25.07.2004 "I got on the brakes and it just snapped away from me, unfortunately, there was some traffic around and David was right behind" Krohn-Barbour ALMS QUALIFYING report from Portland

The hard-working determination of the Krohn-Barbour Racing pit crew made it possible for the team's two Lamborghini Murciélago R-GTs to take part in Saturday afternoon's qualifying session for the Portland Grand Prix, after both cars sustained damage in a freak double-accident earlier in the day.

Misfortune struck the new team 20 minutes into the morning's one-hour practice session, when the no 6 Lamborghini of co-owner Tracy Krohn spun approaching the tight chicane on the start-finish straight.

Team-mate David Brabham was following right behind and, when forced to brake hard, also spun.

The gap between the stationary no 6 car and the concrete barriers was a little too narrow for the no 5 car to make it through, and the Lamborghinis touched. Krohn's car suffered mostly rear-end damage, while Brabham's took its hardest knock at the front.

"I got on the brakes and it just snapped away from me, quick as anything," Krohn explained, "It would've been okay but, unfortunately, there was some traffic around and David was right behind."

"The same thing that happened to Tracy happened to me," Brabham added, "I'm as experienced as anyone out there, but it caught me out."

There were those who doubted the cars would be repaired in time for either the one-hour practice or 20-minute qualifying sessions that followed, but not team manager Dick Barbour. "Just watch my guys," he said, as the cars were brought to the garage for repairs, "We'll have them back out there. Never say die."

The no 6 car made it onto the track at the start of afternoon practice, while the no 5 was running 15 minutes later.

In qualifying, Krohn posted a best time of 1min 16.505secs to take fifth place in the GTS class, while Brabham's co-driver, Peter Kox, recorded a lap of 1min 12.228secs, good enough for fourth in class and a top ten place overall, despite both drivers having to guess which Pirelli tyres would best suit the cars because of lack of track time.