Team NASAMAX – Le Mans 2004
Thursday: Qualifying

Session 1
The Nasamax team had something to prove on Thursday, having had gear ratio problems and a misfire to resolve in the Wednesday sessions. Fears about heavy rainstorms proved to be unfounded: after a couple of showers in the afternoon, the evening stayed dry.

Robbie Stirling was asked by a journalist how the car was in the wet? “I don’t know yet, I’ve never driven the car in the rain ...” (Robbie had missed out on the wet session during the Monza LMES race in May when the car finished eighth). “The setting on the car has completely changed, it’s a soft set up now, I think it should be better. “It was such a mess last night, so many cars went off.”

The team is not really looking for fast times just yet, just to get into the field and worry about the race.

Robbie Stirling was first out at the green flag, eager to qualify. His first full lap was a 3:52.049, then 3:52.741 and 4.03.183 and he was in the ‘qualified’ list. He handed over to Kevin McGarrity at 19.25, at a fuel and tyre stop, which also allowed a pit stop rehearsal. “We have as much speed as the faster cars down the straights,” said Robbie, beaming.

Kevin McGarrity reported gear selection problems and brought the car back in, only to stop again at the weighbridge, which is becoming a favourite haunt of the car. Perhaps the officials like the colour scheme. Kevin sought John McNeil’s advice on the radio about gear selection, to get the car back to the pit at the far end of the pitlane. With the paddle shift system, the driver cannot select neutral manually and then a gear.

The team removed the gearshift ‘box’ which was leaking and causing the selection problems. It had been taken for servicing by the supplier and a slight error had been made, which meant it had to be hurriedly rebuilt, while Kevin waited in the car. This repair allowed time for discussion between John McNeil, chief engineer Brian Ireland and the drivers, about the balance of the car and the choice and pressures of the Dunlop tyres. A new set up was ‘generated’, with the addition of the gurney flap on the rear wing to give more downforce. “It’s fine on the straights, but we’ve got to be OK with the balance as well,” said Robbie. In the meantime, the car had dropped to 17th place.

At 20.25, David Brabham set fastest time in the Zytek, with 3:33.932, another chassis design by Nasamax chassis man Kieron Salter. At 20.45, Kevin rejoined the track for two flying laps, and set 3:44.379 on the 31st lap for the car in the session, taking the DM139 back to 14th place. The team finished the session somewhat happier.

“We are on old race tyres,” said John McNeil. “If only we cold run undisturbed we can find more. It’s already six seconds quicker than we were at the test weekend, which has got to be good.”

Kevin McGarrity was also happier. “It’s our first proper run, and it’s now going well, in the right direction. That’s an OK time on old race rubber. There was a lot of traffic, but then it is Le Mans! I’m going out the back to kiss the blarney stone and lose this traffic. We should be 2-3 seconds quicker...” The team plans to run a full second session and see what can be done……

Session 2
A precious 19 minutes of this session were lost waiting for the gearshift ‘box’ to be returned from its rebuild. The car left the pits at 22.19 with Werner Lupberger at the wheel, setting a time of 3.43.597 six minutes later. The car returned for new tyres and again a couple of laps later for more new tyres and fuel, as the team worked on the balance for the car. A new fastest time of 3.42.429 was set at 22.57 by Werner as the team improved the set-up, placing the car 14th again.

Werner: "It’s been very dirty out there, lots of gravel where people have gone off. It’s now getting cleaner. We knew we had more potential from the car, and I think we can do a 3 min 40. Kevin’s been great, consistent and good with the set-up, he’s brought a lot to the team and we’re all pushing each other, which is good."

At 23.00 Kevin took the wheel from Werner, the car was refuelled and left on a new set of tyres. At 23.16 a top speed of 308.50 kph was recorded.

Robbie Stirling (right) was back in the car for the final stint at 23.38 with more fuel and new rubber, and reported on his return at the chequered flag that the car was much better balanced.

All in all, an evening of steady progress once the gremlins had gone. John McNeil’s final remarks: "We all agree there should be a 3.39 in the car, but it’s not possible to do that in the dark. We’re happy enough with the way it turned out and the car appears to be nicely set for the race."

www.nasamax.com

www.nasamax.com/en/gallery_3.asp - Link to Nasamax video from Monza 1000 Kms