Michelin sweeps Charlotte

(Concord, N.C.) - After scoring victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring earlier this season, Michelin scored wins in all three classes today at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, site of the second round of the 2000 American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Starting from the pole and driving a BWM V12 LMR fitted with Michelin Pilot tires, JJ Lehto and Jorg Muller scored the overall victory over the Michelin-shod Panoz LMP 1 driven by David Brabham and Jan Magnussen.

The win marked the eighth consecutive ALMS win for Michelin teams dating back to the 1999 season. Also, for the fourth consecutive ALMS race, Michelin cars again led every lap of the event. In 2000, Michelin teams have led every one of the 485 laps.

"Racing on the high-banks of Charlotte was definitely a learning experience for our engineers," said Herb Johnson, director of motorsports, Michelin North America. "The prototype cars were carrying downforce loads of almost 3,000 pounds into the banking of the corners. That's a lot of stress on the tires. And we won. Another day at the office for Michelin."

The Michelin podium sweep was completed by the Rafanelli Lola driven by Mimo Schiattarella and Didier de Radigues. Michelin-shod Dodge Viper Scores GTS Win The Michelin-shod Dodge Viper continued its march in GTS competition. This time, Olivier Beretta and Karl Wendlinger scored the victory, Viper's eighth consecutive ALMS GTS victory. Teammates Tommy Archer and David Donohue finished third in the GTS category.

Michelin Scores GT Victory With Porsche

Bob Wollek and Sascha Maasen scored the GT win in a Michelin-shod Porsche prepared by Dick Barbour Racing. Driving a Michelin-shod Porsche from Alex Job Racing, Bob Nagel and Mike Fitzgerald finished third.

Michelin Stats
* The Charlotte event marked the sixth time in the last eight ALMS races that Michelin teams have won each category in a single event.

* With the Michelin-shod BMW scoring the pole at Charlotte, Michelin-equipped cars have won the last eight ALMS pole positions.

* With Panoz car of Brabham and Magnussen recording the fastest lap today at Charlotte, cars fitted with Michelin tires have recorded the fastest lap in the last eight ALMS races.

* In the first two races of the 2000 ALMS season, Michelin has scored six class victories and 14 podium finishes.

Michelin teams have won five of the last eight 24 Hours of Le Mans races, including the 1998 and 1999 endurance classics; the 2000 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring: won numerous endurance racing, motor cycle and rallying championships; Michelin even won the 1999 Tour de France.