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Bentleys Sweep Sebring 12 Hours Front Row
Written by: RACER staff
Sebring, Fla. – 3/13/2003
Johnny Herbert and Team Bentley pushed aside the long-dominant Audi R8s in Sebring qualifying.
The Bentley prototype sports car team got its North American premiere off to a powerful start by sweeping the front row for Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Johnny Herbert snared the top spot with a lap of 1:48.108 (123.210mph) around the 3.7-mile circuit, knocking teammate Rinaldo Capello to the outside of the front row by just 0.02sec.
Although the Bentleys have been among the pace-setters at Sebring since practice began, Herbert said he was happily surprised at the EXP Speed-8’s pace.
"I had a big accident in Spain which set back our testing schedule (and) the crew has done a wonderful job to get the car together,” related Herbert. “This is my first pole in the ALMS and my first since my Formula 3000 days, so it feels really good. We made a change with the tires from the morning and the car responded well. An all-Bentley front row looks good to me."
Herbert might have been surprised, but Audi—long the dominant marque in the LMP 900 class—professed not to be surprised. The works Audi team is gone, replaced by a single-car independent entry from former works team Joest Racing, together with two other privately entered R8s. Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Sport, said, "Our three customer teams did a very good job. They are well placed behind the two works Bentleys. The difference is smaller than expected. I believe that all three teams
have a good chance to finish the race on the podium."
Joest, as might be expected, leads the Audi pack, Frank Biela having qualified third in the Infineon-sponsored entry. "I am content because we are the fastest Audi,” said Biela. “We didn't make it to the very front of the grid in qualifying, but I am optimistic for the race. I made a mistake on my quick lap and lost five tenths of a second. We are very close to Bentley, have a lot of experience at Sebring and a very good setup that worked perfectly during qualifying. Now we have to make sure that Marco and Philipp are also happy with this setup. The race will be very tough."
A more detailed report will follow.
Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring qualifying results:
1) Johnny Herbert, David Brabham, Mark Blundell, Bentley Speed 8 (P900), 1:48.108/123.210mph
2) Tom Kristensen, Rinaldo Capello, Guy Smith, Bentley Speed 8 (P900), 1:48.129/123.186
3) Frank Biela, Marco Werner, Phillip Peter, Audi R8 (P900), 1:48.826/122.397
4) Emanuele Pirro, JJ Lehto, Stefan Johansson, Audi R8 (P900), 1:49.355/121.805
5) James Weaver, Butch Leitzinger, Andy Wallace, Lola EX257/AER MG (P675), 1:49.361/121.798
6) Jonny Kane, Perry McCarthy, Mika Salo, Audi R8 (P900), 1:49.581/121.554
7) John Nielsen, Hayanari Shimoda, DBA4-03S/Zytek (P675), 1:50.836/120.178
8) Olivier Beretta, Gunnar Jeannette, Max Papis, Panoz LMP01/EPP (P900), 1:51.807/119.134
9) Jim Matthews, Marc Goosens, Jan Magnussen, R&S MK III C/Yates (P900), 1:51.810/119.131
10) Jon Field, Duncan Dayton, Michael Durand, Lola EX257/AER MG (P675), 1:52.545/118.353
11) Didier Theys, Eric van de Poele, Fredy Lienhard Sr., Dallara/MG (P900), 1:53.054/117.820
12) Phil Andrews, Justin Keen, Larry Oberto, Lola B2K/10/MG (P900), 1:53.461/117.397
13) John Graham, Scott Maxwell, Ben Luenberger, Panoz LMP01/EPP (P900), 1:54.386/116.448
14) Chad Block, Didier de Radigues, Chris Dyson, Lola EX257/AER MG (P675), 1:55.227/115.598
15) Michael Lewis, Tomy Drissi, Guy Cosmo, R&S MK IIIC/Lincoln (P900), 1:56.751/114.089
16) Clint Field, Rick Sutherland, John Macaluso, Lola B2K10/MG (P900), 1:57.362/113.495
17) Romain Dumas,France;Robbie Stirling,Canada;Bryan Herta,Valencia, CA; Reynard/Cosworth (P900), 1:57.980/112.900
18) Oliver Gavin, Kelly Collins, Andy Pilgrim, C5-R Corvette (GTS), 1:59.024/111.910
19) Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell, Franck Freon, C5-R Corvette (GTS), 1:59.458/111.504
20) Allan Ziegelman, Patrice Roussel, Ian James, Norma M2000-2/Ford (P900), 2:00.270/110.751
21) Anthony Davidson, Darren Turner, Kelvin Burt, Ferrari 550 Maranello (GTS), 2:00.354/110.674
22) Tomas Enge, Peter Kox, Jamie Davies, Ferrari 550 Maranello (GTS), 2:00.456/110.580
23) Melanie Paterson, Jason Workman, Ben Devlin, Lola B2K/40/Millington (P675), 2:01.976 109.202
24) Toni Seiler, Robert Nearn, Franz Konrad, Saleen S7R (GTS), 2:02.444/108.784
25) Emanuelle Naspetti, Domenico Schiattarella, Johnny Cecotto, Ferrari 550 Maranello (GTS), 2:02.575/108.668
26) Thomas Erdos, Pedro Chaves, Gavin Pickering, Saleen S7R (GTS), 2:02.602/108.644
27) Tom Weickardt, Jean-Philippe Belloc, Jeff Altenburg, Dodge Viper GTS-R (GTS), 2:02.735/108.527
28) Mike Hezemans, Anthony Kumpen, Pagani Zonda GR (GTS), 2:05.197/106.392
29) Timo Bernhard, Jorg Bergmeister, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:06.023/105.695
30) Leo Hindery, Peter Baron, Marc Lieb, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:06.189/105.556
31) Lucas Luhr, Sascha Maassen, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:06.249/105.506
32) Johnny Mowlem, Nic Jonsson, Craig Stanton, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:07.613/104.378
33) Terry Borcheller, Anthony Lazzaro, Ralf Kelleners, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:08.712/103.487
34) Nikolay Fomenko, Stephane Daoudi, Walter Lechner Jr., Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.181/103.111
35) J.A. Policastro Jr., Joseph Policastro Sr., Mike Fitzgerald, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.262/103.047
36) Andy Lally, Steve Ivankovich, Spencer Pumpelly, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.423/102.918
37) Kevin Buckler, Jim Pace, Eliseo Salazar, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.473/102.879
38) Piers Masarati, David Warnock, Robin Liddel, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.854/102.577
39) Justin Jackson, David Murry, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.927/102.519
40) Phillip Bennett, Marino Franchitti, Kevin McGarrity, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:10.021/102.445
41) Stephane Gregoire, Fabio Babini, Christiano Pescatori, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:10.120/102.367
42) Boris Said, Catesby Jones, Carlos de Quesada, BMW M3 (GT), 2:10.143/102.349
43) Chris Gleason, Marc Bunting, Cort Wagner, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:10.558/102.024
44) Cass Whitehead, Andrew Davis, B.J. Zacharias, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:10.649/101.953
45) Rick Skelton, Brad Nyberg, Joe Foster, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:10.922/101.740
46) Richard Stanton, Richard May, Rob Barff, TVR (GT), 2:11.582/101.230
47) Gabrio Rosa, Alex Caffi, Andrea Chiesa, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:12.035/100.882
48) Michael Schrom, Pierre Ehret, Vic Rice, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:12.187/100.766
49) John Hugenholtz, Norman Simon, Patrick van Schoote, Spyker C8 Double 12 R (GT), 2:12.520/100.513
50) Stephen Earle, Andrea Garbagnati, Ludovico Manfredi, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:12.652/100.413
51) Bart Hayden, Gregor Fisken, Ian Donaldson, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:13.957/99.435
52) Philip Collin, David Shep, John Lloyd, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:14.172 99.276
53) Howard Vance, Georges Forgeois, Porsche 911 GT3 R (GT), 2:15.326
54) Jeff Bucknum, Bryan Willman, Chris McMurry, Pilbeam MP91/Willman 6/1EX (P675), 2:37.028
55) Jamie Campbell-Walter, Ian McKellar Jr., Lister Storm LMP (P900), no time
56) Brent Sherman, Nick Longhi, Emil Assentato, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), no time
Written by: RACER staff
Sebring, Fla. – 3/13/2003
Johnny Herbert and Team Bentley pushed aside the long-dominant Audi R8s in Sebring qualifying.
The Bentley prototype sports car team got its North American premiere off to a powerful start by sweeping the front row for Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Johnny Herbert snared the top spot with a lap of 1:48.108 (123.210mph) around the 3.7-mile circuit, knocking teammate Rinaldo Capello to the outside of the front row by just 0.02sec.
Although the Bentleys have been among the pace-setters at Sebring since practice began, Herbert said he was happily surprised at the EXP Speed-8’s pace.
"I had a big accident in Spain which set back our testing schedule (and) the crew has done a wonderful job to get the car together,” related Herbert. “This is my first pole in the ALMS and my first since my Formula 3000 days, so it feels really good. We made a change with the tires from the morning and the car responded well. An all-Bentley front row looks good to me."
Herbert might have been surprised, but Audi—long the dominant marque in the LMP 900 class—professed not to be surprised. The works Audi team is gone, replaced by a single-car independent entry from former works team Joest Racing, together with two other privately entered R8s. Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Sport, said, "Our three customer teams did a very good job. They are well placed behind the two works Bentleys. The difference is smaller than expected. I believe that all three teams
have a good chance to finish the race on the podium."
Joest, as might be expected, leads the Audi pack, Frank Biela having qualified third in the Infineon-sponsored entry. "I am content because we are the fastest Audi,” said Biela. “We didn't make it to the very front of the grid in qualifying, but I am optimistic for the race. I made a mistake on my quick lap and lost five tenths of a second. We are very close to Bentley, have a lot of experience at Sebring and a very good setup that worked perfectly during qualifying. Now we have to make sure that Marco and Philipp are also happy with this setup. The race will be very tough."
A more detailed report will follow.
Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring qualifying results:
1) Johnny Herbert, David Brabham, Mark Blundell, Bentley Speed 8 (P900), 1:48.108/123.210mph
2) Tom Kristensen, Rinaldo Capello, Guy Smith, Bentley Speed 8 (P900), 1:48.129/123.186
3) Frank Biela, Marco Werner, Phillip Peter, Audi R8 (P900), 1:48.826/122.397
4) Emanuele Pirro, JJ Lehto, Stefan Johansson, Audi R8 (P900), 1:49.355/121.805
5) James Weaver, Butch Leitzinger, Andy Wallace, Lola EX257/AER MG (P675), 1:49.361/121.798
6) Jonny Kane, Perry McCarthy, Mika Salo, Audi R8 (P900), 1:49.581/121.554
7) John Nielsen, Hayanari Shimoda, DBA4-03S/Zytek (P675), 1:50.836/120.178
8) Olivier Beretta, Gunnar Jeannette, Max Papis, Panoz LMP01/EPP (P900), 1:51.807/119.134
9) Jim Matthews, Marc Goosens, Jan Magnussen, R&S MK III C/Yates (P900), 1:51.810/119.131
10) Jon Field, Duncan Dayton, Michael Durand, Lola EX257/AER MG (P675), 1:52.545/118.353
11) Didier Theys, Eric van de Poele, Fredy Lienhard Sr., Dallara/MG (P900), 1:53.054/117.820
12) Phil Andrews, Justin Keen, Larry Oberto, Lola B2K/10/MG (P900), 1:53.461/117.397
13) John Graham, Scott Maxwell, Ben Luenberger, Panoz LMP01/EPP (P900), 1:54.386/116.448
14) Chad Block, Didier de Radigues, Chris Dyson, Lola EX257/AER MG (P675), 1:55.227/115.598
15) Michael Lewis, Tomy Drissi, Guy Cosmo, R&S MK IIIC/Lincoln (P900), 1:56.751/114.089
16) Clint Field, Rick Sutherland, John Macaluso, Lola B2K10/MG (P900), 1:57.362/113.495
17) Romain Dumas,France;Robbie Stirling,Canada;Bryan Herta,Valencia, CA; Reynard/Cosworth (P900), 1:57.980/112.900
18) Oliver Gavin, Kelly Collins, Andy Pilgrim, C5-R Corvette (GTS), 1:59.024/111.910
19) Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell, Franck Freon, C5-R Corvette (GTS), 1:59.458/111.504
20) Allan Ziegelman, Patrice Roussel, Ian James, Norma M2000-2/Ford (P900), 2:00.270/110.751
21) Anthony Davidson, Darren Turner, Kelvin Burt, Ferrari 550 Maranello (GTS), 2:00.354/110.674
22) Tomas Enge, Peter Kox, Jamie Davies, Ferrari 550 Maranello (GTS), 2:00.456/110.580
23) Melanie Paterson, Jason Workman, Ben Devlin, Lola B2K/40/Millington (P675), 2:01.976 109.202
24) Toni Seiler, Robert Nearn, Franz Konrad, Saleen S7R (GTS), 2:02.444/108.784
25) Emanuelle Naspetti, Domenico Schiattarella, Johnny Cecotto, Ferrari 550 Maranello (GTS), 2:02.575/108.668
26) Thomas Erdos, Pedro Chaves, Gavin Pickering, Saleen S7R (GTS), 2:02.602/108.644
27) Tom Weickardt, Jean-Philippe Belloc, Jeff Altenburg, Dodge Viper GTS-R (GTS), 2:02.735/108.527
28) Mike Hezemans, Anthony Kumpen, Pagani Zonda GR (GTS), 2:05.197/106.392
29) Timo Bernhard, Jorg Bergmeister, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:06.023/105.695
30) Leo Hindery, Peter Baron, Marc Lieb, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:06.189/105.556
31) Lucas Luhr, Sascha Maassen, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:06.249/105.506
32) Johnny Mowlem, Nic Jonsson, Craig Stanton, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:07.613/104.378
33) Terry Borcheller, Anthony Lazzaro, Ralf Kelleners, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:08.712/103.487
34) Nikolay Fomenko, Stephane Daoudi, Walter Lechner Jr., Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.181/103.111
35) J.A. Policastro Jr., Joseph Policastro Sr., Mike Fitzgerald, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.262/103.047
36) Andy Lally, Steve Ivankovich, Spencer Pumpelly, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.423/102.918
37) Kevin Buckler, Jim Pace, Eliseo Salazar, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.473/102.879
38) Piers Masarati, David Warnock, Robin Liddel, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.854/102.577
39) Justin Jackson, David Murry, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:09.927/102.519
40) Phillip Bennett, Marino Franchitti, Kevin McGarrity, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:10.021/102.445
41) Stephane Gregoire, Fabio Babini, Christiano Pescatori, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:10.120/102.367
42) Boris Said, Catesby Jones, Carlos de Quesada, BMW M3 (GT), 2:10.143/102.349
43) Chris Gleason, Marc Bunting, Cort Wagner, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:10.558/102.024
44) Cass Whitehead, Andrew Davis, B.J. Zacharias, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:10.649/101.953
45) Rick Skelton, Brad Nyberg, Joe Foster, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:10.922/101.740
46) Richard Stanton, Richard May, Rob Barff, TVR (GT), 2:11.582/101.230
47) Gabrio Rosa, Alex Caffi, Andrea Chiesa, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:12.035/100.882
48) Michael Schrom, Pierre Ehret, Vic Rice, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:12.187/100.766
49) John Hugenholtz, Norman Simon, Patrick van Schoote, Spyker C8 Double 12 R (GT), 2:12.520/100.513
50) Stephen Earle, Andrea Garbagnati, Ludovico Manfredi, Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 2:12.652/100.413
51) Bart Hayden, Gregor Fisken, Ian Donaldson, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:13.957/99.435
52) Philip Collin, David Shep, John Lloyd, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 2:14.172 99.276
53) Howard Vance, Georges Forgeois, Porsche 911 GT3 R (GT), 2:15.326
54) Jeff Bucknum, Bryan Willman, Chris McMurry, Pilbeam MP91/Willman 6/1EX (P675), 2:37.028
55) Jamie Campbell-Walter, Ian McKellar Jr., Lister Storm LMP (P900), no time
56) Brent Sherman, Nick Longhi, Emil Assentato, Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), no time