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Road Atlanta: Prodrive Ferrari final notes
So very close for Ferrari. Today's 5th annual running of the Petit Le Mans saw a thrilling race in all categories and a remarkable finish to the GTS class, provided by two teams who were determined to never give up. Despite leading the Petit Le ...
Published: Oct 13, 2002, 3:01 PM
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So very close for Ferrari.
Today's 5th annual running of the Petit Le Mans saw a thrilling race in all categories and a remarkable finish to the GTS class, provided by two teams who were determined to never give up.
Despite leading the Petit Le Mans event for more than 9 hours, and pushing the Corvette team for the entire duration of the race, nothing could mask the disappointment of the whole Prodrive Ferrari team as the chequered flag fell.
A mechanical problem within the last hour lost the team a two lap lead while repairs were carried out in the pits and a puncture on the penultimate racing lap finally put paid to the team's challenge for victory. The Care Racing-owned Ferrari 550 Maranello finished second in the GTS class behind the #3 Corvette of Fellows, O'Connell and Gavin after 1,000 miles of wheel to wheel racing.
Tomas Enge, Peter Kox and Alain Menu pooled their considerable driving driving talents to maintain a steady class lead for the majority of the race, excellent pit strategy from Team Principal, George Howard-Chappell, and a car which delivered all that was asked of it in racing conditions.
Tomas Enge: "It was really bad luck. We were flying through the whole race, the tyres were perfect and everything was fine. Then there was the problem with the broken front suspension fixing which lost us the time in the pits. I was really trying to get the Corvettes, taking as many risks as possible to make up time, and unfortunately made contact with a GT car which caused the puncture. I am so sorry."
Peter Kox: "It was not our day. It is so disappointing for everyone after doing so well all day, but a close second place at the end of nine and a half hours of racing is still something to be proud of."
Alain Menu: "What can you say when you get so close? We showed everyone today how good our car and team are, and we all hope we can be back here next year to climb onto that top step of the podium."
George Howard-Chappell: "I am desperately disappointed but very proud of the way the whole Prodrive team worked together this week. Tomas was giving it everything to try and bring home the win for us, and I know Peter and Alain would have done just the same. It was a really great race, but unfortunately the result just didn't quite go our way."
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