All had agreed before the race that it would be a close fight in the GTS category, and so it was. The balance just tipped away from the Prodrive Ferraris this weekend, and the two scarlet 550 Maranellos finished in 2nd and 4th places - just 11 seconds behind the class winner. 

In ambient temperatures of over 100oF (35oC), the 2h 45 minute race was hard on all those who were involved. For the drivers of the closed cockpit cars, temperatures in their working environment reached a breathtaking 150oF (60oC), and Jérôme Policand was just one of many to suffer from dehydration during his time behind the wheel. 

Tomas Enge, starting the race in the #88 car, made a strong start from 4th place in the category and was up to 2nd by the third lap, pushing hard for the class lead. A spin on lap 14 dropped him back several places, although no damage occurred to the car and he was able to continue without having to make a stop and was soon making up for lost time. Peter Kox continued the good work in his mid race stint, and between the pair they closed the gap to finish a very close second. 

Jérôme Policand, making his first appearance in the American Le Mans Series alongside debutante Danica Patrick, was behind the wheel of the #80 Prodrive Ferrari as the race began. Unfortunately his drinks bottle became disconnected and he therefore was not able to take on any fluids during his initial stint and was very dehydrated when he came in. A quick check by the circuit's medical team and re-hydration saw him recover quickly enough to be able to complete a second stint. They were running in 3rd position for much of the race but the Frenchman also suffered a spin in the closing laps which dropped the duo down to 4th. 

George Howard-Chappell, Team Principal: "It was a very good race, very tight, as predicted, and Corvette did a really good job here today. I am happy with our performance and we hope to put on as good a show as this all year." 

Danica Patrick (USA), Car 80: "My first sportscar race was a little harder than I thought it was going to be, but all in all it was a good first experience. I really enjoyed working with everyone here this weekend and there were a few things which I know we can improve for the next race. It would have been nice to be on the podium for my first race but there you go - we can have our turn soon." 

Jérôme Policand (F), Car 80: "I'm really sorry for Danica and the team about spinning but I was pushing hard and the car just got away from me. It was very hard in the car during my first stint, but I felt fine once I'd had some water and a shower so was able to continue." 

Peter Kox (NL), Car 88: "It was not our day. We were fighting strongly and I thought the competition did a good job. They improved a lot and I think we have to raise our game to match them. It was a shame we lost a bit of time but I don't blame Tomas as he was pushing really hard. I did the same and we make up some good time - our Michelin tyres worked well." 

Tomas Enge (CZ), Car 88: "I'm a little disappointed as we came here to win and we didn't quite manage that today. But we will in the future. The competition was very close and it was good racing and I am looking forward to the next race where we can repeat our Le Mans winning form."

PRACTICE & QUALIFYING

The Care Racing supported Prodrive Ferrari team received a cruel blow from the weather gods this afternoon which has resulted in the two Ferrari 550 Maranellos starting from 4th and 5th in the GTS category for tomorrow’s race.

A sudden downpour just before the end of the afternoon practice session – which was due to finish just ten minutes before the expected 20 minute GTS/GT qualifying session – saw the organisers introduce a force majeure measure for safety reasons and cancel qualifying.  The fastest times of the day (set in the dry during the early part of the afternoon) were therefore used to determine the starting order for the 2h 45 minute race.  No points will be awarded for qualifying.

Both Ferraris had been working on balance and set up, and were running with half tanks and old tyres, planning to save their optimum set up for a little later in the afternoon.  

The disappointment of the entire team in the lack of opportunity to show the true measure of the cars’ performance in qualifying trim was expressed by the drivers and Team Principal, George Howard-Chappell.

Jérôme Policand (F), Car 80:  “I cannot understand why we are not running in qualifying conditions, in full wet conditions, to allow us to compete.  It is very disappointing.”

Tomas Enge (CZ), Car 88:  “I am frustrated not to be able to take part in a competitive session.  We were working on different set-ups this afternoon, getting ready for qualifying, and now we don’t have that opportunity.  We are here to compete – that’s what we want to do.”

George Howard-Chappell:  “I feel very let down on behalf of all the Ferrari fans who were looking forward to seeing a really interesting and close qualifying session.  Having said that, we have full confidence in the cars’ performance and the abilities of all our drivers and we will just have to fight that little bit harder in tomorrow’s race to make up the difference.”

PRODRIVE FERARI UNDERGO HECTIC PREPARATIONS FOR ROAD ATLANTA

Usually the combination of a new track, a new car and a new team presents a fairly steep learning curve for drivers.  Prodrive Ferrari’s two new signings, however, have put paid to that myth.  

Danica Patrick benefited from some private track time earlier in the week to familiarise herself with the Ferrari, and has acquitted herself extremely well in the eyes of all in the team. Not only has she turned in some very impressive lap times, but she has also shown a good technical understanding of what is required and has adapted well to the vigorous physical demands of the bigger, heavier car.

Her team mate, Jérôme Policand, has a slight advantage over Danica in that he raced a Ferrari 550 Maranello at this year’s Le Mans event so knows the car.  He has also visited Road Atlanta before, once in 1998 – before changes to the track took place.  

Although not tall by basketball standards, Policand is some 9 inches taller than his diminutive team mate so some compromises have had to be met to fit them both in the car. Danica has a more substantial seat packer to secure her tiny frame in the seat, and Jerome has had to accustom himself to looser seat belts than normal (to accommodate the seat packer), but he has been enormously impressed with the young American’s ability to muscle the car around the track.  Having gained much of his sportscar experience in prototypes, the Frenchman compares the Ferrari very favourably to the lighter, faster cars, saying that the response and feel of the 550 is much the same as the prototypes.

Quick turn-around to cross the Atlantic: The last few weeks have been somewhat hectic for the Prodrive Ferrari team, particularly those responsible for the logistical and transport side of the operation.

The logistical planning for both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Road Atlanta event just two weeks later has been a challenge to many teams in the pitlane. At Prodrive, Chief “Truckie”, Paul Field, and Team Administrator, Fiona Moore, have successfully moved over 16 tons of freight and more than 50 people around the world since the beginning of June and not one person or item has been misplaced!

Twelve tons of freight was sent in two team transporters to Le Mans to cover the gruelling week of testing and racing – all that was necessary to provide a home-from-home for the team in terms of workshop, spares storage, pit and garage equipment. At the same time preparations had to be made to transport 4 tons of airfreight and ship two 40ft articulated truck loads of equipment and parts to cover not only this event but the remainder of the American Le Mans Series.  One team transporter is present in Georgia, and a second will be arriving with more equipment next week to supplement the team’s facilities in the US.  

The engineers and mechanics have had a far from quiet time too. The crew on the Le Mans winning car 88 had just a few days to strip it down and re-prepare for the Atlanta Grand Prix. Their fellow crew members took delivery of the Luc Alphand Aventures Ferrari 550 back at the team’s Banbury, England base days after the race and had to complete the same process in just two days. This car replaces the #80 Maranello which was heavily damaged in the Le Mans crash that befell Anthony Davidson in the early hours of the morning. While it was not damaged beyond repair, more time was required to be spent on it than was available last week.