The tension mounts at Road Atlanta
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The tension mounts at Road Atlanta

 

Photo : Nicolas COUSSEAU - ACO/Nikon

Petit Le Mans - Intercontinental Le Mans Cup

A huge crowd has gathered at Road Atlanta to witness history in the making. The atmosphere is palpable as the clock ticks away the few hours that remain to the start of the race.

GT cars and prototypes qualify separately, but with such a big grid here at Road Atlanta the chances of a completely clear hot lap are quite slim. At least the rain held off this time and the two short afternoon sessions were warm and dry. The dash for pole is more for kudos than a significant tactical advantage in such a long race, but there is a lot at stake for sponsors and manufacturers who want their car to take the first turn in the lead. So it was that Englishman Anthony Davidson born Hemel Hempstead in a car that had been extensively rebuilt by Peugeot machanics overnight after a small excursion in night practice, that made the flying lap in qualifying that was better than he had dreamed of, to put his car at the front of the grid. There is no doubt that Peugeot are quick, they showed that at Silverstone, and 'team perfect' Audi sometimes fall victim to bad luck (also in evidence at Silverstone) and Road Atlanta is notorious as an 'anything can happen and usually does' circuit. So there is all to play for when the flag drops at 11:20am today.

In GT the Ferrari lock-lout on the front of the GT grid is a fitting swan-song for the Ferrari 430. Risi Competizione headed the spectacular Ferrari assault in qualifying The Cavallino Rampante features on the first four cars of the 17-strong GT2 grid, with Jaime Melo in the No. 61 Risi Ferrari leading the way.

 

Dave Davies

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