Under extremely challenging, and at times treacherous, weather conditions tonight, the two cars within the Risi Competizione team ran through a program of testing which crucially included the evaluation of different compounds of wet weather tires from Michelin. No times were improved upon from yesterday due to the damp track, and further rain is forecast for the weekend ahead.
Only Tracy Krohn and Colin Braun ran in the #99 Krohn green Ferrari 430, bedding in brake pads and a race-prepared drive train, and the car’s running was brought to an early conclusion at the end of the first two hours of Thursday’s practice. The car’s engineer and all three drivers were satisfied with the race set up they had achieved, and decided the risks of further running in the stormy conditions far outweighed what could be learned.
The South American/European driver line up in the #97 car extended their track time for a little longer in order to gather data on wet weather handling, a situation which is expected on Saturday in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. None of the drivers did an extended run, but all three were happy with their time behind the wheel.
Giuseppe Risi said after the end of practice: “I think we are happy we have found a race set up which is going to be worthwhile because, with conditions as they are, that’s what is going to matter. We have identified the right tires for our cars and the drivers like the set up so we’re set to go. ”
Team Manager, Dave Sims, added: “We fitted our new race engines in both cars today and tonight ran through a plan which included data gathering on brakes, tires, temperatures and traction control settings in the different track conditions. I’m pleased we managed to achieve so much given the interruptions to practice we’ve had. We expect the race to be a mixture of both wet and dry so it’s important to have this information on hand to help all the drivers have a safe, easy but fast car to drive out there. ”
The 24 Hours of Le Mans will start at 3 pm local time (9 am EDT) on Saturday, June 16 and finish at 3 pm (9 am EDT) on Sunday, June 17. SPEED will televise 17.5 hours of coverage in North America from 8.30 - 11 am, 5.30 - 7 pm, and 8 pm to midnight EDT on Saturday, June 16, and from 6 am to 9.30 am EDT on Sunday, June 17.
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