Le Mans, May 4, 2003


A Florida-based auto racing team proudly and successfully flew the “Star & Stripes” in France today (Sun 4 May). Team ADT Champion Racing, of Pompano Beach, set the fifth fastest time in warm-up trials for the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance sportscar race.

Emanuele Pirro swept its “customer” Audi R8 around the 8.62-mile circuit at an average speed of over 135mph in a time of 3min 39.077. 56-cars were “invited” to participate in two, four-hour test sessions held in sunny and warm weather conditions. Champion Racing, a regular competitor in the American Le Mans Series, was one of 15 American teams present.

Pirro will be partnered by JJ Lehto and Stefan Johansson in the actual round-the-clock race staged on 14-15 June. The fastest time was set by the Bentley of Tom Kristensen/Guy Smith/Rinaldo Capello.

24h Le Mans
:: Practice
:: Practice
:: Practice
:: Qualifying
:: Practice
:: The Race
Gallery

1 Capello/Kristensen/Smith

2 Ara/Magnussen/Werner

3 Blundell/Brabham/Herbert

4 Biela/Salo/McCarthy

5 Johansson/Lehto/Pirro

6 Bosch/Lammers/Wallace

7 Goossens/Matthews/Tinseau

8 Gabbiant/Gommendy/Ortitz

9 Ayari/Helary/Minassian

10 Cochet/Gregoire/Derichebourg

Stefan Johansson
“Mission accomplished! We had a very productive day, went through many evaluations concerning fuel and tires which should bode well for us in the race.”

JJ Lehto
“We followed a specific program that we needed to accomplish during the day. All the drivers are happy with our car. We can return in June with a very good car for the race.”

Emanuele Pirro
“I am quite happy. The track was never clear for us to set a really fast lap. Importantly, we have gathered important information for race.”