Johansson Motorsports - Qualifying News
Qualifying Summary - Sunday 9 September
JOHANSSON MOTORSPORTS - Gulf Audi R8
Qualified: 2nd Time: 1min 15.953secs Weather: Dry, warm
The 2000-specification Johansson Motorsports Audi R8 starts the penultimate round of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca today from the front row of the 29-car grid. Stefan Johansson stopped the clock at 1min 15.953secs in the sole, 20-minute qualifying session early yesterday evening - an ideal way for the Swede to celebrate his 45th birthday. The Brocade supported Audi, sporting a new livery, averaged over 106mph around the fast and sweeping 2.24-mile Laguna Seca Raceway course. The factory 2001-spec Infineon Audi R8 of Rinaldo Capello claimed pole-position with a time 0.716secs quicker than Stefan.
Frenchman Patrick Lemarié, the current BAR Formula One test driver, will share the cockpit of the #18 Audi in today's 165-minute, two-driver race that will feature two scheduled pit-stops for fuel and often fresh tyres. While Johansson has driven Indycar and sportscar machinery frequently at Laguna, Lemarié has previously raced here just once - finishing a close second to Jacques Villeneuve in an Atlantic race.
Stefan Johansson (Sw): "My front tyres took four laps to come up to temperature and by the time they had some grip the rears had gone off but I'm thrilled to be on the front row - it's a tremendous achievement for the team. We're looking strong - it should be a good race for us."
Patrick Lemarié (F): "It's going to be a tough race - no question. Times are close but we've been consistently quick from the first test on Friday so I'm optimistic we can win our second consecutive race following the ELMS win at Most. It's an interesting and demanding circuit - overtaking will be tough but then that will affect everyone."
Mike Earle, Team Director: "We've been fast since we rolled the car out of our transporter. The track is narrow and there are almost 30 cars in the race but so long as we can keep out of trouble lapping the slower cars, and with a little luck which you always need, I think we've a very good chance of claiming at least a rostrum finish."
Johansson Motorsports Formguide: Sebring, USA (ALMS, Rd2): Q4/R4 (SJ+Guy Smith); Donington, GB (ELMS, Rd1): Q3/R3 (SJ+GS); Jarama, SP (ELMS, Rd2): Q3/R4 (SJ+GS); Le Mans 24 Hour: Q5/R Retired (SJ+Patrick Lemarié/Tom Coronel); Estoril, Por (ELMS, Rd3): Q1/R Not classified+FL (SJ+PL+TC); Most, CZ (ELMS, Rd4): Q1/R1+FL (SJ+PL); Laguna Seca, USA (ALMS, Rd7): Q2. KEY: Q=Qualifying/Start position; R=Race position; FL=Fastest Race Lap.
Starting grid at Laguna Seca:
1. Capello/Kristensen (Infineon Audi R8) 1m 15.238s
2. Johansson/Lemarie (Audi R8) 1m 15.953s
3. Biela/Pirro (Infineon Audi R8) 1m 16.029s
4. Magnussen/Brabham (Panoz) 1m 16.104s
5. Graf/Lagorce (Panoz) 1m 16.156s
6. Herbert/Wallace (Audi R8) 1m 16.463s
7. Taylor/Angelelli (Cadillac) 1m 17.479s
8. Tinseau/Collard (Cadillac) 1m 17.843s
9. Field/Sutherland (Lola-Judd) 1m 18.927s
10. de Radigues/Duno (Reynard-Judd) 1m 19.706s