26
May -
Randy Pobst leads the Speed GT World Challenge after finishing second
in the fourth round of the series at Lime Rock today (26 May).
Defending GT champion Michael Galati crashed his similar RS 6
“Competition” in the abysmal wet conditions although Audi remains
joint second in the Manufacturers’ title race.
For
the second consecutive race, it was an all Audi front row, constant
heavy rain making the seven-turn, 1.53-mile track near Lakeville,
Connecticut, awash with standing water for qualifying in which Galati
snatched “pole” from team-mate Pobst by 0.212secs in the closing
seconds of the 20-minute session.
There
was no sign of the rain relenting as the 20 cars lined-up on the grid
and it was Galati who got the jump on Pobst at the green light. But
Michael overshot Turn 1 allowing Randy in to the lead with a
recovering Galati completing lap one in third place behind Bill
Auberlen.
Despite briefly losing the lead to Auberlen on lap nine for half a
lap, Pobst was at the head of the field as a full course yellow was
declared on lap 21 after fourth-placed Galati, having survived a
number of “moments”, slid in to the guard rail and in to retirement.
Pobst
led Auberlen by over four seconds after the re-start but just three
laps later and with less than 15 minutes to run, Randy aquaplaned wide
on the exit of Turn 1, his all-wheel-drive Audi RS 6 “Competition”
ploughing its way back on to the track through thick mud - minus its
front “splitter” and now second, 8.5-secs down on new leader Auberlen.
Randy finally took the checker 6.2-secs down on Auberlen and over
15secs ahead of third-placed Hans Stuck – the only cars on the lead
lap - after an eventful race which saw just 13 cars running at the
finish.
Michael Galati:
“There were a lot of puddles on my ‘line’ going in to the first corner
at the start. I braked but hydroplaned straight on. I had a big
‘moment’ on to the grass on lap eight but stayed in third before
sliding wide at Turn 1 again which allowed Hans [Stuck] to get third
on the 15th lap. Then I hit a stream [of water] across the
track, the back contacted the guard rail and then the front end. It
was not my day out there!”
Randy Pobst:“I
was hydroplaning a lot but when the rain eased it was better. I gave
it all I had but made a mistake when I put two wheels off at Turn 1
and went in to the mud - without quattro [all-wheel-drive] I wouldn’t
have got back on the track! I’m happy with second place having
finished the opening three races in third position and to have taken
the series lead. We can now use the break to further improve the
Audi.”
Rod
Bymaster, Audi Sport North America’s Motorsport Manager:
“It’s another rostrum position for Audi, Randy leads the Driver’s
series and Audi is joint second in the Manufacturer’s division. There
is now a month before the next race so we can get out testing and
further develop the new RS 6 which has finished in the top-three in
all four races this year.”
Lime Rock, Round 4, 40-laps, 61.2-miles (50 minute time limit
enforced)
1
Bill Auberlen, BMW M3. 40-laps
2
Randy Pobst, Audi RS 6 “Competition”. -6.241secs
3
Hans Stuck, BMW M3. -21.433secs
4
Justin Marks, BMW M3. -1 lap
5
Jimmy Adams, Porsche 911 Cup. -2 laps
6
Phil McClure, Corvette Z06. -2 laps
2003 Speed GT World Challenge – Driver’s Standings (after 4 races)
1 Randy Pobst, Audi RS 6 Competition. 113-points
2
Bill Auberlen, BMW M3. 110
3 Phil McClure, Corvette Z06. 108
4
Hans Stuck, BMW M3. 70
5
Rob Fellows, Mustang. 69
6
Michael Culver, Porsche 911 Cup. 67
16
Michael Galati, Audi RS 6 Competition. 33
2003 Speed GT World Challenge – Manufacturers’ Standings (after 4
races)
1 BMW, 24
2= Audi & Chevrolet, 22
4
Porsche, 10
5
Saleen, 7
Next race: Road Atlanta, 27-29 June.
