PK Sport at Le Mans - Wednesday - Qualifying

First Session

Seven o’clock and the start of the first of Wednesday’s two qualifying sessions came towards the end of a hot, humid day. The conditions in this first period were never going to be conducive towards the fastest times, but if it was too hot on the track it was hotter still inside the cockpit of the closed cars.

Robin Liddell, who has recently signed a deal with Arai racing helmets, took the opportunity to file smooth a freshly-drilled hole in the chin guard of his new helmet. This would take the tube from his water bottle, while underneath his race suit he’d be wearing a fluid-cooled undervest, or “coolsuit”.

Robin was not, however, first out in the #78 Porsche. Youngest of the three drivers, Piers Masarati, was given the honour of giving the new PK Sport 911-GT3 its debut at this year’s Le Mans. His instructions were clear and he followed them to the letter; completing one out-lap, three flyers, and then returning to the pitlane. That would be enough to satisfy half the organiser’s requirement that each individual driver should complete a minimum of three timed laps in both daylight and night.

David Warnock then clambered in to follow the same routine. His run too went smoothly, although we don’t suppose he was over impressed to be blue flagged as he roared down the pit straight ahead of the #70 JMB Racing Ferrari 360!

David completed his run at quarter-to-eight before handing over to Robin Liddell. With the track starting to cool just a little, this was the period when the times might begin to fall. Nearing the end of the first hour the fastest time in GT stood at just under four minutes thirteen, set by the #93 Alex Job Racing Porsche on qualifying rubber. By quarter past the hour Robin had pushed PK up to fourth in class with the car’s best-to-date of 4:16.527, but was still using standard tyres. Having set that time he returned to the pit garage to have some adjustments made to the front and rear anti-roll bars before resuming his charge.

As predicted, times continued to fall with the evening. Class pole dropped to 4:10.650 while Robin Liddell shaved his best down to 4:14.460, and that was how things stood when the chequered flag dropped to close the first session. Robin’s final lap didn’t go quite according to plan, however. Fortunately he was already heading for the pits when it became clear that coolant was escaping from the front radiators. “I was coming in anyway,” he shrugged, “so it was no real drama. I saw the oil and water temperatures starting to rise, but nothing serious.”

While a split hose was hardly something the team wanted, it couldn’t have happened at a more convenient time! With an hour to the second session the crew had plenty of time to fit a replacement. It was also an opportunity to catch up with Mike Pickup. “I’m happy with the way that went,” he said, very matter-of-fact. “David has set his time, well within qualifying. Piers has done the same, and Robin’s time was good enough for fourth. We’ve made a few changes to the car, including something pretty major, since the test here in May, and it’s clear that the car has improved. Now, on top of that, we’ve added some valuable tyre data tonight. So far we’ve only used the standard race tyre, but we’ll put a set of qualifiers on for Robin later this evening.”

What did Mike hope for the team in qualifying? “In the big scheme of things it would be nice to stick it on pole, but it doesn’t make a lot of difference ten minutes into the race, does it?” In truth, achieving pole would be a huge triumph for PK, who recognise that they’re up against factory squads here at Le Mans. More realistic is the aspiration to line up fourth or fifth for Saturday’s race. “We’re being reasonably conservative,” concedes Robin Liddell. “Today is also our qualifying day – tomorrow we won’t be able to go flat out for a quick time with the new engine fitted.” Piers Masarati shared that view. “In all honesty, we’re fighting for third or fourth at best,” he said. “Anything higher than that would be a bonus.”

Second Session

It wasn’t quite dark when the second qualifying period started at nine, but it was distinctly cooler. Immediately the fastest times started to tumble, especially at the sharpest end of the grid, where the prototypes were starting to threaten three thirty-five. Robin Liddell’s first – and only – flyer was a stunning 4:11.623 that propelled the PK Sport Porsche through to second in GT. It was the only chance Robin was going to be given, with the other two drivers needing to set their required night-time laps, but it gave a hint of what might lie beyond.

Next out was David Warnock, but it proved to be a brief excursion. Having completed his out-lap he was just yards into his first flying timed lap when his run came to an abrupt end. “I was hit by a prototype going into the Dunlop chicane,” he said with obvious surprise. “It all happened so quickly! I’m not sure who it was, since there were three or four of us going into the corner, but it was a hefty thump” He had to coax the stricken Porsche gently round for almost an entire lap before he could find refuge in the pitlane. “He’s a hero!” said a remarkably unperturbed Mike Pickup, slapping David on the back. “He got it back here in one piece.”

In fact the front right trackrod was broken and the hub had sheared. The prototype in question turned out to be the pole-setting #7 Bentley with Tom Kristensen at the wheel – but one wouldn’t expect anything less for David Warnock, of course. “The guys are doing their utmost to fix it and it shouldn’t take long,” he insisted. Like the earlier incident, it was no great drama as far as the team was concerned, with Robin Liddell having completed his qualifying and setting that impressive time of 4:11.623. “The main concern is that Piers and I still need to do our qualifying laps in the dark,” added David as he sat, still suited-up and helmeted, waiting for the mechanics to complete their work.

His frustration was further exacerbated when, within seconds of having been given the all-clear to get back into the car, the session was red flagged. This was due to a spectacular engine failure on the #23 Pilbeam, which promptly spewed a lengthy steam of oil all along the racing line. It took some while for the marshals to treat the spillage and cost everyone valuable qualifying time. David sat near the head of the queue waiting for the lights to turn green, but only did a single lap, out and back, before handing on to Piers. He completed the session and his three night-time laps, with the chequered flag signalling the close at midnight.

“I’m very happy with that time tonight,” said a smiling Robin Liddell. “We’re running a 2001-spec engine at the moment, and won’t get the new engine until tomorrow.” That means the car is likely to be well down on power when compared to the other Porsche teams. “We’re not going to be able to compete with the three factory cars until we get that better engine into the car, but the time we did today is still the fastest we’ve ever managed round here in three years of trying. At the end of the day we’re aiming to be the best privateer, and if we can achieve that, well, I’d be very satisfied, but it’s early days yet.”

Team Owner Mike Pickup appeared content with the way the evening had gone. “I’m extremely happy with Robin’s lap,” he said, “and I’m convinced there’s still more to come with the new unit. I think we may need to get David back out there again tomorrow, if only to ensure he’s done his correct number of night laps.” While annoying at the time, Mike had a positive viewpoint on the two minor incidents. “I’m pleased to have got those two silly problems out of the way today,” he said. “Better now than on Saturday! As usual, the boys did a great job to get everything fixed in double-quick time.”

Tomorrow, Thursday, the engineers will strip out the current engine and replace it with the new unit from the Porsche factory. They will also rebuild much of the steering and front suspension, if only to ensure that there was no consequential damage arising from the knock. “We need to do a good run again tomorrow in order to bed in the new unit and establish an idea of the fuel consumption on the different engine,” explained Robin, all of which means that it will be another lengthy day for the mechanics and a late night for the whole team.