Sears Point ALMS, 22nd July 2001

Race

Johnny's coming back for more after enjoying his race

Audi UK Sport press release, 23rd July: British duo Johnny Herbert and Andy Wallace believe they have laid the foundations for a successful partnership after steering their Audi to fourth place on their American Le Mans Series début together at Sears Point last weekend.

With another six races remaining and with the prospect of former Le Mans 24 Hour race winners Herbert (37) and Wallace (40) linking up together again, they believe they can mount a serious challenge for honours after their encouraging maiden outing together in California.

"I will definitely do some more ALMS races with Andy and the Champion Audi team," confirmed Herbert. "It was so relaxing and enjoyable - just like motor racing should be. It will be hard to beat the factory Audis because they have the very latest modifications but we stand a very good chance especially when we've all gelled together a bit more."

Wallace, from Oxford, started his Champion Racing 2000-specification Audi R8 from third place on the 26-car grid in the 165-minute endurance sportscar race behind the two "works" Infineon Audis of Rinaldo Capello/Tom Kristensen and Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro. But at the start, the Panoz of David Brabham slipped ahead of Wallace in to third place behind Capello and Biela. Wallace, on a lighter fuel load, pitted after only 35 minutes and were dealt a massive blow to any hopes of race victory when he lost a lap to the two leading Audis and third-placed Panoz due to a full course yellow safety car period at the mid-race distance

"That cost us dearly - it was just plain bad luck," said Wallace. "The leading Audi had just got past me when the pace car came out which allowed the Panoz to gain almost a one lap advantage on us."

Herbert took over from Wallace after 95 minutes and the three-time Grand Prix winner set a searing pace. Johnny made a late pit-stop for fuel but the race had been "lost" when the British pair had unluckily just been lapped by the leader Capello allowing the unlapped third-placed Panoz to gain an advantage.

"I'll be coming back for more after that - I haven't enjoyed myself as much for a long time," added Herbert.

The Capello/Kristensen Audi went on to score a 6.6-second victory over the similar Biela/Pirro Infineon R8 with the Brabham/Jan Magnussen third - over one minute ahead of Herbert/Wallace.

Totalmotorsport, 22nd July: Johnny Herbert is still feeling good about his new partner and new team.

"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'."

Good drivers on the Florida team, and a car that set records last year. The Panoz third was not easy by any means, but the expectation was for more from Champion than they showed here.

"We know pace-wise we are podium material," said Herbert. "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."

"Yes, we will (be on the podium at Portland). Absolutely right," added Wallace.

The expectations are still there.

Audi 1-2-4 with Herbert/Wallace 4th

Audi Sport, 22nd July: The new Audi direct fuel injection (FSI), which debuted during the triumph at the Le Mans 24 Hour race, has now proved its worth in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS): Rinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen won the race at Sears Point ahead of their team mates Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro in the companion Infineon Audi R8.

The race was full of thrilling action at the front. During the entire 2:45 hours of racing, both Infineon Audi R8 diced hard on the undulating Californian circuit in the middle of America’s vineyards. At the end, there was a margin of less than seven seconds between the two Infineon R8.

The Champion team also showed strongly with their 2000-spec Audi R8. Andy Wallace and former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert achieved fourth position after fighting for a place on the podium with the fastest Panoz.

There is not much time to relax for drivers and mechanics of Audi Sport North America: On 5 August, the next round of the American Le Mans Series starts in Portland (Oregon).

Quotes after the race:

Johnny Herbert (#38): "When I took over from Andy it was game over really because unless the two factory Audis or Panoz suffered from a problem then the best we could finish was fourth. I had a good dice with the Panoz and got past him which proved a point but we’ll be back and with luck on our side, will be pushing hard for honours. "

Andy Wallace (#38): "We started on a slighter lighter fuel load because we wanted to stay with the factory Audis but I made an appalling start. Brabham was driving very hard and I got delayed. But we lost any hope of claiming a podium position when the pace car came out in front of me having just been lapped by Dindo which allowed Brabham to gain almost a lap. "

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Sport: "The race was decided by the various pit stop strategies with Dindo and Tom coming out on top on this occasion. Until the final moments of the race, it was a tough battle between our two cars. The Champion Audi did similar lap times but the team may have taken too much risk with their pit stop strategy."

American Le Mans, 22nd July: SONOMA, California - results:

1 1 Capello/Kristensen Audi Sport North America 107 laps
2 2 Biela/Pirro Audi Sport North America 107 laps
3 50 Brabham/Magnussen Panoz Motor Sports 106 laps
4 38 Wallace/Herbert Champion Racing Audi 105 laps
5 3 Fellows/O’Connell Corvette Racing (GTS) 97 laps
6 4 Pilgrim/Collins Corvette Racing (GTS) 97 laps
7 42 Lehto/J Müller BMW Motorsport (GT) 96 laps
8 6 Said/Stuck PTG BMW (GT) 96 laps
9 43 D Müller/Ekblom BMW Motorsport (GT) 95 laps
10 10 Auberlen/Jonsson PTG BMW (GT) 95 laps

Qualifying

Wallace sets third fastest time for Champion

American Le Mans, 21st July: SONOMA, California - American Le Mans Series point leader Rinaldo Capello took the pole position Saturday for Sunday's The X-Factor Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sears Point Raceway, the first race for the series in four months. The Italian drove an Audi R8 Prototype to a lap of 110.979 mph (1:21.745) around the 2.52-mile, 12-turn track, the fastest of 26 cars that will start the race.

The second Audi factory car qualified second-fastest at 110.068 and will be co-driven by Frank Biela of Germany and Emanuele Pirro of Italy, who co-drove with Kristensen to victory in last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Former Formula One star Johnny Herbert of England will start third in his American Le Mans Series debut, co-driving an Audi R8 with England’s Andy Wallace.

The X-Factor Grand Prix of Sonoma will be televised live by NBC Sports at 4 p.m. EDT (. The live race broadcast by the American Le Mans Series Radio Web can be heard online right here at www.americanlemans.com. The sports car endurance race will go for two hours and 45 minutes.

Starting lineup for Sunday’s American Le Mans Series The X-Factor Grand Prix of Sonoma sports car endurance race at 2.52-mile Sears Point Raceway showing drivers, hometown or country, type car, qualifying speed in miles per hour and qualifying time:

1. Rinaldo Capello, Italy; Tom Kristensen, Denmark; Audi R8, 110.979 (1:21.745) (Did not break track record of 112.440 mph set 7/00 by Allan McNish, Scotland, Audi R8).
2. Frank Biela, Germany; Emanuele Pirro, Italy; Audi R8, 110.068 (1:22.422).
3. Andy Wallace, England; Johnny Herbert, England; Audi R8, 109.351 (1:22.962).
4. David Brabham, Australia; Jan Magnussen, Denmark; Panoz LMP-1, 109.157 (1:23.110).
5. Emmanuel Collard, England; Christophe Tinseau, France; Cadillac LMP 01, 108.299 (1:23.768).
6. Max Angelelli, Italy; Wayne Taylor, Altamonte Springs, Fla.; Cadillac LMP 01, 108.256 (1:23.801).
7. Jon Field, Dublin, Ohio; Rick Sutherland, Los Gatos, Calif.; Lola B2K-Judd, 106.439 (1:25.232).
8. Franck Lagorce, France; Klaus Graf, Germany; Panoz LMP-1, 102.341 (1:28.645).
9. Terry Borcheller, Phoenix; Franz Konrad, Germany; Saleen S7R, 99.776 (1:30.924).
10. John Graham, Canada; Didier de Radigues, Belgium; Milka Duno, Venezuela; Reynard 01Q-Judd, 99.396 (1:31.271).
11. Ron Fellows, Canada; Johnny O’Connell, Flowery Branch, Ga., Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, 98.926 (1:31.705).
12. Andy Pilgrim, Aventura, Fla.; Kelly Collins, Corona del Mar, Calif.; Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, 97.485 (1:33.060).
13. Dirk Müller, Germany; Fredrik Ekblom, Sweden; BMW M3 GTR, 96.755 (1:33.768).
14. Bill Auberlen, Hermosa Beach, Calif.; Niclas Jonsson, Sweden; BMW M3 GTR, 96.603 (1:33.910).
15. Hans Stuck, Austria; Boris Said, Carlsbad, Calif.; BMW M3 GTR, 96.358 (1:34.149).
16. Jorg Müller, Germany; JJ Lehto, Finland; BMW M3 GTR, 96.053 (1:34.448).
17. Randy Pobst, Melbourne, Fla.; Christian Menzel, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 95.191 (1:35.303).
18. Shane Lewis, Jupiter, Fla.; Jeff Altenburg, Cantonsville,. Md.; Dodge Viper GTS-R, 94.803 (1:35.693).
19. Lucas Luhr, Germany; Sascha Maassen, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 94.618 (1:35.880).
20. Kevin Buckler, Sonoma, Calif.; Tyler McQuarrie, Walnut Creek, Calif.; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 94.296 (1:36.208).
21. Timo Bernhard, Germany; Johnny Mowlem, England; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 93.695 (1:36.825).
22. Joe Foster, Atlanta; Kye Wankum, Canada; Jeff Pabst, Canada; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 90.773 (1:39.942).
23. Philip Colin, Lincolnshire, Ill.; Tony Burgess, Canada; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 90.357 (1:40.402).
24. Vic Rice, San Rafael, Calif.; Robert Orcutt, Santa Cruz, Calif.; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 90.040 (1:40.755).
25. Grady Willingham, Birmingham, Ala.; Randy Wars, Mexico; David McEntee, Novato, Calif.; Porsche 911 GT3 R 87.129 (1:44.121).
26. Tom Weickardt, Whitefish Bay, Wis.; Gene Martindale, Vincennes, Ind.; Dana Brewer, San Diego; Dodge Viper GTS-R, no speed.

Friday Practice

First practice - no time set by Johnny

American Le Mans, 20th July: SONOMA, California - Rinaldo Capello, winner of the first two races of the 2001 American Le Mans Series season and the series point leader, turned the fastest lap of the day Friday as practice began for Sunday’s The X-Factor Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sears Point Raceway. Italy’s Capello, driving an Audi R8, toured the 2.52-mile circuit at 110.710 mph (1:21.944) to lead the day of practice.

The Audi team car driven by Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro was second-fastest on the day at 110.208 (1:22.317), followed by the Panoz LMP-1 of Franck Lagorce and Klaus Graf at 107.718 (1:24.220).

Qualifying will be held Saturday to set the starting lineup for Sunday’s two-hour, 45-minute sports car endurance race. The ALMS has not held a race since the Mar. 17 Sebring event.

The X-Factor Grand Prix of Sonoma will be televised live by NBC Sports beginning at 4 p.m. (EDT). Highlights will be shown one week later on Eurosport. The American Le Mans Series Radio Web will have live coverage online.

Friday’s practice speeds:

1. Rinaldo Capello, Italy; Tom Kristensen, Denmark; Audi R8; 110.710 mph (1 minute, 21.944 seconds).
2. Frank Biela, Germany; Emanuele Pirro, Italy; Audi R8, 110.208 (1:22.317).
3. Klaus Graf, Germany; Franck Lagorce, France; Panoz LMP-1, 107.718 (1:24.220).
4. David Brabham, Australia; Jan Magnussen, Denmark; Panoz LMP-1, 107.676 (1:24.253).
5. Wayne Taylor, Altamonte Springs, Fla.; Max Angelelli, Italy; Cadillac LMP 01, 107.006 (1:24.780).
6. Christophe Tinseau, France; Emmanuel Collard, England; Cadillac LMP 01, 106.498 (1:25.185).
7. Jon Field, Dublin, Ohio; Rick Sutherland, Los Gatos, Calif.; Lola B2K-Judd, 105.218 (1:26.221).
8. Didier de Radigues, Belgium; Milka Duno, Venezuela; John Graham, Canada; Reynard 01Q-Judd, 103.315 (1:27.809).
9. Terry Borcheller, Phoenix; Franz Konrad, Germany; Saleen S7R, 98.511 (1:32.091).
10. Niclas Jonsson, Sweden; Bill Auberlen, Hermosa Beach, Calif.; BMW M3 GTR, 97.123 (1:33.407).
11. Hans Stuck, Austria; Boris Said, Carlsbad, Calif.; BMW M3 GTR, 95.165 (1:33.776).
12. Andy Pilgrim, Aventura, Fla.; Kelly Collins, Corona del Mar, Calif.; Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, 96.532 (1:33.979).
13. JJ Lehto, Finland; Jorg Muller, Germany; BMW M3 GTR, 95.921 (1:34.578).
14. Dirk Muller, Germany; Fredrik Ekblom, Sweden; BMW M3 GTR, 95.165 (1:35.329).
15. Lucas Luhr, Germany; Sascha Maassen, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 94.726 (1:35.771).
16. Kevin Buckler, Sonoma, Calif.; Tyler McQuarrie, Walnut Creek, Calif.; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 93.560 (1:36.964).
17. Jeff Altenburg, Cantonsville, Md.; Shane Lewis, Jupiter, Fla.; Mike Silcox, Indianapolis; Dodge Viper GTS-R, 93.437 (1:37.092).
18. Randy Pobst, Melbourne, Fla.; Christian Menzel, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 93.409 (1:37.121).
19. Tom Weickardt, Whitefish Bay, Wis.; Gene Martindale, Vincennes, Ind.; Dana Brewer, San Diego; Dodge Viper GTS-R, 92.626 (1:37.942).
20. Vic Rice, San Rafael, Calif.; Robert Orcutt, Santa Cruz, Calif.; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 89.670 (1:41.171).
21. Kye Wankum, Canada; Jeff Pabst, Canada; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 89.612 (1:41.236).
22. Phillip Collin, Lincolnshire, Ill.; Tony Burgess, Canada; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 89.587 (1:41.265).
23. Randy Wars, Mexico; Grady Willingham, Birmingham, Ala.; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 84.202 (1:47.741).
24. Ron Fellows, Canada; Johnny O’Connell, Flowery Branch, Ga.; Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, 72.340 (2:05.407).
25. Johnny Herbert, England; Andy Wallace, England; Audi R8, no speed.
26. Timo Bernhard, Germany; Johnny Mowlem, England; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, no speed.

Previews

Herbert's first taste of the Sears Point circuit

Audi Press Release, 20th July: Johnny Herbert got his first taste of the Sears Point circuit yesterday (Thursday) in preparation for his American Le Mans Series race debut this weekend. The former British Formula One ace drives an Audi R8 sportscar entered by Florida-based Champion Racing in Sunday's 165-minute Californian race.

Brentwood-born Herbert (37), a three-time F1 race winner, completed around 30 familiarisation laps around the 2.52-mile Sears Point circuit north of San Francisco in an Audi A4 Touring Car normally driven by Derek Bell in the Speedvision World Challenge Series.

"The track is good," said Herbert. "You have to be up on the edge of your seat to see over the brows. The track has a nice technical flow, which reminds me of Oulton Park back home. Sears has a nice combination of high and medium speed corners and can be tricky."

Herbert will partner fellow Briton Andy Wallace in Sunday's race.

Wallace relishes driving with new team-mate

"We both won the British Formula Three Championship, won at Le Mans and raced against each other in Formula 3 and Formula 3000," commented Wallace. "Johnny went on to greater things in Formula One whereas I missed out on a career at the highest level in single-seaters.

"I've a lot of respect of for what Johnny achieved in Formula One and am very pleased to be driving alongside him as opposed to against him on this occasion. We'll have a fight on our hands on Sunday as we'll be driving a year old Audi against two of the very latest R8s entered by the Audi factory."

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