Two Suzuki Endurance Racing Team machines will begin this weekend’s Le Mans 24hrs as favourites. On the GSX-R 2, William Costes, Guillaume Dietrich and Max Neukirchner improved upon their fastest lap-times during today’s second round of qualifying. The Suzuki Team sits at the top of the qualifying board with an average riders’ time of 1’39.229. The GSXR-R 1 ridden by Vincent Philippe, Julien Da Costa and Matthieu Lagrive also improved during the second round of qualifying, taking second place just in front of the Yamaha GMT 94.
This second round of qualifying has been difficult for the GMT 94. Without qualifying tyres during this second round, Sebastien Gimbert, David Checa and Olivier Four could not beat their times achieved yesterday. In the attempt to beat his previous time by a hundredth of a second, Olivier Four fell at the Dunlop corner, leaving Yamaha GMT 94’s bike damaged but the rider unhurt.
The Yamaha GMT 94 team retained third place in front of the Yamaha Austria Racing Team. On the R1, Austrian Igor Jerman, Sébastien Scarnato and Damian Cudlin managed to improve on yesterday’s qualifying time.
Team Kawasaki France have a reason to smile, clinching fifth place after the second qualifying round was disputed by Steve Plater, Scott Smart and Julian Mazuecos. Spaniard Mazuecos achieved the fastest time of 1’39.149. Gwen Giabbani, recovering after a fall in the French Championship, has been named as reserve but could possibly regain his place at the expense of Scott Smart. The final decision will be made by Team Kawasaki France this evening.
The Yamaha Power 113 team of Patrick Piot, Cyril Huvier and Fabrice Auger confirmed its position as a serious challenge, taking an impressive sixth place in front of Yamaha Phase One ridden by Warwick Nowland, Glen Richards and Didier Van Keymeulen.
There was disappointment for the Bolliger Team who managed only eleventh place. Winners of the 2006 Le Mans 24hrs, the Honda National Motos team was also disappointed, managing only ninth place.
This evening the pitlane and its stands will be open for the public to celebrate the 30th year of Le Mans 24hrs. Teams will make their last minute adjustments during tomorrow’s warm-up which begins at 10.30am. The racing begins at 15.00.
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