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The X-Factor Grand
Prix of Sonoma Presented by AC Delco and Foster's Lager |
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PRESENTED BY AC DELCO & FOSTER'S LAGER
PIT NOTES: Page 4
SATURDAY JULY 21, 2001
Post Qualifying Quotes:
Ron Fellows (#3-GTS Chevrolet Corvette C5-R) "I'm very disappointed. Anytime you finish second I'm disappointed. We seemed to be chasing the track a little bit. The balance of the car appears to change each session."
Andy Pilgrim (#4-GTS Chevrolet Corvette C5-R) "We were a second quicker than we have been all weekend. We worked strictly on race setup, no qualifying setup. We are very pleased."
Dirk Müller (#43-GT BMW M3 GTR) (how it felt to get the pole again at Sears Point) "It's a really great honor. I'm feeling great, definitely, I'm feeling very confident. From day one with the new BMW, I knew the car was good. Schnitzer prepped the car really well. We improve step by step. The other (BMW) team (PTG) was faster, but we just focused on our program. From our performance you can see that team Schnitzer is very professional." (about chances for the third win) "It would be nice but there are at least three other guys behind me that want to win. I really think our advantage is handling, and I hope it will be the same tomorrow. Because we missed Texas we're behind on points, but we are coming."
Terry Borcheller (#26-GTS Saleen S7R) (on his pole) "I'm excited, I'm very happy to be involved with Steve Saleen, and the S7R program, and to help develop both the street car and race car. It's a nice car, a dream to drive." (did your familiarity with this track help) "It really helped early in the weekend, our setup was off. I talked with Franz (Konrad) who's also a good setup driver. We have similar styles, and we got the setup right by talking about it. I felt I could have taken the track record on both of my flying laps. My first lap I made a couple of mistakes, then on my second flying lap I got held up in the esses by a Viper, who had a Porsche right in
front of him."
Rinaldo Capello (#1-P Audi R8) (about the session) "Honestly, when I did my first two laps, I didn't expect the track to be so slippery. I missed the apex in one of the turns three times in a very quick part of the track. When I ran the 1:22 I wasn't sure if I got the pole, I felt I could go quicker. I thought the yellow (#2-P) would be quicker, but he wasn't, and I got the pole." (about track conditions and the record) "Since yesterday we thought it was impossible to break the record, because the track is slicker than it was last year." (about racing with the other classes) "For us it is very difficult. In some of the quick parts of the track there's only one line. You have to wait to overtake the slower car."
John Graham (#57-P675 Reynard 01Q/Judd) (happy about the time) "No, not necessarily. The first time at qualifying I should have been a half second quicker. The wind was not a factor, I'm just getting used to the track again. I haven't been here since 1988 when I drove the 962 Porsche. I felt a vibration in the tire which alarmed me, but it turned out to be debris. The Goodyears were fine otherwise. Its been a tough season so far, with both 675's having an unfortunate 24 Hour of Le Mans, but being back in the states, its comfortable being home. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, because this car can run 1:31 all day long. We should also get a break on fuel advantage. I'm excited about this 675 because Dick Barbour is innovative, this class has enormous potential. It's a stepping stone to a full blown 675 program next year. We're still working with Reynard, and we'll have two cars back by Mosport, possibly at Portland. Tomorrow it's a trio of drivers because Didier (de Radigues) needs the points."
Didier de Radigues (#57-P675 Reynard 01Q/Judd) (about racing for less than three hours) "Le Mans is a sprint too! I feel give it your best in all you do, they're all sprints. I enjoy making history with the 675, it's what we're here for. I'd like to leave something behind me. In this class we want that championship. Between Le Mans and here I've been bored, without a steering wheel in my hand I'm not happy."