ALMS - Houston - ALMS – Houston – Warm Up
All Audi

Saturday morning’s warm up session saw the two Audi R10s 1-2 on the time sheets, ahead of the Andretti Green Acura, then the two Penske Porsches sandwiching the pole position Highcroft Acura.

Capello, Pirro and Franchitti the younger set the three best times.

If that was something of a surprise (Audi 1-2), then the Risi Ferrari atop the GT2 times wasn’t, Mika Salo again setting the fastest time (#62 has been fastest in every session bar one at Houston) – but perhaps the #71 Tafel Porsche in second was a surprise. Tony Dowe had promised to have the cars set up ready for the race, and Wolf Henzler proved that with a 1:10.180 (compared to Salo’s 1:10.135).

Still with Mika Salo, Fiona Miller passes on the news that Paul Rodgers (rock star, formerly of Bad Company) gave a concert last night at the track. Mika Salo is a long time fan, and a bit of a heavy rock fanatic all round (with a guitar collection to apparently rival Mike Jankowski’s!), so Fiona pulled a few strings and got him backstage for an introduction. Mika was dead chuffed. While they were waiting for Rodgers to arrive, Mika was telling Fiona about the right wing mirror on his race car. They are carbon, but instead of being round edged (on the outside) it is now flat - because he shaved off millimetres every time he went past the walls. So close every time, but no other damage. Finesse indeed.

Tomas Enge is also here this weekend, with the Petersen White Lightning team. The affable Czech was naturally the centre of attention on his arrival. He looks so well it’s hard to believe the size of the accident he had just a few weeks ago. His left arm is in a tubi-grip bandage but there’s no other outward sign of his injuries. He said, “My elbow is getting better every day, and I’m staying in Indianapolis as there I am next to the trainer who is putting me back in shape. My goal is to be able to straighten the arm again, although the doctor said it might never be completely straight. It’s getting stronger each day although I can’t put any weight on it (e.g. carry anything) yet. My ribs still hurt a little bit but they are improving as well. The lung wasn’t punctured, but it had collapsed - but that is now all okay.”

Right, all set for the race: this could be very good indeed….