Two of the British teams had minor dramas in the warm up, Johny Kane had a clutch problem and stopped out on the circuit as a precaution. Morgan had a small oil leak and fire but that has already been repaired.
Ascari had an uneventful warm up and Ian Dawson reports Werner will do the first stint followed by Ben and TJ. They expect to at least double stint the Dunlop tyres and they also believe that the economy is good. Also on Dunlops Bentley ended the session in third place but times are really meaningless giving little indication of race pace.
The Prodrive Ferrari again topped the GTS class and all the drivers did three laps giving them the opportunity to practice driver changes.
The other two MG has no problems and Knight Hawk suggested that their car would cover 15 or 16 laps between stops. Duncan Dayton will start in the Knight Hawk and he will be followed by Steve Knight and then Mel Hawkins.
The only car not to run in the warm up was the PK Sport Porsche but this was planned. They had installed the race engine after Wednesday practice and felt that rather than risk ant damage they would give the team a few hours extra rest.


After the warm up we were treated to a demolition derby as the Formula France Euroserie cars tried several novel and destructive routes around the circuit. The 44 car grid was reduced by 5 on the start line and the carnage continued throughout the seven lap race with just 20 completing the full distance. Kevin Mathews the only Brit finished second but lead on many occasions as places swapped often on and between every corner. I suspect the main event will be rather less frantic and there could be more finishers.

As the build up to the start continues we have been given a taster to the September Historic on the 21st and 22nd. Two of the rarest cars on show today were a Pegaso and the very pretty Mini powered Unipower. Both these cars practiced but failed to start on their original appearances.

The final treat for the already filling startline grandstands was a display by the Moulin Rouge dancers who are rivalling the traditional Hawaiian Tropic and MG girls
At one oclock the first of the cars is pushed out onto the straight were as is tradition they are covered with the teams national flag.

Club-Arnage qualifying images (wednesday)

Club-Arnage qualifying images (thursday)

For timing and scoring, go to the official ACO site

Copyright© 2002 Club Arnage




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