Indianapolis: Pippa Mann race report

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR MANN

Pippa Mann's campaign to win the 2010 Firestone Freedom 100 ended on lap two of the race, when the young Brit hit the wall at turn two.

After starting from pole position, Mann took the green flag and headed down the main straight away to turn one. Dropping back a few places, she slotted in just behind Martin Plowman (AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport) and Jeff Simmons (Team E) in fifth position.

Mann was comfortably running with this lead pack when the Team E car of Jeff Simmons spun in front of her, leaving the #11 car nowhere to go. Mann made contact with Simmons before crashing into the wall and coming to a rest on the outside of turn two.

Understandably disappointed, Mann said: "The engine was hitting the rev limiter at the start and I dropped back to fifth place, but the car felt good and I knew we were in a good position. We just needed to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, Jeff was forced down onto the white line and his car just spun in front of me. There was nothing he could really do, and I tried to avoid him as best I could but in reality, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time today. I'm so disappointed because we were quick and I wanted a chance at winning the Freedom 100, but it wasn't my day today."

Mann went on to thank her crew: "The team have been fantastic and they gave me a great car. My engineer Kent Boyer did an amazing job and I'm sorry we weren't able to get a better result. However - I'm thrilled for the whole Sam Schmidt Motorsports team and would like to congratulate my team mate Wade (Cunningham) on a superb victory."

-source: pippa mann PR