72nd Le Mans 24 Hours - Car-by-Car
© Janos Wimpffen

General Atmosphere
It has been years since the race at the top has been so wide open, at least insofar as teams. There is likely to be an intense contest across many hours between the three Audi entrants. There are no clear weaknesses within any of the four cars. It will take a mistake or a failure to separate one from the other.

The same is not true regarding the inter-marque contest, as the odds of a non-Audi overall victory are again slim. The pre-race sessions have confirmed that there is strength among the challenging marques and any gaps provided by the Audis will be amply filled by the likes of Courage, Zytek, and possibly Dome. That comes with a major caveat. The challengers must run as cleanly as the Audis - indeed more so. That alone may be an insurmountable task.

The LM P2 class once again looks like a saga of attrition and walking wounded. The expectation was that there would already be signs of mechanical carnage during practice and qualifying. This did not occur (indeed the pre-race sessions were kind to the bulk of the field) and that is an encouraging sign. The two Courage teams with recently installed motors have done a good job of mating the various bits, apart from some minor glitches.

Most would have said that GTS looked to be a Corvette runaway before practice began, given the results from the Test Day. However, Tomas Enge’s astonishing last minute clear track lap on Thursday turned the tables. Prodrive seems to have reached their peak at just the right moment. Then again, as Radio Le Mans commentator Jim Martin noted, Enge has angered a very large animal.

There are also signs of an unexpected inter-marque contest in GT as the JMB Ferrari has hovered around the top of the grid all week. Reliability for the lone competitive 360 Modena in the field will be an issue.

Our car-by-car review lists key personnel for each team. Exact titles are not shown, but as general rule the persons listed next to “PL” are team principals, car owners and the like. “TM” refers to team managers, tacticians, and strategists. “RE” refers to race engineers “TD” = technical directors. “CC” refers to chief mechanics, crew chiefs and those generally responsible to the car itself. “SD= sporting or business directors. The hierarchy varies from team to team.

LM P1

Champion Racing
#2
Audi R8, [605, Dallara], 3.6t, Michelin
PL; Dave Maraj
TM; Mike Peters
SD: Kay Wilson
TD; Brad Kettler
RE: Bernd Zimmerman
CC; Marcus Haselgrave, Bobby Green
JJ Lehto (SF) / Marco Werner (D) / Emmanuele Pirro (I)

very deliberate low key approach to race
will avoid problems that the team always seems to encounter
will fight for the lead

Taurus Sports Racing
#4
Lola-Judd B2K/10, [HU 05], 4.0, Dunlop
PL/TM; Ian Dawson
SD; Simon Dawson
RE: Matt Beers
CC: Andy Trim
Benjamin Leuenberger (CH) / Christian Vann (GB)/ Didier Andre (F)

low-key effort, but much more optimism here than at Monza

#10
Lola-Caterpillar B2K/10, [HU 01], 5.2 diesel, Dunlop
PL/TM; Ian Dawson
SD; Simon Dawson
RE: Richard Selwin, James Reed, Geoff Page
CC: Andy Trim
Phil Andrews (GB) / Calum Lockie (GB) / Anthony Kumpen (B)

consider this, the engine was only born three months ago, has completed only a handful of miles
this early days effort deserves endless credit but will not be around by supper time

Audi Sport Japan Team Goh
#5
Audi R8, [602, Dallara], 3.6t, Michelin
PL; Kazumichi Goh
SD: Eiji Uzushiri
TM; Torsten Robbens
RE; Joe Hausner, Tomo Witt
CC; Masaru Okazawa, Timo Watt, Takashi Kuroda
Tom Kristensen (DK)/ Seiji Ara (J)/ Rinaldo Capello (I)

arguably the second strongest Audi
good tight driver line-up
look for excellent fight for lead, better than even shot for win

Rollcentre Racing
#6
Dallara-Judd LMP, [004], 4.0, Dunlop
PL; Martin Short
TM; Colin Brunston
RE; Steve Jones
CC; Mike Tallantire, John Whitehead
Martin Short (GB)/ Rob Barff (GB)/ Joao Barbosa (P)

Short is living out a dream and enjoying every minute
Anything is possible

Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx
#8
Audi R8, [603, Dallara], 3.6t, Michelin
PL; Sam Li, David Ingram
TD; Graham Taylor
TM; Dave Ward
RE; Thorsten Pfeffer
CC; Dave Firman
Allan McNish (GB)/ Frank Biela (F)/ Pierre Kaffer (F)

bullet proof run by the works anointed team
look for non-stop battle with teammates
he who blinks first loses
the only fly in the Audi ointment will come with the possible gearbox problems
can they change a hot cluster in 6 minutes? if so, the opposition has no chance

#88
Audi R8, [604, Dallara], 3.6t, Michelin
PL; Sam Li, David Ingram
TD; Chris Gorne
TM; Dave Ward
RE; David Brown, Karl Hassenbichler
CC; Stewart Woolen
Jamie Davies (GB)/ Guy Smith (GB)/ Johnny Herbert (GB)

for no particular reason, let’s give this one the edge over #8
their victory would set a precedent of a three-person one-nation driving crew, more excuses for Brits to party

Kondo Racing
#9
Dome-Mugen S101, [04], 4.0, Yokohama
PL; Masahiko Kondon
SD; Hatsushi Kohno
TM; Hiroshi Yuchi
RE; Jerome Dadoumont, Hirokatsu Tanaka
CC; Remco Mutsaerts
Ryo Michigami (J)/ Hiroki Katoh (J)/ Ryo Fukuda (J)

Chuck Dressing of Radio Le Mans calls this the “wrong” Dome. In reality they have worked closely with their Judd powered cousins.
If the motor lasts, look for a big surprise. If it is still ticking after 12 hours it may be the best non-Audi at the end.

Panoz Motor Sports
#11
Panoz GTR-1, [004, Reynard], 6.0, Michelin
PL; Don Panoz, Jack Leconte
TM; Andy Waldrep
RE; Rob Taylor, Chip Lewis
CC; Cyrille Dabin
Jean-Luc Blanchemain (F)/ Patrick Bourdais (F)/ Roland Berville (F)

yet another nostalgia run before shuttling off to historic racing

Team Nasamax
#14
Nasamax (Reynard)-Judd DM139, [01Q-001], 5.0, Dunlop
PL; Tony King
TM; John McNeil
RE; Brian Ireland, Steve Jones
CC; Karl Griffiths
Robbie Stirling (CDN)/ Werner Lupberger (ZA) / Kevin McGarrity (GB)

they have advantages on power, throttle and torque, excellent high-speed capacity
certainly better engine reliability with the atmo Judd over the turbo Cosworth of 2003
will probably finish

Racing for Holland
#15
Dome-Judd S101, [03], 4.0, Dunlop
PL; Jan Lammers
TM; Davy Lemmens, Ian Foley
RE; Martin Faas
CC; Ian Foley, Rob Van Ulden
Jan Lammers (NL)/ Chris Dyson (USA) / Kasutomo Kaneishi (J)

practice has been a tad disappointing: after several attempts at a Lammers quickie
should be in there at the end, but where?

#16
Dome-Judd S101, [02], 4.0, Dunlop
PL; Jan Lammers
TM; Davy Lemmens, John Gentry
RE; Martin Lexmond, Marc Vandeghem
CC; Wil Lange
Tom Coronel (NL)/ Justin Wilson (GB)/ Ralph Firman (GB)

should be the better of two, clutch failure lost hours on Wednesday
team seems to still be playing catch up compared to last year

Pescarolo Sport
#17
Pescarolo (Courage)-Judd C60, [3], 4.0, Michelin
PL; Henri Pescarolo
TM; Andre de Cortanze
RE; John Judd
CC; Claude Galopin, Serge Ghezzi, Stephane Menu
Emmanuel Collard (F)/ Sebastien Bourdais (F)/ Nicolas Minassian (F)

the move to Judd was a godsend
a good solid chassis despite a supposed new name
a race leader early on?

#18
Pescarolo (Courage)-Judd C60, [4], 4.0, Michelin
PL; Henri Pescarolo
TM; Andre de Cortanze
RE; John Judd
CC; Thierry Demazeau
Soheil Ayari (F)/ Eric Comas (F)/ Benoit Treluyer (F)

#17 (above) has a little stronger driver lineup and that seems to be one of the few differences between the team cars; look for a strong run

Lister Storm Racing
#20
Lister-Chevrolet LMP, [1], 6.0, Dunlop
PL; Brian Lister
TM; Laurence Pearce
SD; Fiona Pearce
RE; Winks McDougall, Steve Curl
CC; Damien Lewis
John Nielsen (DK)/ Casper Elgaard (DK)/ Jens Möller (DK)

strong but not fast has characterized their practice run; it’s what the team needs
the target is finishing and they should be able to do so

Zytek Engineering
#22
Zytek 04S, [03], 3.4, Michelin
PL; Trevor Foster
TM; John Wickham
RE; Tim Holloway, Tom Oliver
CC; Colin Cooke
Andy Wallace (GB)/ David Brabham (AUS)/ Hayanori Shimoda (J)

one of the bright stars of qualifying
top-notch driver lineup will carry it over minor bumps, but will there be major bumps?

RML
#25
Lola MG-AER B160, [HUMG 002], 2.0t, Dunlop
PL; Ray Mallock
TM / RE; Phil Barker
RE; Paul Roper
CC; Gary Anderson
Thomas Erdos (BR)/ Nathan Kinch (GB)/ Mike Newton (GB)

An LMP thanks to being carbon chassis
going for a finish, first of the type to do so?

Intersport Racing
#27
Lola-Judd B160, [HUMG 001], 3.4, Goodyear
PL; Jon Field
SD; Gilbert Casse
TM/CC; Brian Alder
RE; Phil Bourne
Jon Field (USA)/ Duncan Dayton (USA)/ Larry Connor (USA)

miscast as P1 and struggling for pace

Noel Del Bello Racing
#29
Reynard-Lehman (Volkswagen) 2KQ, [008], 2.0t, Michelin
PL; Noel Del Bello
TM; Alexandre Del Bello
TD; Yann Cazaubon
RE; Heinz Lehmann, Peter Keller
CC; Christian Ortigosa, Alain Remy, Thierry Torcol
Jean-Luc Maury-Laribiere (F)/ Sebastian Boulay (F) / Bruno Besson (F)

third of the P1 cars that should morally be in P2; VW motor has proven reliable and car should finish

LM P2

Rachel Welter (Welter Racing)
#24
WR-Peugeot LMP, [2004-01], 2.0t, Michelin
PL; Rachel Welter, Gerard Welter
RE; Alipio Dos Santos
CC; Pierre Remond, Rene Bazerolle, Fabrice Decoene
Patrice Roussel (F)/ Yojiro Terada (J)/ Olivier Porta (F)

Terada’s 25th

Gerard Welter (Welter Racing)
#36
WR-Peugeot LMP, [2003-01], 3.4, Michelin
PL; Gerard Welter, Rachel Welter
RE; Alipio Dos Santos
CC; Jean-Christophe Bollerredat, Alexandre Laurent
CC; Fabrice Decoene
Jean-Bernard Bouvet (F)/ Tristan Gommendy (F)/ Bastian Briere (F)

typical shoulder-shrugging run by the local team

Courage Competition
#31
Courage-AER C65, [9], 2.0t, Michelin
PL; Yves Courage
TM; Claude Beshard
RE; Nicolas Perrin, Steve Dumelow
CC; Jean-Luc Chedorge
Sam Hancock (GB) / Jean-Marc Gounon (F) / Alexandre Frei (CH)

very admirable qualifying run with the late engine change
can it finish?

Intersport Racing
#32
Lola-Judd B2K/40, [HU 15, Multimatic], 3.4, Pirelli
PL; Jon Field
SD: Gilbert Casse
RE: Pat Twinley
TM; Mike Johnson
CC; Marc Walpot
Clint Field (USA)/ Bill Binnie (USA)/Rick Sutherland (USA)

if the “new” motored cars falter, this one will be in position to fight with the Belmondo car for the class lead - could be one of the better surprises

Epsilon Sport
#35
Courage Willman-IES C65, [2], 3.4, Michelin
PL; Michel Lecomte
TM; Xavier Tourliere
RE; Christophe Boittin, Graham Dale-Jones, Nick Bass
CC; David Seguin
Gunnar Jeannette (USA)/ Renard Derlot (F)/ Gavin Pickering (GB)

solid practice run with new motor; no big problems and a continuation of same will yield excellent results

Paul Belmondo Racing
#37
Courage MG-AER C65, [6], 2.0t, Michelin
PL; Paul Belmondo
TM/RE; Alain Duluard
RE; Russel Sames
CC; Freddy Anquetil
Paul Belmondo (F)/ Claude-Yves Gosselin (F) / Marco Saviozzi (F)

they had big problems early in practice which seem to have been solved; still a bit dicey, but a good shot for class victory

GTS

Barron-Connor Racing
#61
Ferrari 575 Maranello GTC, [2212], 6.0, Pirelli
PL; John Bosch
TD: Nick Potter
TM/RE; Malcolm Swetnam
CC; Erik Kortenaar, Louis Inderijp
John Bosch (NL)/ Danny Sullivan (USA) / Thomas Biagi (I)

many expected that after a poor showing at Sebring that the team would find its wings. that hasn’t happened
the team and the 575 in ACO guise have been a disappointment

#62
Ferrari 575 Maranello GTC, [2214], 6.0, Pirelli
PL; John Bosch
TD; Nick Potter
RE/ CC; Malcolm Swetnam
RE; Mike Gramke
CC; Theun Miedeija
Mike Hezemans (NL) / Angel Barde (F) / Jean-Denis Deletraz (CH)

Hezemans in this car and Biagi in the other are the only bright spots in a desultory lead-in to the race

Corvette Racing
#63
Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, [011], 7.0, Michelin
SD; Doug Fehan
TM; Gary Pratt
TD; Doug Louth
RE: Steve Cole, John Rice
CC; Dan Binks
Ron Fellows (CDN) / Johnny O’Connell (USA) / Max Papis (I)

once the shock of Enge’s fast lap has worn off, look for the Corvette team to ruthlessly seek revenge on last year’s drubbing

#64
Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, [010], 7.0, Michelin
SD; Doug Fehan
TM; Gary Pratt
TD; Doug Louth
RE; Joe Kiefer, John Rice
CC; Ray Gongla
Oliver Gavin (GB), Olivier Beretta (MC), Jan Magnussen (DK)

don’t look for any intra-team dicing; they will remain disciplined…. en route to two finishes, but where?

Prodrive Racing
#65
Ferrari 550 Maranello, [113136, Prodrive], 6.0, Michelin
PL; Frederic Dor, George Howard-Chappell
TM / SD; Paul Diggins
RE: Mark Lever, David Willock,
CC; John Woodward, Phil Danbury
Rickard Rydell (S) / Darren Turner (GB) / Colin McRae (GB)

McRae has learned well; here you look for tarmac and avoid the gravel, rather than vice versa; still the weaker of the two cars in a very strong team

#66
Ferrari 550 Maranello, [117110, Prodrive], 6.0, Michelin
PL; Frederic Dor, George Howard-Chappell
TM / SD; Paul Diggins
RE; Mark Ellis, Jason Hill
CC; John Woodward, Billy Cowe
Tomas Enge (CZ) / Peter Kox (NL) / Alain Menu (F)

strong team, strong driver lineup, fast, normally reliable, this year?

Larbre Competition
#69
Ferrari 550 Maranello, [108612, Prodrive], 6.0, Michelin
PL; Jack Leconte
SD; Alain Duclos
TD; Alain Falaise
TM; Gerard Bonnet
RE; Cyril Dabin, Serge Meyer, Johannes Grüber, Marc Emmens
CC; Gregoire Migrain, Alexandre Falaize
Christophe Bouchut (F) / Patrice Goueslard (F) / Olivier Dupard (F)

a welcome strong competitor in a slim class; probably off the podium, but will finish well

GT

JMB Racing
#70
Ferrari 360 Modena GT, [2004], 3.6, Michelin
PL; Jean-Michel Bouresche
TM; Jean-Pierre Malcher
RE; Marie-Pierre Faroux
CC; Jean-Jacques Grondin
Jaime Melo (BR) / Stephane Daoudi (F) / Jean-Rene de Fournoux (F)

F3 driver Melo is the find of the year and the team has been a pleasant surprise; longevity in question, speed is not

Luc Alphand Aventures
#72
Porsche 996 GT3RS, [2-085], 3.6, Michelin
PL; Luc Alphand, Philippe Poincloux
TM; Dominique Merliamd
CC; Jose Garrido
Luc Alphand (F) / Philippe Almeras (F) / Christian Lavieille (F)

little to be expected from a team that races here and little else; nice to have the old Almeras name back at Le Mans

Perspective Racing
#75
Porsche 996 GT3R, [Y-079], 3.6, Dunlop
PL; Thierry Perrier, Ian Khan
SD; John Beard
TD; Cliff Tabiner
TM; Vic Lee
RE; Colin Shoebridge
CC; Richard Townsend
Ian Khan (GB) / Tim Sugden (GB) / Nigel Smith (GB)

strong practice run, especially by Sugden, possible podium material
niggles with Porsche bits

Choro-Q Racing
#77
Porsche 996 GT3 RSR, [4-079], 3.6, Yokohama
PL; Eiji Uzushiri, Kazumichi Goh, Brian Willis
TM; Takako Morimoto
RE; Masoshi Miyata, Andy Loader
CC; Torn Katase
Haruki Kurosawa (J) / Kazuyuki Nishizawa (J) / Manabu Oridu (J)

excellent debut Le Mans appearance for the Porsche thus far by this new team
possible podium material

PK Sport
#78
Porsche 996 GT3R, [Y-082], 3.6, Dunlop
PL; Mike Pickup
SD; Caroline Lucas
TM; Steve Donovan
RE; Adrian Slowey
David Warnock (GB) / Jim Matthews (USA) / Paul Daniels (GB)

Looking to come through as others hit problems

Morgan
#80
Morgan (BMW) Aero 8 GTN, [490272], 3.6, Yokohama
PL; Charles Morgan
TM; David Dowse, Robin Sharpe
RE: David Bradley
CC: Mark Baldwin, Darrell Dixon, Roger Van Camelbecke
Neil Cunningham (NZ) / Adam Sharp (GB) / Steven Hyde (GB)

after clearing up engine mapping problems they have a shot at a respectable run

The Racer’s Group
#81
Porsche 996 GT3 RSR, [4-080], 3.6, Michelin
PL; Kevin Buckler, Lars Nielsen
TM: Rod Benoist
RE: Bill Rader, Dave Fullertin
CC; Gary Biehl, Mike Kuzela
Ian Donaldson (GB) / Gregor Fisken (GB) / Lars Nielsen (DK)

not your usual Racer’s Group effort, more of a late-created consortium for a bunch that is thrilled to be here, and very keen to finish

Seikel Motorsport
#83
Porsche 996 GT3RS, [2-067], 3.6, Yokohama
PL; Peter Seikel
TM; Flossy Schammo
CC; Bernd Blos, Reinhold Höfling
Gabrio Rosa (I) / Alex Caffi (I) / Peter Van Merksteijn (NL)

Yokohama has put extra effort into this car and it seems to be paying off; possible podium material

#84
Porsche 996 GT3RS, [1-079], 3.6, Yokohama
PL; Peter Seikel
TM; Flossy Schammo
CC; Bernd Blos, Reinhold Höfling
Tony Burgess (CDN) / Philip Collin (USA) / Andrew Bagnall (NZ)

lesser of the two team cars but also doing well with success of #83 rubbing off

Freisinger Motorsport
#85
Porsche 996 GT3 RSR, [4-087], 3.6, Dunlop
PL; Manfred Freisinger
TM; Götz von Blücher
RE: Owen Hayes
Stephane Ortelli (F) / Romain Dumas (F) / Ralf Kelleners (D)

have focused on race pace throughout qualifying and this will pay off
excellent driver line up could carry them through to a shot at class victory

#86
Porsche 996 GT3 RSR, [4-070], 3.6, Dunlop
PL; Manfred Freisinger
TM; Götz von Blücher
RE: Owen Hayes
CC: Götz von Blücher, Andreas Haag
Nikolai Fomenko (RUS) / Alexei Vassiliev (RUS) / Robert Nearn (GB)

Russians need to keep off the walls in order for car to be taken seriously

BAM!
#87
Porsche 996 GT3 RSR, [4-065], 3.6, Michelin
PL; Peter Baron, Tim Munday
TM; Rodger Hawley
RE: Tim Munday
CC: Matt Bishop
Leo Hindery (USA) / Marc Lieb (D) / Mike Rockenfeller (D)

Leo and his grandkids have a genuine shot at the top
demon runs by Rockenfeller and Lieb coupled with any Freisinger / Petersen hiccoughs could give Orbit the class win

Chamberlain-Synergy Motorsport
#89
TVR Tuscan T400R, [1104], 4.0, Dunlop
PL; Hugh Chamberlain, Richard Stanton, Gareth Evans
TM; Derek Kemp
RE; Geoff Gooliffe, Simon Hindle
CC; Dave Lampitt
Bob Berridge (GB) / Chris Stockton (GB) / Michael Caine (GB)

after problems in 2003 the newer version of the TVR has proven more solid and quicker a simple finish is in order

#96
TVR Tuscan T400R, [1249], 4.0, Dunlop
PL; Hugh Chamberlain, Richard Stanton, Gareth Evans
TM; Derek Kemp
RE: Rodney Farrell
Nigel Greensall (GB) / Lawrence Tomlinson (GB) / Gareth Evans (GB)

the lesser of the two team cars may very well finish as well, but not particularly high in the order

White Lightning Racing-Petersen Motorsports
#90
Porsche 996 GT3 RSR, [4-066], 3.6, Michelin
PL; Michael Petersen, Dale White
TM; Dale White
RE; Roland Kussmaul, Hans Georg
CC; Stefan Pfeirrer, Kent Moore
Patrick Long (USA) / Jörg Bergmeister (D) / Sascha Maassen (D)

two American entries on the GT podium is a distinct possibility
look for a fierce battle between 90, 87 and 85 - great stuff!

Cirtek Motorsport
#92
Ferrari 360 Modena GTC, [2062], 3.6, Dunlop
PL; Rob Schirle
SD; Michael Hinterberg
TM; Hans Mühlbauer
CC; Chris Cowlam
Frank Mountain (GB) / Rob Wilson (NZ) / Hans Hugenholtz (NL)

unfortunately not a terribly pacey effort so far from the “other” Ferrari.