Porsche Driving LeMans Race Coverage Article 1

6/11

7:02 am PST

"Porsche Qualifies 1, 2 Overall"

Le Mans 1997
Wednesday Qualifying, June 11
Submitted by P. Michael Clarke

First-day qualifying for the 1997 Le Mans 24-hour endurance race finds the two Porsche factory 911 GT1 entries atop the provisional qualifying grid. The fastest qualifier, clocked early in the twilight session on Wednesday, was the team of Hans Stuck/Thierry Boutsen/Bob Wolleck, whose fastest lap time was recorded at 3:44.234 (135.67 mph). Yannick Dalmas/Rolf Kelleners/Emmanuel Collard finished just over a second behind in second place at 3:45.490.

Boutsen, the driver who clocked the fastest lap, revealed after the qualifying run that the team used the harder race tires rather than the softer, stickier qualifying tires. This indicates that, clearly, the factory car can go faster if needed. "On Thursday, the team will concentrate on race setup rather than trying to outqualify ourselves," Boutsen said "Of course, if the competition gets quicker, we'll go out on qualifying tires to try and regain the top spot."

"This is probably the best position for a team in a race as important as Le Mans," Boutsen exclaimed. "The cars feel great." Both factory Porsches eclipsed last year's fastest qualifying time recorded by a TWR Porsche (3:46.682), which ranked third on Wednesday's qualifying list. A WSC Ferrari (Moretti/Theys/Papis) and a McLaren BMW (Letho/Soper/Piquet) round out the top five spots.

6/11	7:02 am PST	"Porsche Qualifies 1, 2 Overall"
Le Mans 1997 Wednesday Qualifying, June 11 Submitted by P. Michael Clarke First-day qualifying for the 1997 Le Mans 24-hour endurance race finds the two Porsche factory 911 GT1 entries atop the provisional qualifying grid. The fastest qualifier, clocked early in the twilight session on Wednesday, was the team of Hans Stuck/Thierry Boutsen/Bob Wolleck, whose fastest lap time was recorded at 3:44.234 (135.67 mph). Yannick Dalmas/Rolf Kelleners/Emmanuel Collard finished just over a second behind in second place at 3:45.490. Boutsen, the driver who clocked the fastest lap, revealed after the qualifying run that the team used the harder race tires rather than the softer, stickier qualifying tires. This indicates that, clearly, the factory car can go faster if needed. "On Thursday, the team will concentrate on race setup rather than trying to outqualify ourselves," Boutsen said "Of course, if the competition gets quicker, we'll go out on qualifying tires to try and regain the top spot." "This is probably the best position for a team in a race as important as Le Mans," Boutsen exclaimed. "The cars feel great." Both factory Porsches eclipsed last year's fastest qualifying time recorded by a TWR Porsche (3:46.682), which ranked third on Wednesday's qualifying list. A WSC Ferrari (Moretti/Theys/Papis) and a McLaren BMW (Letho/Soper/Piquet) round out the top five spots.