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The X-Factor Grand
Prix of Sonoma Presented by AC Delco and Foster's Lager |
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The X-Factor Grand Prix Of Sonoma
PRESENTED BY AC DELCO & FOSTER'S LAGER
SATURDAY JULY 21, 2001
The American Le Mans Series returns to Sears Point for the third time and for round 3 of 9 races in North America. Joining Andy Hall at the track is the ALMS media staff comprised of Lee Driggers, Lynda Havens, and first-timer Jill Savage. Notes will be provided in the media center, as well as posted on the ALMS website.
For the first time in ALMS, each driver will have their own transponder to identify who is in the car. The timing and scoring system receives a transmission every time a car crosses the start finish line, signaling another lap completed and recording the lap time. In addition to the radio device attached to the car, the drivers will have a similar device. As a result, the live timing and scoring available at the track and on the web should always reflect the actual driver of the car at the end of each lap during the race.
Changes to the entry list: car #15-GT Porsche 911 GT3-R, add driver David McEntee, Novato CA; car #7-P Cadillac LMP 01, add driver Christophe Tinseau, Mont-Pres-Chambord France; car #44-GTS Dodge Viper GTS-R, change hometown of driver Dana Brewer to San Diego CA; car #69-GT Porsche 911 GT3-R, add driver Joe Foster, Atlanta GA.
At 9:00, combined ALMS Prototype, GTS and GT practice session.
Track records in class for this track (2.52 miles): LMP 900 - Allan McNish, Audi R8, 1:20.683 (July 2000); LMP 675 - first time; GTS - Olivier Beretta, Dodge Viper GTS-R, 1:30.621 (July 1999); GT - Dirk Muller; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 1:35.707 (July 2000).
At 9:13, car #44-GTS Dodge Viper GTS-R into the wall at turn 11 bringing out a black flag all. Driver at the time was Tom Weickardt. Damage to the front, especially the left front side.
At 9:17, green flag.
At 10:00, checkered flag. Top three cars in class:
#1-P Audi R8 - 1:23.176, #50-P Panoz LMP1 Roadster S - 1:23.303, #2-P Audi R8 - 1:23.492; #57-P675 Reynard 01Q/Judd - 1:26.899; #3-GTS Chevrolet Corvette C5-R - 1:31.257, #26-GTS Saleen S7R - 1:33.292, #4-GTS Chevrolet Corvette C5-R - 1:33.827; #43-GT BMW M3 GTR - 1:33.242, #10-GT BMW M3 GTR - 1:33.513, #6-GT BMW M3 GTR - 1:33.708.
Note: the practice time turned in by the #43-GT BMW M3 GTR is under the existing class record by more than 2.5 seconds.
John Bruzustowicz, chief mechanic, #44-GTS Dodge Viper GTS-R (about the accident at turn 11) "Tom (Weickardt) pushed it too much in the last corner, he had too much speed. When he went to brake the car rotated on him. There is a lot of damage to the car, the left front is bent. We're pushing hard to get the car back into shape to qualify."
The next ALMS session is scheduled at 1:45 pm, combined practice. Qualifying for GTS/GT is at 4:55 pm, and LMP Prototypes at 5:25 pm.