Harold Primat and Aston Martin Racing team mates; Adrian Fernandez and Stefan Mücke, stormed through the field from eighth on the grid to finish third at Petit Le Mans and record their second podium finish in as many races in the American Le Mans Series.
In one of the most competitive fields Petit Le Mans has ever seen, Stefan set a fastest time of 1.10.485 in the 007 DBR1-2 during Saturday’s qualifying session. It was a time that was just three tenths of a second behind the quickest petrol powered car; setting the scene for what would be a tightly contested 394 laps of the Atlanta circuit.
On Sunday morning, Adrian lined up the 007 car on the fourth row of the grid for the start of the world-famous endurance race; alongside over 50 other prototype and GT cars. The opening fifty laps of the race saw three safety car periods, as cars tangled with each other throughout the field, yet Adrian kept the 007 car out of trouble and maintained eighth position during his first stint.
On lap 50 it was Harold’s turn to take control for a double stint at the wheel. Yet more safety car periods dominated the race which, coupled with heavy traffic, saw Harold face a challenging 60 laps in the DBR1-2. However, Harold successfully pushed on without putting a foot wrong and was up to seventh place before handing over to Stefan for his first stint of the day.
Following his pit stop, Mücke rejoined the track in P5 and began to pursue the top-placed petrol car, eventually passing it after 170 laps to regain the unofficial petrol class lead. Ten laps later the next driver change was made and Fernandez pushed on in fourth position.
On lap 278 Harold took over for his second stint of the afternoon. With even the top running diesel cars falling victim to the tricky racing conditions, Harold kept the 007 car out of trouble and was running strongly in third position before handing over to Stefan for his final stint of the race.
With darkness having engulfed the race track, Stefan faced a tricky stint in the closing stages of the race; driving almost fifty laps with oil from a car in front covering his windscreen. Running in third position and four laps ahead of the fourth placed car, the final driver change of the race was made with Adrian taking to the wheel.
Despite more oil on the track and the tenth safety car period of the race, Adrian guided the 007 car home safely after over nine hours of racing; securing the final podium position and the accolade of the fastest petrol powered car.
“What an incredible race! It is amazing to be standing on the podium after starting the race with five diesel cars in front of us. We knew it was going to be a tough race with all the traffic and our strategy was simple; to stay out of trouble, have a clean race and push on to the finish;” commented Harold Primat.
“The entire team didn’t put a foot wrong all weekend and we can be proud of what we achieved. The car handled well, we had strong consistent pace, a good strategy to deal with all the safety car periods, and my team mates and I raced hard and kept the car out of trouble which is what brought us to the podium. The win at Laguna Seca two weeks ago was an amazing feeling and yesterday’s podium finish is more proof that we have a reliable car which is running well and consistently, and a team that can deliver the top results. I’m looking forward to heading to China next month for the last race of the season where we will be working hard to make it three podiums out of three;” continued Harold Primat.
Harold Primat heads to Zhuhai in China for the final round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup on 12 November 2011.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
About Harold Primat:
Harold Primat is a Swiss racing driver with over 15 years racing experience including British F3, World Series Lights, Le Mans Series and American Le Mans Series.
Harold Primat is supported by the following personal sponsors; Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza, Harwood International, Crans Montana and Primland.
www.haroldprimat.com
Follow Harold on Twitter @Harold_Primat and on Facebook
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