|
The X-Factor Grand
Prix of Sonoma Presented by AC Delco and Foster's Lager |
|
PRESENTED BY AC DELCO & FOSTER'S LAGER
SUNDAY JULY 22, 2001
PIT NOTES: Page 11
Emanuele Pirro (#2-P Audi R8) "I think we did a good job today, but I have to say in all fairness and truthfulness, I'm not happy at all because we had a good car and we were leading. We built up a little lead and with a little bit with the pace car. But we were not the most clever strategy and we lost the leadership. The most positive thing is I had a good fight with Tom (Kristensen). This, of course, was a high quality fight with a winning car. I'd like to thank the mechanics because we didn't start very well yesterday qualifying. Today the car was good, but we didn't bring it to the right position."
Jan Magnussen (#50-P Panoz LMP1 Roadster S) "The stint was not bad. It was just a matter of holding our position and driving. I couldn't relax too much. I didn't know how quick Herbert (#38) was going to be. The track got more and more greasy. Towards the end it was really greasy. It was unbelievable. It was the best result we could hope for. It was nice to be back in the old car and back in business."
David Brabham (#50-P Panoz LMP1 Roadster S) "It was really nice to see the smiles on the team's faces again. After Le Mans the team was like a morgue. The minds and attitudes were difficult. Going back to the other (older) cars was very motivating. Coming here we were pumped. When you go racing and you have a good chance to compete and win, it makes a big difference in everyone's attitudes. We just dusted the cars down this weekend. We thought Champion was the team we'd be battling with (for second). Our car was the best today that it had been all weekend."
Fredrik Ekblom (#43-GT BMW M3 GTR) "The track was slippery. (On the last corner) Hans tried to get on the power too soon. We had slight contact (which helped him spin). This track is hard (to race on)."
Terry Borcheller (#26-GTS Saleen S7R) "I was disappointed. Basically, we had the wrong tire compound and not enough testing."
Andy Pilgrim (#4-GTS Chevrolet Corvette C5-R) "It was very close, very close. We had a good strategy. We came in early. We didn't have to pit again (but did under the yellow). It almost paid off. I didn't have the speed in the car. I think the (different) transaxle obviously helped the other (#3) car".
Jon Field (#37-P Lola B2K/10/Judd) "The car was set too low for qualifying. It made the car too nervous. We changed the setup this morning and the car was fast on a full tank of fuel as it was in qualifying. We were up to fifth overall before a shock broke."
John Graham (#57-P675 Reynard 01Q/Judd) "I call it a success - the engine survived. I feel I gave up too much at the start to save the engine but overall I was pleased."
Andy Wallace (#38-P Audi R8) (about getting together with co-drive Johnny Herbert) "We raced together a bit in F300. I was at Le Mans and finished fourth when he won in 1991. Our paths sort of crossed, but not very much. He went off and did F1 and became a bit of a megastar and won three Grand Prix. I've just won a few sports car races. We just happened to get put together in this car. I respect him." (about the teams potential) "Yes we will (be on the podium at Portland). Absolutely right. I'd like to add that we really like Champion racing, they are a good team, always run a good show. The car was mechanically reliable and yeah, we're having a good time."
Johnny Herbert (#38-P Audi R8) "We're happy (racing together). We're the same size, there's no changing seat. We speak the same language like 'gar-age' and 'ruh-bob', we even have some of the crew speaking 'english'". (about this track) "Sears Point has a lot of character. It was good to come here. A great difference from 11 to 12 years ago. Safety has improved. Getting back to old style tracks reminds me of F4000 in England. Driving an Audi makes it even more special. There is a lot of character in ALMS. But today the track was very mean to us, very, very mean to us. It was unfortunate that the pace car came out both times, a bad decision, it cost us dearly. That was nice of Andy to give the car back to me at the pit stop, but we couldn't get our lap back. We are fired up for the next race. We know pace-wise we are podium material, without a doubt. Today just wasn't to be our day. But we are here to convey to everybody that we will be at Portland on the podium."
Jeff Pabst (#69-GT Porsche 911 GT3-R) (about the incident that put them out of the race) "The two of us both went a little too deep and as I turned in I thought I was clear, and he thought I was clear of him and we just sort of bumped into each other a little bit. Unfortunately I think my front tire his rear tire and then I broke a tie-rod. It was disappointing but we will be back at Mosport."