LMS, Paul Ricard Test – Sunday Conversations II Rob Bell (After setting fastest GT2 time in the first session) “We’re testing a number of different tyres this weekend – I’m delighted that we set a good time so early but that’s not to say that we can translate that immediately into that pace coupled with good tyre life – Either way though it’s good to start with a fast car and go from there.” Guy Smith “I’ve not been out yet (in the #13 Rebellion Lola) Jean Christophe has done most of the running this morning and Andrea (Belicchi) got in for a few laps too but then the team needed to give Marco (Andretti) some seat time and his car was in the garage. On Dyson racing’s campaign “We definitely haven’t shown our hand yet – but then again neither have the opposition! I’m enjoying the Dunlops though and as for the equalisation debate – I still don’t know where we really are but as far as I’m concerned we’re out to beat Brabs and Highcroft and the Porsche Spyder and I think we can give that a good go.” Stephane Lemeret “I’m only testing here (with the KSM Lola Judd) but of course I have an idea where I want that to lead! “They have made me a very fair offer and it gives me a chance to build up my experience in an LMP, something I have done very little of so far. On the prospects for a drive in 2010 “I have been in contact with AF Corse but they have a clear plan in the Le mans Series and in Open GT whilst they had a car for me they had nobody available to share the drive. “I’m still in touch with them though about the Spa 24 Hours but the problem there though is that a GT3 car could win the race this year. “The problem is that if they allow the BMW M3 GT2 to race then they must also allow in the VLN spec cars – If they do that then an Audi R8, with the larger tank and more power, will win the race.” John Hartshorne (on the JMB Formula Le Mans car) “We’re the old boy car but on the good side we’re all within half a second of each other. The car is good fun but thee’s way more to come out of it than we are going to find.” As an aside John told dsc that the ex Peninsula/ De Walt TVR T400R is about to be put on display at the Heritage Motoring Museum at Gaydon. Marcus Palttala (Marc VDS Racing Ford GT) “ We’re moving forward. There’s been a lot of work put in – this is our 7th test day – but there’s a lot more work still to come. “Like many of the teams the weather has restricted the work we’ve been able to get out our testing. “The team look likely to run one Ford at the Spa 1000kms and of course I’d love to be part of that – but that’s for others to decide and announce. “My last GT1 car was a Corvette (oddly the very same C6.R as Enrique Bernoldi was commenting on in our Conversations I piece from this morning) and the two cars are totally different. “The basic balance of the Ford, with a mid-engined layout – is very good but the weak point is the engine – We have the smallest engine in the class and we need to work hard on reliability with Roush. “The old cars are probably quicker just now but we wait and see whjat the balance of performance will bring.” How different is the 2010 Ford GT from last year’s car? “I had a single day with last years car and I can tell you that it is entirely different in just about every respect.” Adrian Fernandez “I’ll be with the team for every race they do this season. “The main job here is to get comfortable with the car at this circuit. I have never been here before and we’re racing here in a month’s time. “The Lola Aston cockpit doesn’t allow much of a view and it takes a while to learn where the extremities are, to spot the apexes and to get the best racing lines. “I felt much better in the car this afternoon.” How does the car compare to his 2009 Acura LMP2? “You can’t throw this car around as much as the Acura ort be as aggressive, and because this car is heavier you can’t brake as late either. All around the Aston is a trickier car but it rewards a smoother style which is why getting comfortable with it is so important.” Allan Simonsen “We’re just working slowly away with a lot of tyre work. The temperature is making that difficult so our progress is slower than we planned. It’s so cold that it’s taking a long run to get the required heat into the tyres so any evaluation run is longer than it otherwise would be. Allan also revealed that the yellow wheels will be replaced by rims with the Hankook orange for the racing season. Neel Jani: On A1GP “It’s a shame – particularly because they still owe me prize money!” Have you had much time in the car Neel? “I had a few laps in Portimao but the rain storms really spoiled that test – I at least got some sensible mileage at Monteblanco in wet and dry conditions. “Here I had a problematic start I completed only 6 laps in two stints– first some issues with the tyres on my first run and then the accelerator pedal stuck down and wouldn’t come up – pretty frightening, it’s lucky there’s plenty of run-off. It happened later to Marco too, but the pedal at least came back then – The team are looking at it, it’s a very unusual problem – and a pretty scarey one! Nicola Larini “I really enjoyed the test here with the team before Christmas, the 430 is a good race car and I’d like to do more. “Apart from that test my experience in closed cars is very limited, an Alfa ITC car and some development work on the Ferrari F50 road car and some Ferrari (36) Challenge cars.” “The plan is that I may do the first race (at Paul Ricard) and then we will see.” | 
