Team Maranello Concessionaires’ two Ferrari 360N/GT race cars set sixth and ninth quickest times in class during qualifying ahead of round two of the FIA GT Championship at Magny Cours tomorrow (27 April).  Both sessions were declared wet due to a relentless downpour that commenced during the early part of the morning and only eased once the second qualifying session had ended.

Tim Mullen, in car number 88, posted a time of 2.01.803 to secure sixth place in class on the grid for tomorrow’s race.  Car number 89 suffered an unpredictable engine failure during the first free practice session yesterday and, after a new motor was fitted, posted a best time, in the hands of Darren Turner, of 2.02.654. 

Tim Mullen: “I was suffering from some misting of the screen but the rain was unbelievable.  Despite the fact that the track was improving slowly this afternoon, I just couldn’t better this morning’s result as the rain was much heavier after lunch.  The car is working well but Jamie and I know where we can improve still further and the team will be working now to ensure that we will make up ground very quickly tomorrow.  Overall, I’m confident that we will be chasing the Porsche’s very early on in the race.  I can’t wait!”

Darren Tuner: “I had a few issues with the throttle which slowed me down this afternoon.  Kelvin drove during this morning’s qualifying session and, bearing in mind that he hasn’t driven here before, it’s a real credit to him that he was so much quicker than some of the GT as well as N/GT runners.  I hopped in this afternoon but was met by a saturated circuit.  I managed a few quick laps right at the end of the session and we’ll be ready to make up time tomorrow as better weather is forecast.”

“Car 89’s engine failure in free practice yesterday was a blow to the team but, thanks to the hard work of the mechanics and engineers in replacing the unit, Darren was able to ensure that we can race the car tomorrow,” commented Rod Benoist, TMC’s Team Manager.  “Car 88 has been running well, and proves how valuable our shakedown at Millbrook was earlier this week.  Engine failures are always unpredictable and if it’s going to happen at any time, I’d rather it happened during practice.  Right now, the whole team is looking forward to three hours of close action tomorrow and to a good result.”

“The Sky Sports cameras are with us again this weekend, and car 89’s rapid engine change will provide some excellent and exciting TV in due course,” continued John Newman, TMC’s Commercial Director.  “Episode 1 of our programme, ‘Ferrari Racing,’ was aired over the weekend of Barcelona and episode two will be broadcast tomorrow *.  Spain and France will be featured in episode three next month and, judging by the action we have seen here at Magny Cours so far, it should be a cracker!”