JML Team Panoz hour 6 report

Panoz duo runs like clockwork in opening hours of Le Mans

JML Team Panoz has kicked off the world's toughest test in international motorsport with a perfect start in the Le Mans 24 Hour.

After six hours, the two Panoz LMP-01 prototype cars were in 6th and 9th place - having moved up from 10th and 15th on the grid.

The #11 Panoz of Olivier Beretta, Max Papis and Gunnar Jeannette began with the three drivers all doing triple stints on their Michelin tires.

"The car has been excellent all night and our race plan is working perfectly so far," Jeannette said.

"The Michelin tires have been excellent and we have been one of the few teams to be able to run three stints on the same set of rubber.

"We have been lucky to gain a couple of spots when some other people have got into trouble and our plan for the rest of the night is to continue to run our own race.

"If we keep on running like this all night, we should be in good shape, but there is still a long way to go."

The only delay for the #12 Panoz of Scott Maxwell, David Saelens and Benjamin Leuenberger was an early unscheduled stop for a set of replacement Michelin tires after Maxwell struck some debris.

"It has been an excellent start for us. The car is strong and the tires have been outstanding," Maxwell said.

"We have now made the move onto the night compound and the car continues to be strong.

"The traffic has been a little eratic. My first stint I had a really clear run, but I had a bit of tough time in my second stint.

"We now just have to keep doing what we are doing so far and we should be in good shape. Everything has been great so far."

-pmg-