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Mosport: JML Team Panoz preview

JML Team Panoz aims to continue Canadian form at Mosport Mosport was the scene for the first ever victory for the Panoz LMP-01 and JML Team Panoz now has its sights set on repeating that 1999 result this weekend in round five of the 2003 American ...

Published: Aug 14, 2003, 4:16 AM

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JML Team Panoz aims to continue Canadian form at Mosport

Mosport was the scene for the first ever victory for the Panoz LMP-01 and JML Team Panoz now has its sights set on repeating that 1999 result this weekend in round five of the 2003 American Le Mans Series.

The historic victory by Jan Magnussen and Johnny O'Connell from 1999 is actually one of only two Panoz podium finishes at the former home of the Canadian Grand Prix, but these results have never been through lack of speed - only misfortune.

The Braselton, Georgia-based JML squad is full of confidence after taking it's first podium finish of the year at the last round of the championship at Trois Rivieres.

The team will enter the same driver line-up this weekend with Michelin Formula One test driver Olivier Beretta teaming up with David Saelens and local hero Scott Maxwell driving with Panoz young-gun, Gunnar Jeannette.

The rapid Saelens will also join his team-mate Beretta in sampling 2003 Formula One machinery when he takes part as a guest driver at Minardi's 'Thunder at the Rock' fan appreciation event at Rockingham in the UK on August 30/31.

This weekend's 2 hour and 45 minute event will be broadcast on NBC this Sunday from 2pm (Eastern).

OLIVIER BERETTA

"I am really looking forward to getting back to Mosport because it is a track where I have been very successful in the past."

"I managed to win in GTS in both 1999 and 2000 - the second year was a great race and the Viper team actually finished 4th outright."

"The podium result by JML at Trois Rivieres was fantastic for the team and now our aim is to go a couple of steps better and try to take a victory."

"You never know what might happen if we get a little bit of rain."

"I can't wait to try the Panoz on the Mosport circuit. This is where this car had its first victory and I would love to take this car back to victory lane."

"The Audis and the MGs will again be very fast but I think David (Saelens) and I still have a realistic chance of taking a win before the season is completed."

GUNNAR JEANNETTE

"This will be my first race at Mosport and I really can't wait because it has the highest average lap speed of any road course in North America."

"It will be a real contrast from Trois Rivieres which is probably one of the slowest."

"I have had the chance to do a couple of laps around the track before but driving with Scott this weekend will be a major bonus because of his local knowledge."

"He will definitely be able to show me a thing or two about this track and drawing on that experience will be a real bonus for our car."

"We were quite pleased to finish 4th in the last round, but our target is always to aim for the podium."

"The Panoz has always been quite strong here, so I think we will be in a position to fight quite hard."

DAVID SAELENS

"Getting on the podium at Trois Rivieres was a great thrill for me because it was my first in the American Le Mans Series."

"Like all the circuits this year, Mosport is completely new for me but I am confident my second trip to Canada will be just as successful as my first."

"I have always performed well on faster tracks in my racing in Europe and this will be my first chance on a quick track here in North America."

"Racing at Mosport this weekend and straight to Road America the next week is great for me - I really can't wait to get back in the car. I have heard so much about these tracks."

SCOTT MAXWELL

"This is really where I grew up in motorsport - Mosport is undoubtedly my home track. I first raced here back in 1983 when I was only 19, but I have been coming here all my life."

"My Dad used to race at Mosport and then was an official out here for years, so I certainly know the place extremely well."

"Unfortunately however, I haven't had the chance to race in the American Le Mans Series here since 1999, so from that standpoint, I am really looking forward to the weekend."

"The team has made some strong advances with the car and I think Gunnar and I have a very good chance of chasing down a podium finish."

-pm-

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