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THE LEATHER CENTER GRAND
PRIX OF TEXAS
Sunday March 4, 2001 - PIT NOTES: Page 14
Sascha Maassen (#23-GT Porsche 911 GT3-RS) "I hope Lucas (Luhr)
will almost a lap lead at every race. It made my job so much easier. My
main concern was keeping my concentration. I held back a little when I
came up on the fight for second place, I definitely didn't want to get
involved in that. I waited for them to settle that, and then I moved
around. I wanted to maintain focus with such a lead. I had a problem not
to lose concentration. I can live with that." (about the track
conditions) "It could be improved. You put a wheel in the dirt and
you put the dirt on the track. You come to a corner and the next lap
around you don't know if it's clean or dirty. It's not a big problem,
but it could be improved."
David Brabham (#50-P Panoz LMP07) "I had wrist problems due to the
power steering, but I adjusted my position and just drove it that way.
The power steering needs work." (any chance of avoiding the last
pit stop) "No, we had to stop, so I pushed hard to lengthen the
lead, and hope for a fast pit stop. It worked out that we got third.
It's a new car which needs more development. I'm looking forward to
Sebring."
Jan Magnussen (#50-P Panoz LMP07) "It's a new car with lots to sort
out, but I'm happy to be here again on the podium."
Jay Cochran (#49-P Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S) "I'm new to the car.
I've only had 20 laps in it before the race, and this is only my fourth
race in four years. There was rust flying out from the cockpit. It was a
clean ride and we kept it fourth and fifth place all day. The next time
I'll race this car is in Europe."
Don Panoz (found of the American Le Mans series)"I was very
happy with a nice race."
Owen Trinkler (#17-GT Chevrolet Corvette C5-R) "Our main goal here
was to finish. We made a few mistakes, but we're happy with the car. We
were worried about the front (right tires) but there were really no
problems. We backed off the pace after the beginning, then we had a fuel
system pickup problem. We're using and endurance motor for this race and
a sprint motor for Sebring." (about the track) "It was dirty.
Lots of marbles off the line making it difficult to get out of the way
of the faster cars. We're hopeful for Sebring."
Andy Wallace (#38-P Audi R8) (about driving two hours) "You've got
to keep your concentration up. If you open the throttle too early, the
car will spit you right into the wall. If it had been a hot day, it
would have been really hard to stay in the car that long. Today (the
challenge is) mainly the strain on your neck in the banking and keeping
up your concentration."
Shane Lewis (#12-GT Callaway C-12 R) "It is unfortunate to be out
of the race that early. Even though we were pretty much using it
as a test session we were hoping to run the entire event. We had a
right-rear wheel hub break on us. Fortunately, it did it while under
braking and in a straight line. If it had popped out on the banking or
something it could have been a pretty major deal. The car is in one
piece but we have a lot of work to do before we get to Sebring. The
Aspen Knolls crew will get it together and we'll have a good show at
Sebring."
Bob Mazzuoccola (owner #12-GT Aspen Knolls/ MCR Callaway C12-R) "We
anticipated this being a learning experience and we did learn a lot. We
thought it was time to close the tool box and go racing. We made a
commitment to the series so, here we are at the beginning of the racing
season. Hopefully, Sebring will be better for us. That is what we can
hope for." |
