Audi R8 Not Rolling Over to Penske Porsche

Audi R8 Not Rolling Over to Penske Porsche

Posted: July 1st, 2006 in American Le Mans
Author: Joe Martin Sr.
Photo By: Joe Martin

The fourth round of the American Le Mans Series was contested on the 1.5-mile course at Lime Park in Lakeville, Ct today. Lime Rock can be compared to the 1-mile ovals known as “Bull Rings” contested by CART during the Eighties & Nineties. These venues were known for their furious action & heavy traffic situations. Being caught up in traffic or a single mistake could lead to a loss of positions or victory. Today marks the final race of the Audi R8, one of the sports most dominant cars, compiling 49 wins in American Lemans Series.LMP 1 was not captured by the Audi R8, but by the Dyson Lola number 16, piloted by James Weaver, pushing the Audi to Fourth on the grid. In GT 1 Corvette carries a 12-race win streak into today’s race, can the Aston Martin break Corvette’s hold on this class? In LMP2 the Penske RS Spyders not only led their class on the grid, but also have clinched the Pole Position of the race. GT 2 long the playground of the Porsche GT3RSR has been challenged by Ferrari, Panoz, & BMW.

At the very start the #16 Dyson Lola was left at the grid with a dead clutch petal. The Penske Porsche sprinted out to an early lead, only to have the # 6 of Maassen tangle with the Ferrari of Gene, causing damage to the Ferrari’s right rear quarter & the
Porsche ‘s nose & left rear quarter leading to lengthy pit stops for both cars. GT2 lead was taken up by the up start BMW of Joey Hand, who’s car was sporting newly developed Yokohma rear tires, which has given the Bimmer increased traction. Corvette grabbed an early lead I GT1, but the 200 pounds adjustment to the Corvette, gave the Aston the edge and the 007 Aston pushed into the lead. P1 was led by the always-potent R8 of McNish & Capello. The pace was just settling down when a charging #20 of Chris Dyson came into hard contact with the #4 Corvette of Berretta, causing both cars into the muddy outside of the Big Bend, bringing out a full course yellow, both cars had to be towed out of the mess, each returning to the pits to repair damage. This left the # 3 Corvette of Fellows to battle the swift Astons.

GT2 pole sitter Ferrari # 61 driven by Vilander had settled into the GT2 passing Hand in the BIG BEND closely followed by Pat Long in #31 Petersen Porsche. Vilander’s lead was short lived when the spinning Mazda/Courage of Jamie Bach, collected Vilander’s Ferrari at the bottom of the Diving Downhill Turn. Both cars were eliminated from competition. Vilander was taken to the infield hospital and diagnosed with a fractured foot. During the yellows of these incidents, fuel windows extended for GT2 class & canceled the 2 ½-gallon increases given to the Aston Martins.

As the time wound down, the Audi of McNish hunted down and passed the #7 of Romain Dumas. Mc Nish’s driving talent & the superior power and torque of the Audi proved too much for the P1 Porsche. Dumas/Bernhard had to settle for first in P2 class followed by teammate #6 of Maassen/Luhr. GT2 honors were won by Porsche #31 of Bergmeister/Long. This victory for Petersen Racing was especially sweet considering they came home from Le Mans without a car. Their Porsche GT3RSR was destroyed in an accident. The current car was the last 996 based RSR imported into the United States, by California racer Rusty West. Porsche Sport contacted West, who provided his ride to Petersen at a fair market value. Petersen’s crew prepared the car at Lime Rock in only six days! The most exciting finish of the day occurred between Corvette and Aston Martin. With 15 minutes left it became evident the 007 Aston of Enge was holding up the charging O’Connell. With 8 minutes left O’Connell made the pass and set off after the Aston of Lamy. With the Corvette in hot pursuit, it came down to the last lap, with the Aston of Lammy edging the Corvette of O’Connell by 33/1000th of a second.

Wrapping up, this course proved to challenge the best of each class of cars in the series. Audi’s P1 car’s superior power and torque proved too much for the fleet Penske Spyders. Traffic and fast paced lap times provided more challenge than most drivers could endure. Stay tuned to PitJournal.com for coverage of the next round of the American Le Mans Series at a brand new course at Salt Lake City.

Joe Martin Sr.
PitJournal.com