PRODRIVE FERRARI
IN THE HEAT OF THE BATTLE
Fiona Miller ,6/30/2003
All had agreed before the race that it would be a close
fight in the GTS category, and so it was. The balance
just tipped away from the Prodrive Ferraris this weekend,
and the two scarlet 550 Maranellos finished in 2nd and
4th places - just 11 seconds behind the class winner.
In ambient temperatures of over 100oF (35oC), the 2h
45 minute race was hard on all those who were involved.
For the drivers of the closed cockpit cars, temperatures
in their working environment reached a breathtaking
150oF (60oC), and Jérôme Policand was just
one of many to suffer from dehydration during his time
behind the wheel.
Tomas
Enge, starting the race in the #88 car, made a strong
start from 4th place in the category and was up to 2nd
by the third lap, pushing hard for the class lead. A
spin on lap 14 dropped him back several places, although
no damage occurred to the car and he was able to continue
without having to make a stop and was soon making up
for lost time. Peter Kox continued the good work in
his mid race stint, and between the pair they closed
the gap to finish a very close second.
Jérôme Policand, making his first appearance
in the American Le Mans Series alongside debutante Danica
Patrick, was behind the wheel of the #80 Prodrive Ferrari
as the race began. Unfortunately his drinks bottle became
disconnected and he therefore was not able to take on
any fluids during his initial stint and was very dehydrated
when he came in. A quick check by the circuit's medical
team and re-hydration saw him recover quickly enough
to be able to complete a second stint. They were running
in 3rd position for much of the race but the Frenchman
also suffered a spin in the closing laps which dropped
the duo down to 4th.
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Danica
Patrick
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George Howard-Chappell, Team Principal: "It was
a very good race, very tight, as predicted, and Corvette
did a really good job here today. I am happy with our
performance and we hope to put on as good a show as
this all year."
Danica Patrick (USA), Car 80: "My first sportscar
race was a little harder than I thought it was going
to be, but all in all it was a good first experience.
I really enjoyed working with everyone here this weekend
and there were a few things which I know we can improve
for the next race. It would have been nice to be on
the podium for my first race but there you go - we can
have our turn soon.
2
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Tomas
Enge
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Jérôme Policand (F), Car 80: "I'm
really sorry for Danica and the team about spinning
but I was pushing hard and the car just got away from
me. It was very hard in the car during my first stint,
but I felt fine once I'd had some water and a shower
so was able to continue."
Peter Kox, (NL), Car 88: "It was not our day.
We were fighting strongly and I thought the competition
did a good job. They improved a lot and I think we have
to raise our game to match them. It was a shame we lost
a bit of time but I don't blame Tomas as he was pushing
really hard. I did the same and we make up some good
time - our Michelin tyres worked well."
Tomas Enge (CZ), Car 88: "I'm a little disappointed
as we came here to win and we didn't quite manage that
today. But we will in the future. The competition was
very close and it was good racing and I am looking forward
to the next race where we can repeat our Le Mans winning
form."
Results:
1 38 Herbert/Lehto Champion Audi 128 laps
2 1 Biela/Werner Audi Team Joest - 30.407
3 37 (675) Field/Dayton Intersport Racing - 2 laps
4 16 (675) Weaver/Leitzinger Dyson Racing - 6.165
5 27 Theys/van der Poele Doran Lista Racing - 3 laps
6 10 Beretta/Papis Panoz Motorsports - 1:04.977
7 4 (GTS) Gavin/Collins Corvette Racing - 10 laps
8 88 (GTS) Enge/Kox Prodrive Ferrari - 11.830
9 3 (GTS) Fellows/O'Connell Corvette Racing - 12 laps
10 80 (GTS) Patrick/Policand Prodrive Ferrari - 13
laps
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