Le Mans 24 Hours, 12/13 June 2004

Race

Herbert misses out on second Le Mans victory

Audi UK Press, 14th June 2004: Johnny Herbert, from Brentwood, missed out on winning his second Le Mans 24 Hours when the Warwickshire ace steered his Audi home in to second position in France yesterday (SUN).

Herbert started the twice round-the-clock marathon from pole-position on the 48-car grid alongside the front row starting “sister” Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx R8 sportscar of Scotsman Allan McNish and German duo Frank Biela and Pierre Kaffer which ultimately finished the gruelling, annual race in fifth position. Johnny, who was competing at Le Mans for a seventh time having won the 1991 Le Mans event, commented:

“Having finished second for the last two years I was determined to add to my 1991 win. For much of the race it was looking good and we had a one lap lead but the handling deteriorated and we fell in to the clutches of the Japanese Audi. It’s frustrating but that’s motorsport - one day the luck goes with you and sometimes it doesn’t.”

Herbert, who has now finished runner-up at Le Mans on three consecutive occasions, was sharing his 200mph Audi sportscar with Jamie Davies (Somerset) and Guy Smith (Yorkshire).

British Audis finish well at Le Mans

Audi UK Press, 13th June 2004: Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx recorded second and fifth positions in the 72nd Le Mans 24 Hours which finished today (13 June).

The Jamie Davies/Johnny Herbert/Guy Smith Audi started from pole-position with the similar Frank Biela/Pierre Kaffer/Allan McNish R8 completing an all-Veloqx Audi front row.

The two Michelin-shod Veloqx Audis dominated the opening stages with Davies only briefly losing the lead to McNish during two scheduled pit-stops. But shortly before two hours, with Davies 25secs ahead, McNish skated off on oil at the high-speed Porsche Curves.

Allan, stunned by the heavy impact with the barriers, miraculously nursed his severely damaged Audi back to the pits after it had been dragged back on to the circuit by a recovery vehicle.

Incredibly, seconds after McNish’s accident, the closely following American-entered Audi skated off at the same corner. This car would finish third.

Back at the pits, McNish was immediately examined by doctors from Audi before being taken to the circuit’s Medical Centre for a precautionary check-up. Although suffering no injuries and declared physically fit, he was advised by race officials not to take any further part in the race unlike his Audi which, after magnificent work by the crew, resumed in 46th position after two pit-stops, accounting for 75mins.

The Davies/Herbert/Smith Audi continued at the front of the field but lost time after nine hours with a stop-go penalty moments before making contact with a slower car necessitating an unscheduled, precautionary pit-stop.

For the first time, with the race 15hr 09mins old, Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx lost the lead when a 7min pit-stop was required to cure a handling imbalance on the lead #88 Veloqx Audi caused by a seized rear suspension pushrod bearing. Davies resumed over a lap down in second place, but immediately set a series of fastest laps in the race.

With three hours to run, the Davies/Herbert/Smith Veloqx Audi had narrowed the gap to 90secs, and with just two hours remaining it was less than one minute. With 30mins to run, Herbert now at the wheel, had sliced the gap down to 35secs.

Johnny, pushing to earn Veloqx Audi a famous victory ran wide, and briefly into a gravel trap, such was his determination to claim the first-ever victory achieved by three British drivers. But after 24 hours of hard racing which saw 3,204-miles clocked-up (379 laps) and covered at an average speed of almost 133mph, just 41.354secs separated the winning Japanese Audi of Seiji Ara/Rinaldo Capello/Tom Kristensen and the Davies/Herbert/Smith Veloqx Audi. The #8 Biela/Kaffer/McNish car amazingly recovered to ultimately take fifth place - 29 laps off the winner’s lap.

The Canon & Infineon supported “British” Audi team, formed just six months ago, won the Sebring 12 Hours (ALMS) and Monza 1,000km (LMES) races earlier this year.

The team will exhibit an Audi R8, a sportscar which has now won the Le Mans 24 Hours four time in the past five years, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (25-27 Jun) and continues its bid for honours in the LMES at the Nurburgring on3 July.

Qualifying

"British" Audi team bids for Le Mans glory

Audi UK Press, 10th June 2004: Johnny Herbert, from Brentwood, starts the Le Mans 24 Hours from pole-position on the 48-car grid on Saturday afternoon (1600hr, CET).

The Audi sportscar of Herbert and co-drivers Jamie Davies (Somerset) and Guy Smith (Yorkshire) held a provisional second place after Wednesday evening’s opening qualifying session. In last night’s (THURS) final four hour time trial, Herbert again traded fastest times with the similar Veloqx Audi of Allan McNish for the honour of starting from pole-position.

Herbert and McNish both improved on their Wednesday times to edge closer to the Zytek car before Allan went back on pole - with four minutes remaining - only for Herbert, to stop the clock 0.209secs faster with a mere two minutes to run to the interval. But within nine minutes of the final two-hour session starting, Herbert further improved to a 3:32.838 on his first “flying lap”.

Meanwhile McNish remained in the pit-garage until the final 20mins of the final 120-minute time trial, a fuel injection pump problem prompting a precautionary engine change. The 39-year-old Essex race ace, who will be cheered on by mom and dad, Jane and Bob, commented:

“I’m obviously highly delighted at achieving my first-ever Le Mans pole-position - that had been missing from my CV. My lap before the break had been messy so I knew that barring a massive amount of traffic, I could go quicker on the re-start which I managed. I’m highly delighted with the way the qualifying has gone - I won from pole in Monza!”

The “sister” Veloqx Audi of Scotsman McNish and German duo Frank Biela and Pierre Kaffer, faster by just 0.224secs around the 8.454-mile circuit than Herbert’s effort on Wednesday, will start the 72nd running of the famous French marathon from second position - 0.395secs slower than Herbert.

Herbert is bidding to repeat his 1991 Le Mans triumph for the Northamptonshire-based Veloqx Audi squad which, despite only being formed six months ago, starts this year’s gruelling race with a 100% winning record after victories at Sebring (USA) and Monza (Italy).

Preview

"British" Audi team bids for Le Mans glory

Audi UK Press, 1st June 2004: Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx contests the 72nd Le Mans 24 Hours (12-13 June) aiming to record the German manufacturer’s fourth win in five years in the annual French race.

The British team starts the twice round-the-clock encounter in stunning form after wins in the Sebring 12 Hours (20 Mar) - its maiden race - and Monza 1,000km (9 May) having also set the fastest two times in the Le Mans Pre-Test (25 Apr). Veloqx Audi drivers currently top the American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Endurance Series standings.

The Infineon & Canon supported Veloqx Audi team, formed just six months ago, enters a brace of Michelin-shod Audi R8 “open-top” sportscars in arguably the world’s toughest motor race with a driver line-up that can already boast six outright Le Mans race wins.

Frank Biela (2000/1/2), Johnny Herbert (1991), Allan McNish (1998) and Guy Smith (2003) are joined in the Veloqx Audi line-up by 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours GTS class winner Jamie Davies and Le Mans “rookie” Pierre Kaffer. In the Pre-Test at Le Mans in April, McNish (3min 32.615secs) and Herbert (3:32.627) set the two fastest times around the 8.454-mile track consisting of closed public roads.

Audi R8 - #88

Jamie Davies (GB). Age 30. Born / Lives: Charlton Adam nr Yeovil, England: “Audi’s new aero package worked extremely well as did Michelin’s tyre compounds at the Pre-Test and we have laid a solid foundation for the race week. It’s difficult to ‘enjoy’ Le Mans because there is so much going on each day which for us starts with technical checks and scrutineering on Tuesday afternoon, then two nights of qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday. Add in the team briefings and media interviews, the time goes very quickly although you do get a chance to savour the atmosphere during the Drivers’ Parade on Friday evening in the Le Mans town centre. Then it’s race day and hopefully I’ll have no time to relax until 4pm on Sunday afternoon when I’ll be standing on the winner’s rostrum! Last year, I shared the Prodrive Veloqx Ferrari 550 in a GTS class win and obviously on this occasion I’m hoping that it will be first place overall. Le Mans 24 Hours - fourth career appearance: 1998 Panoz Motorsports Panoz-Ford GTR-1. Qual: 11th Race: 7th 2001 Panoz Motorsports Panoz LMP07. Qual: 21st Race: Retired 2003 Veloqx Prodrive Racing 550 GTS Maranello. Qual: 19th/1st * Race:10th/1st * * GTS Class Position

Johnny Herbert (GB)

Le Mans 24 Hours - seventh career appearance:
1990 Mazdaspeed Mazda 787B. Qual: 22nd Race: Retired
1991 Mazdaspeed Mazda 787B. Qual: 19th Race: 1st
1992 Mazdaspeed Mazda RX01. Qual: 7th Race: 4th
2001 Team ADT Champion Racing 2001-spec Audi R8. Qual: 3rd Race: Retired
2002 Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R8. Qual: 1st Race: 2nd
2003 Team Bentley EXP Speed 8. Qual: 2nd (JH)Race: 2nd+FL (JH)

“I won the 1991 Le Mans race but having finished second for the past two years, I know it’s not going to be easy. We (Jamie, Guy & I) will have massive competition from the #8 Veloqx Audi while having also driven for the Champion Audi team regularly, I know how strong they will be - it has the ingredients for a great battle and perhaps a ‘classic’ Le Mans race.

"Le Mans is the big one that I want to win again - the jewel on any driver’s CV. The circuit is very challenging with the Porsche curves arguably the best series of corners on any existing track which keeps a driver’s concentration focussed.

"The night time is a very important element of the race, you gain a huge psychological boost if, at 8am for example, you’re in the lead with a big advantage. I’ve learnt to be able to take cat naps during the race which can be a massive help.”

Jamie Davies (GB)

Le Mans 24 Hours - fourth career appearance:
1998 Panoz Motorsports Panoz-Ford GTR-1. Qual: 11th Race: 7th
2001 Panoz Motorsports Panoz LMP07. Qual: 21st Race: Retired
2003 Veloqx Prodrive Racing 550 GTS Maranello. Qual: 19th/1st * Race:10th/1st * * GTS Class Position

“Audi’s new aero package worked extremely well as did Michelin’s tyre compounds at the Pre-Test and we have laid a solid foundation for the race week.

"It’s difficult to ‘enjoy’ Le Mans because there is so much going on each day which for us starts with technical checks and scrutineering on Tuesday afternoon, then two nights of qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday. Add in the team briefings and media interviews, the time goes very quickly although you do get a chance to savour the atmosphere during the Drivers’ Parade on Friday evening in the Le Mans town centre. Then it’s race day and hopefully I’ll have no time to relax until 4pm on Sunday afternoon when I’ll be standing on the winner’s rostrum!

"Last year, I shared the Prodrive Veloqx Ferrari 550 in a GTS class win and obviously on this occasion I’m hoping that it will be first place overall."

Guy Smith (GB)

Le Mans 24 Hours - fourth career appearance:
2000 Johansson-Matthews Reynard Judd 2KQ. Qual: 21st Race: Retired
2001 Team Bentley EXP Speed 8. Qual: 8th Race: Retired
2003 Team Bentley EXP Speed 8. Qual: 1st Race: 1st

“I’m in good physical shape while the Veloqx Audi team, by winning the opening rounds of the American Le Mans Series (Sebring 12 Hours) and Le Mans Endurance Series (Monza 1,000km) have shown they are very competitive.

"To win Le Mans once is a great achievement for a driver but to win it twice, you join an elite group. Le Mans features fast, challenging corners and a good, all-round lap gives a driver a huge amount of satisfaction.

"There is likely to be a big British contingent in the crowd and as a driver, you tend to ‘feed’ off their support and it would be fantastic if we can give them something to cheer about at 4pm on Sunday afternoon.

"A victory for Jamie, Johnny and I would be the first-ever all-British, three-driver combination to win the annual endurance classic at Le Mans and considering it’s the 72nd race, that would be something special.”

Sam Li, Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx - Team Principal:

"Team Veloqx's 100% success record in all ACO events from 2003 to date speaks for itself! Car 8 & 88 proved (at Sebring & Monza) that they can both meet the challenge of our competitors at any track and in any race. We travel to Le Mans to fight for the overall title while recognising the strength of the competition.

"Team morale is high but no complacency exists - which sets the tone for Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx’s upcoming Le Mans challenge, the most important race in the team's history."

David Ingram, Audi UK - Motorsport Manager:

“With a first and third place finish at Sebring and a first and second at Monza, the prospects for a good result at Le Mans would seem very good. But we never underestimate the challenge that is the Le Mans 24 hour race.

"We have the drivers, the team and the car to do the job but we also need a little bit of luck. Le Mans is an awesome challenge and that's what makes it one of the world's greatest motor races.”

Herbert commented: “The car felt fairly good at the end of the morning when I did most of the driving although there was still too much understeer. I drove for the final 45mins in the afternoon and managed to achieve the second quickest time with five minutes to go.

“The timetable during the race week doesn’t allow you to experiment and make changes to the car – especially with three drivers sharing a car. We get two evenings of qualifying for grid positions before the actual race weekend so today was vital.

“We were able to try different tyre compounds, suspension settings and calculate fuel consumption. All of these elements are critical in a race which is essentially a 24 Hour ‘sprint’ with the average speed likely to be in excess of 130mph depending on weather for a day!”

Frank Biela (D). Age: 39. Born: Neuss, Germany. Lives: Monte Carlo, Monaco: “Our car’s only problem all day was when I ran wide in to the gravel when a backmarker almost forced me off the track but thankfully there was no damage to the car and soon afterwards I set my personal best time [3:35.206]. We are in good shape for the race.”

Pierre Kaffer (D). Age 27. Born: Bad-Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Ger. Lives: Burgbrohl, Ger: “This was my first experience of the circuit and it is very fast - it’s amazing, I love it and cannot wait to race here - especially at night. I was content to drive steadily and let my experienced co-drivers fine-tune the Audi. Judging by our R8’s time, this worked well.”

Allan McNish (GB). Age: 34. Born: Dumfries, Scotland. Lives: Monte Carlo, Monaco: “After a four year absence, it’s good to be back at Le Mans! We worked through a tyre programme before lunch, collecting valuable data for the race. Prospects look encouraging but the competition, not just from the other Audi teams, will be tough. I got back on track with 70mins to run and managed to break the 3m34s barrier with 20-minutes to go then sub 33s with just six minutes left which turned out to be the fastest.”

Johnny Herbert (GB). Age 39. Born: Brentwood, England. Lives: Monte Carlo, Monaco: “The car felt fairly good at the end of the morning when I did most of the driving although there was still too much understeer. I drove for the final 45mins in the afternoon and managed to achieve the second quickest time with five minutes to go.”

Jamie Davies (GB). Age 30. Born / Lives: Yeovil, England: “I’m a little frustrated myself in that I could not find a ‘clear’ lap and always lost time due to slower cars on my quick laps but I was still getting used to driving an Audi R8 at Le Mans. The important thing is that our car is on the pace and we proved that today.”

Guy Smith (GB). Age 28. Born / Lives: Beverley, England: “I made a number of changes to the car when I drove in the afternoon session which gradually improved the handling. We’ve all worked well together and Johnny’s time ultimately underlined the progress that we have made today with our car.”

“Having finished first and third at Sebring and now claimed the two fastest times in the Le Mans Pre-Test, Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx are under pressure - but it’s a nice sort of pressure! The competition will be tough here in June, that is certain but we must attempt to repeat this form at Monza and in the 24 Hour race. What is especially pleasing is that entire team is performing – absolutely everyone.”

“We came here with high expectations after our Sebring victory, acknowledging that the competition, particularly the other Audis, was very strong. We had to wait until the last few laps of the session, but to finish up 1st and 2nd quickest gives us real confidence for the race in June. There is no doubt that this team is up there with the best.”

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