By setting the quickest qualifying time in the LMP2 class, the RS Spyder fielded by Penske Motorsports is in a good starting position for the eighth round of the American Le Mans Series. On the legendary Road America course in the US state of Wisconsin the Weissach-developed and built sports prototypes, which have excelled this season by securing five overall victories so far, take up the race on Saturday from the second row.
Claiming the fastest time in the LMP2 class and setting a new lap record was Romain Dumas. The Frenchman shares the #7 RS Spyder with Timo Bernhard (Germany), with whom he has celebrated three overall wins at Long Beach, Houston and Mid-Ohio this season and clearly leads the championship. Posting the second fastest time was Ryan Briscoe (Australia) in the #6 RS Spyder, which he shares with Sascha Maassen (Germany). The duo have netted two overall victories in Salt Lake City and Lime Rock.
“During the last practice the balance of our car wasn’t as good as usual. So we worked on the set-up and came out somewhat late in qualifying,” said Romain Dumas. “Therefore I wasn’t really sure if I could turn a good lap. But somehow it worked so now I’m feeling quite optimistic for the race. Our goal is to win the LMP2 class and further increase our lead in the championship. And that’s what we will be concentrating on.”
In the #20 RS Spyder, run by the US privateer Dyson Racing team with Porsche support, Guy Smith (Great Britain) turned the fifth quickest time in the LMP2 class. His team mate for the race is Chris Dyson (USA). In the #16 sister car, partnered by Butch Leitzinger (USA), Andy Wallace (Great Britain) claimed the seventh fastest time.
In the GT2 class for modified production sportscars, title defender Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) netted fourth at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by Flying Lizard Motorsports. Bergmeister and team mate Johannes van Overbeek (USA) recently secured two class victories in succession. Tom Milner (USA) qualified his Rahal Letterman Racing 911 GT3 RSR in fifth.
Qualifying results
1. Allan McNish (GB), Audi R10 (LMP1), 1:47.665 minutes
2. Marco Werner (D), Audi R10 (LMP1), 0.371 behind
3. Romain Dumas (F), Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2), 1.168
4. Ryan Briscoe (AUS), Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2), 1.452
5. David Brabham (AUS), Acura ARX (LMP2), 2.102
6. Marino Franchitti (GB), Acura ARX (LMP2), 2.435
7. Guy Smith (GB), Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2), 2.646
8. Luis Diaz (MEX), Acura ARX (LMP2), 3.600
9. Andy Wallace (GB), Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2), 3.624
10. Jamie Bach (USA), Lola B07-Mazda (LMP2), 5.212