LMS Test Paul Ricard – Into The Evening

Things had been running smoothly at Team Modena, as the team and drivers continued to gather data and experience with the new Ferrari.

How much experience of the car did Antonio Garcia have? “This is my third day,” he smiled. “It being a lower category (than GT1), I need to get used to the lower power, aero, braking of the cars, etc. and need to understand how to drive these cars.

“We’re gathering data all the time, and the whole team is moving forward at the same pace. We need a big background of knowledge behind us; understanding the balance of the car, and here (at Ricard) we can do that without just looking for extra pace in the small amount of time you have at a race meeting.”

Leo Mansell had done the majority of the driving on the first day; was he asking the Spaniard many questions about this style of driving? “This is what today is all about,” confirmed Garcia.

“Leo needs to ask questions – it’s a new car and a new kind of racing. He needs to understand how the car reacts to tyre wear and fuel load changes and how he needs to react to the car’s reaction. So we’re giving him most of the time in the car to bring him up to that higher level.”

Another driver to have experienced a lot of seat time on Sunday was RML’s Tommy Erdos; “It’s going very well,” began the Brazilian. “We’ve still got so much to learn about the car, but we had two good days in the Algarve and it’s been very reliable today.

“The feel of the car is good and we’re happy with our time, although it was set on new rubber. It’s a shame there aren’t more (LMP2) cars here – we’d have liked to have seen how we compared against the Racing Box cars – but the Essex Porsche and Quifel ASM Zytek should be good benchmarks.

“I’ve done most of the driving today, because we felt it was better to have one driver in the car to work on getting a good base set-up. Now we’ve done that, Mike (Newton) and Chris (Dyson) will take over tomorrow and I probably won’t drive.”

Chris Dyson:

“The team is very well prepared and the car is immaculately presented. “

How do you, at 6’2” fit in the Coupe?

“Actually it’s a real credit to Lola that there is loads of room in what looks from the outside to be a very tight package – I’m more comfortable in this car than in many of the open topped cars that we’ve had before.”

And I take it you are looking forward to getting back to Le Mans?

“Oh yes.  It will be terrific to be back there for the first time since 2004 (when Chris raced a Racing for Holland Dome).  I decided that when I came back it would have to be with a very well prepared team that could challenge for the win.  I think we have that here.”

So is there any chance that we’ll see Dyson Racing at Le Mans any time soon?

“Well this year our priority is the ALMS of course but there’s no doubt that our current multi-year agreement with Mazda gives us options.  We’ll be looking after all of the important relationships, keeping our eyes open and looking to the future.

“Make no mistake, taking the team to Le Mans has long been an ambition for dad and I.  We know that the team has a big following in Europe and we’d love to bring the team over to race in front of them.”

Chris Dyson will have his first run in the RML Lola in tomorrow morning’s session.

Jarek Janis:

“We have had a frustrating morning really – there was a sensor problem which cost us some time and then some other minor problems that meant we really didn’t get any proper running this morning.

“We are getting down to some proper running now and hopefully some real work tomorrow.”

So are you fully recovered from your Spa (2007) accident?

“Yes, it feels like it’s been a long  time – This is my third time back at the wheel – I raced one of my manager’s DTM cars at Brno late last year then three weeks ago I tested at Vallelunga in the Spyker.

“The injury was pretty bad, and very painful, the impact moved my second vertebrae and caused a blood clotting problem which might have been very dangerous.  Really that problem took 6 months to treat before they could concentrate on the vertebrae.

“I’m back now though and want to get back up to speed as soon as possible – I think I’ve been patient enough.”

Casper Elgaard:

“Really this effort is very close to the Team Essex that ran last year. No John (Nielsen) of course but apart from that almost all of the same people. Michelin tyres now of course but still plenty of support from Porsche as you can see.

“The programme for now is Spa and Le Mans.  Anything beyond that really depends on results.  As for the motivation?  Well we came second at le mans, that was a great result but now I want to come first!

“With the new aero we are running around 2 seconds slower tha last year but we’re working hard to claw some of that back.  I’d be delighted if we could find a second here.

Claude Schell – Pegasus Racing:

“The move to run with Avons really came from a long and very good association with them through Formula Ford, VdeV and Formula Three.

“I had told Julian Baldwin that we wanted to go racing with an LMP car and he said to me that when we decided to go forward we should let him know.

“We come here with effectively a ‘turn-key’ package, a car that was ready to run so that we can concentrate on growing as a team with a relatively reliable package.  The only element that is unusual is the Avon rubber and I’m delighted that we are the only car running with them – It means we can develop a close relationship as the tyres are developed.

“We are in this Series for the long term we hope and are here for a learning year.  We did put in an entry for the Le Mans 24 hours but I am not surprised, and not too disappointed, that the ACO said no this time – I hope that in 2010 we can show them that we should be more lucky.”

Oh and in answer to our earlier quest to identify the last time an LMP car raced on Avons we got an instant response from Steven Kilsdonk who pointed out that many of the FIA SCC SR2 cars raced on Avons as did the RfH Dome as late as 2001.

GG + MH