26.08.2003  GT CLASS FERRARI TEAMS STRUGGLE AT ROAD AMERICA 500

The only other GT Ferrari running at the chequered flag was the Risi Competizione 360 Modena of Anthony Lazzaro and Ralf Kelleners, a further twelve laps further back, electrical problems having put paid to a highly promising start.

JMB RACING RACE REPORT

JMB Racing USA suffered from a disappointing day Sunday at the Road America 500 presented by the Chicago Tribune in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.  Misfortune struck, as both Ferrari 360 Modena GTs were forced to retire from the race due to an electrical failure related to the gearbox. 

Three weeks ago in Trois-Rivieres, JMB Racing USA crashed out of what was looking to be their first podium finish.  Then last week in Mosport, Iradj Alexander spun out of the race from third position and got stuck in the gravel, losing several laps.  This week, as many of the top GT teams were plagued with problems, JMB Racing USA again fell victim of bad luck and was unable to finish.

After a less than par performance in qualifying, the team opted to change tire compounds which meant that their qualifying time was disallowed and both cars had to start from the back of the pack.  Iradj Alexander, who started the #28 car, and Philip Shearer who started the #29 quickly began picking up positions and moving towards the front. 

Turning some of the quickest lap times he had gone all weekend, Alexander and the Dyson car of Butch Leitzinger came together in turn 5 forcing the #28 off the track.  Alexander promptly came into the pits for a damage evaluation of the car and was sent on his way after everything appeared to be unhurt, once again placing him at the rear of the field. 

Prior to and following the incident, Alexander was running the same lap speeds as the cars at the front of the GT field, and gaining 2 seconds a lap on the competitors ahead of him.  Unfortunately, it was all for naught as the electronics that control the gearbox failed.  Almost simultaneously, the #29 car suffered from the same electrical problem, and was forced to retire as well. 

“The team had a real disappointing day today”, stated Alexander.  “We made a risky choice of changing tires compounds after qualifying and it really paid off as the set-up was the best it’s been all weekend.  I was able to put the car wherever I wanted it.  It’s too bad we had this misfortune today, and were not able to capitalize.”

CALPONT RISI COMPETIZIONE RACE REPORT

The Michelin shod, Risi Competizione Ferrari GT Team, sponsored by Calpont concluded this week end’s Road America Race in 12th position in their GT class after an early retirement due to electrical problems.

Coming off impressive practice and qualifying sessions this weekend at the Road America 500, sponsored by The Chicago Tribune, The Risi Competizione Ferrari 360 Modena GT Team really seemed to have their share of problems. Sharing the wheel were Ralf Kelleners (Germany) and Anthony Lazzaro (United States). Starting the race in 4th position on the grid, the team fought off the Porsches and the other Ferrari teams on this 4.048-mile road course.

By the first hour of the race, Kelleners had put the car into 2nd position in class. A flat spotted tire caused an early pit stop. They pitted under a yellow an hour and 15 minutes into the race. Anthony got into the car and was maintaining a competitive position hoping for some luck.  But, unfortunately the day ended early with and electrical issue.

Rick Mayer, Engineer, No.35, Risi Competizione, Ferrari 360 Modena GT: “We had electrical issues, which were not easily diagnosed. This put us out of the race. We are investigating it and will have it sorted out for La Guna Seca.  It was unfortunate as the car was competitive all week.”

Anthony Lazzaro, No.35, Risi Competizione, Ferrari 360 Modena GT: “This week end certainly was like a roller coaster ride. We came in with a lot of momentum after having 3 podiums in a row. We knew coming in to Road America that we were going to be challenged with the long straights here. The Risi Competizione Team did a fantastic job developing the car. We were actually even more competitive than we thought we were going to be, given that this was a power track. We were the quickest in the Saturday afternoon practice, and then we finished qualifying in 4th position, which was great and gave us a good place to start the race from. All we can do is move on to La Guna Seca. We finished 2nd on the podium there last year and hopefully we can use some of that experience to our advantage.”

Ralf Kelleners, No.35, Risi Competizione, Ferrari 360 Modena GT: “I was happy with the car Saturday. Unfortunately, this was not our Sunday.” The team is gearing up already to defend last year’s podium finish at La Guna Seca.