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American Le Mans
Series Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio |
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ALMS at Mid-Ohio
THE AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES
FRIDAY AUGUST 24, 2001
PIT NOTES: Page 3
THE AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES
FRIDAY AUGUST 24, 2001
PIT NOTES: Page 3
More Driver’s Impressions of Mid-Ohio:
Johnny Herbert (#38-P900 Audi R8) (about
his first time here) “The impressions are good, the only problem
that we had going around here is when you’ve got all of that
concrete, which creates quite a big difference to the grip level that
you have. One you hit the tarmack, you actually produce a lot more
(grip), so its really trying to set the car up to grip enough to carry
the speed through. Its got a lot of character about it, especially
through the esses, quite a variety of different lines it seems and its
just trying to work out which line is the best. We haven’t had that
much time here so that’s made it a little more difficult. The track
is still green after yesterday’s wet session, and actually, in the
wet, the track is not too bad because you drive around the outside of
the concrete where the grip is. So the wet is quite easy and its just
a bit more of a learning process in the dry. The track is very
technical and its going to be very hard to overtake people. So now its
working out when you can or must’nt pass. But I like the esses, the
right handers, and the back straight. With the bumps its going to be
fun.”
Shane Lewis (#45-GTS Dodge Viper GTS-R)
"I am really excited about getting to run here at Mid-Ohio with
American Viperacing. This is a great track, one of the true,
traditional road courses. I enjoy tracks with elevation changes and
technically different types of corners and Mid-Ohio plays right into
that. This should be a good race for our American Viperacing
team." Lewis has enjoyed much success at Mid-Ohio in the past. He
has two podium finishes at the track in only three professional races
and was running well in the third before an engine failure dropped him
from contention. "Any time you can find a track that seems to fit
your style you want to race there as much as you can. For whatever
reason I have only gotten to compete here three times but we have had
our share of success and disappointment in those events."
ALMS/Mid-Ohio Ground Rules:
Because of the configuration of Mid-Ohio
Sports Car Course, initial starts of races are traditionally done at
Turn 3, and the American Le Mans Series will continue that tradition
in Saturday's race. The procedure was instituted many years ago at
Mid-Ohio to create smoother starts of races and is only used on the
initial start. All restarts, as in a normal race, will be off of the
last turn. Because the scoring transponders in the race cars register
at the start/finish line, timing and scoring for the race will begin
when the pole position car crosses the control line at the end of the
second pace lap. The green will then be displayed when the cars reach
Turn 3.
The pit road at Mid-Ohio goes uphill, so
race teams will be allowed to have an extra person over the wall for
the specific purpose of placing a "chock" behind one of the
rear wheels of the car during pit stops. If teams choose to use the
extra person, he will only be allowed to place the chock, and cannot
perform any other functions.
When leaving the pits, cars are required
to keep all four wheels to the left of the blend line and curb until
they are around the corner. Penalties will be assessed for violations.
ALMS Combined GTS/GT qualifying (20 minute
session):
At 4:00 the current temperature is 76 degrees, still partly cloudy but quite warm when the sun comes out. The wind is from the east at around 9 mph. At noon there was a mist in the air, but now, the track is totally dry. Track temperature according to Goodyear engineers is 92 degrees.
Note: car #16-P900 R&S Mk IIIC/Lincoln will be given a couple of hardship laps after missing practice this morning and is going out at the head of the GTS/GT field.
At 4:10, green flag.
At 4:14, car #6-GT BMW M3 GTR (Said) sets the fastest lap in class with a 1:24.507.
At 4:18, car #4-GTS Chevrolet Corvette C5-R (Pilgrim) sets the fastest lap in class with a 1:24.049.
At 4:19, car #3-GTS Chevrolet Corvette C5-R (Fellows) sets the fastest lap in class with a 1:23.429.
At 4:00 the current temperature is 76 degrees, still partly cloudy but quite warm when the sun comes out. The wind is from the east at around 9 mph. At noon there was a mist in the air, but now, the track is totally dry. Track temperature according to Goodyear engineers is 92 degrees.
Note: car #16-P900 R&S Mk IIIC/Lincoln will be given a couple of hardship laps after missing practice this morning and is going out at the head of the GTS/GT field.
At 4:10, green flag.
At 4:14, car #6-GT BMW M3 GTR (Said) sets the fastest lap in class with a 1:24.507.
At 4:18, car #4-GTS Chevrolet Corvette C5-R (Pilgrim) sets the fastest lap in class with a 1:24.049.
At 4:19, car #3-GTS Chevrolet Corvette C5-R (Fellows) sets the fastest lap in class with a 1:23.429.