Team NASAMAX – Le Mans 2004
Wednesday: Qualifying

Session 1
The Le Mans 24 Hours event (on the track) has finally arrived and Team NASAMAX showed its enthusiasm by lining up to be first out on the Circuit de la Sarthe. The setting for the first qualifying session on Wednesday was a beautiful warm – very warm - evening. Hopes were high within the team as gains in speed and reliability have been coming in great strides in recent months. Final checks before qualifying, below.

Werner Lupberger was first to step into the car to see what the bio-ethanol fuelled Judd engine could do.

“Since the Test Day we made so many improvements and at Monza the car was even better,” Lupberger said.

The South African driver was happy to be in the first car onto track, even though that could mean battling a dusty and slippery surface during the first few laps.

“It’s very special to be able to be involved in this team and I’m quite excited to see all the supporters at Virage d’Arnage, I may even wave on my out lap.”

Lupberger ran a respectable first flying lap at 3:53.597, but a lap later, at 19:13, he was forced to pit to change the gear ratios. The NASAMAX Judd was running 6 km faster than at the Test Day and the NASAMAX crew knew there was more to come with a slight change of ratios. At 19:50, the bodywork was back on and the car left the garage with Lupberger still at the controls. However on his out lap, Werner was told to pit again. The gear ratios needed looking at again and the team wanted to make sure everything was absolutely spot on before any more laps were completed. The crew double checked everything so the car would not be ‘lost’ out on the track for any reason.

At 20:34, Lupberger left pit lane to start a proper fast lap. On his one and only flying lap, he posted a 3:50.115 and came back into the pits. Any gear ratio problems were now solved and the car was refuelled, Kevin McGarrity then taking over at 20:54 for his first stint of the evening. McGarrity is a brand new member of Team NASAMAX, having joined between the Test Day and the actual race.

“It’ll be new for me since I haven’t been here since 2002, so I’ll be getting my bearings at first.”

The Northern Ireland native took the chequered flag to close out the first session with a 3:53.047 final lap time.

Session 2
It was a session of ups and downs for Team NASAMAX during Wednesday’s second session, from 22:00 to midnight. It took a little over half an hour to get the car, out due to a slight misfire. The crew took appropriate action and changed the spark plugs, injectors, coils and ECU.

It was then Robbie Stirling’s turn at the wheel as he peeled out of the pits at 22:32. He set some early, night, laps in the low 4:00s. After several laps, Stirling came in with a slight engine problem.

The NASAMAX crew were relieved to find the cause after 35 minutes in the pits. A broken wire in the injection system was difficult to diagnose but easily repaired and Kevin McGarrity set out out on a series of flying laps. He gave NASAMAX its best time of the two evening sessions with a 3:49.779; good enough for 15th spot.

“The engine is going fantastically, it’s just a matter of getting a clear lap,” McGarrity said.
“There is some gravel on the chicane which makes it difficult as well.”

At 23:48, Werner Lupberger left the pits to complete the required night-time laps and managed a 4:00.179 on the dark course.

All three drivers have completed their night time laps.

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