Panoz Motor Sports Sears Point Qualifying

ROUND 3, AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES
THE X-FACTOR GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA, SEARS POINT RACEWAY

QUALIFYING - SATURDAY, 21ST JULY

After today's one and only qualifying session, the two Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S cars finished in 4th and 8th places.  Car #50, driven by Australian David Brabham, will start on the second row of the grid after posting a best time of 1m 23.110.

Frenchman Franck Lagorce, driving the LMP-1 for the first time in a qualifying session, endured a more difficult time in the sister car and managed to set a time of 1m 28.645 using just two gears in a malfunctioning gearbox.

David Brabham:

I'm a little disappointed to be honest.  We made some changes to the car's set up through the last session which made the car more difficult to drive in qualifying.  It's a shame because I'm sure we had the potential to get 3rd.  We are still re-learning the LMP-1 but I think we have a good race set up which is the main thing.  We'll work on it from there.

Franck Lagorce:

My first lap out was okay but then the gearbox went a little bit stiff, and then nothing.  I couldn't get past 3rd gear so had to set my lap using just 2nd and 3rd.  I'm really disappointed as I like the track and the car but I haven't had the chance to confirm the potential I know is there.

Ends