven no. 30, now with former Porsche Cup champion Mike Fitzgerald aboard. With the race already minus one BMW, there is at least a prospect of a different marque being on the third rung of the class podium. The two AJR Porsches are next, followed by the “ok” Callaway.

The Corvette is over a lap ahead of the prime Saleen, now with Charlie Slater at the wheel. Kumpen has the much improved American Viper up to third in class.

At the 4:45 elapsed time and clock time mark, Karl Wendlinger encounters the no. 15 Porsche and Grady Willingham is stranded on course, while the no. 42 BMW continues. It is the umpteenth time that a lesser has bumped into a greater. Several cars make slightly earlier than expected stops. After the order is re-scrambled, Biela emerges the leader just ahead of Johansson and Herbert. Goossens is penalized for 'goosing' a car under yellow.

It is important to reiterate that any photos of Hawaiian Tropic models was not taken by any of our married photographers, including Andy Hartwell. That important note marks the approximate halfway point of the race. As was the case in 1998, it is a toss-up as to whether the time or distance target will be reached first.

The 05 Saleen is running well. That is quite amazing since the weld points make the car look like a deranged child’s erector set. The team is in wonder that it hasn’t shaken itself to pieces.