Nurburgring – Race Morning
Much Brighter

A little bit more delving this morning, into the tyres issue, and we reckon we were largely on the right lines yesterday: the petrol-powered LMP1 cars seem to be fitted with the same rubber, apparently, as the diesel-powered cars (on the same brand of tyre) – with all that torque and downforce.

There are issues at Charouz, with the Lola apparently having failed the post-qualifying scrutineering check. Nothing official has been said, although it seems probable that the car will have to start from the back of the grid, or from pit lane. The Charouz Lola set a 1:49.8 this morning, ninth fastest.

Some good news – the weather is much brighter today, and with warm sunshine and hazy cloud, we’re in for a good day.

The Peugeots were fastest, of course, with times in the high 44s/low 45s, the next best lap being a 1:47.313 from Joao Barbosa in the Rollcentre Pescarolo. Martin Short was very pleased with the way qualifying went with the fourth-placed car at Le Mans: “We were only working towards the race, so that was the race set-up.” Which seemed to work very well this morning.

‘Shorty’ has a cold, and so does Peter Owen.

“We worry more about our ailments – arthritis, piles, bad back etc. – than we do about understeer or oversteer,” remarked Bob Berridge, who seemed to have the same cold (but was as jovial as ever). This is he in practice yesterday, in the final session before qualifying.

The rest of the top six read Chilton (Arena Zytek), Nakano (Creation) and Erdos (RML, fastest in P2).

The Brazilian was two seconds faster than the Quifel ASM Lola, second in P2. On the right are the two pole position men in British entries, Rob Bell for Virgo and Erdos for RML.

The Saleens were 1-2 in GT1, while GT2 was Felbermayr Porsche (#77) from IMSA Porsche from GPC Ferrari (#97).

The Lavaggi was out and running, but still outside 1:50 (1:52.937). All 50 cars set a time.

Swiss Spirit, what does Jean-Denis Deletraz have to say about its absence?

“I am not able to say more (than the official reason) - a break for technical reasons.

”But we are still alive...Back soon with good news.”

Two top Lolas in problems then, which is a shame.