gaijin
02-16-2005, 11:18 AM
Chowder Society Gets a Great Taste of the American Le Mans Series
ALMS Story 2-16-2005
New York City - Two of the American Le Mans Series brightest stars, Ron Fellows and JJ Lehto, were on hand Tuesday in Manhattan, speaking to a capacity audience at the Madison Avenue Sports Car Association and Chowder Society at Sardi's, one of New York City's most renowned gathering places. Fellows and Lehto, reigning champions in the GT1 and LMP1 classes, respectively, spoke about the upcoming 2005 season, recent tests at Sebring and answered ALMS related questions from the prestigious group of media, executives and motor sports enthusiasts.
"The car is perfect," deadpanned Fellows. "In all seriousness, it's really a very good race car and the Sebring tests allowed us to learn the new setup and drive lines."
Corvette Racing and Fellows have won 4 straight GT1 championships in the ALMS. The factory team will return in 2005 with the new C6-R race car, a new improved version of its reigning C5-R counterpart.
Lehto, last year's LMP1 and overall champion, proclaimed Road America and Road Atlanta to be his favorite ALMS tracks, but is eager for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring endurance race as the first challenge to defend the title with teammate Marco Werner.
"The big challenge at our Sebring test was to get the cars setup for all 4 of our driver likings," said Lehto.
Champion Audi is entering two cars for the entire ALMS season as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
"Champion Audi owner Dave Maraj has a unique opportunity," said ALMS President and CEO, Scott Atherton, who addressed the group extolling the rise of the series. "Dave and Champion Audi have a real chance to do well at Le Mans. They have their best opportunity ever to win which would not only give an American based team its first Le Mans win since 1967, but it would also become the first American privateer team ever to capture Le Mans," stated Atherton.
"This is one reason that we are very confident about the direction of our series," continued Atherton. "Today we are firmly established as a major component of American motor sports. With attendance and television ratings up dramatically, I think we have established a reputation of being able to deliver a fantastic return on investment for our manufacturers and sponsors, as we have established a World Class platform for sports car racing. People are voting with their television remotes and wallets, and as long as that is the case we will be just fine. Our time is now and I love our position."
The grand finale highlight of the event was the drawing and giveaway of a limited edition Sebring watch by JeanRichard Swiss Watches President Ron Jackson. Lou Mohn, President of Motor Trend and Automobile magazines, was the surprise winner of the historic timepiece. JeanRichard will unveil its limited edition Sebring watch, Thursday night at an exclusive reception at Manhattan's Tourneau TimeMachine, the world's largest retail watch location.
ALMS Story 2-16-2005
New York City - Two of the American Le Mans Series brightest stars, Ron Fellows and JJ Lehto, were on hand Tuesday in Manhattan, speaking to a capacity audience at the Madison Avenue Sports Car Association and Chowder Society at Sardi's, one of New York City's most renowned gathering places. Fellows and Lehto, reigning champions in the GT1 and LMP1 classes, respectively, spoke about the upcoming 2005 season, recent tests at Sebring and answered ALMS related questions from the prestigious group of media, executives and motor sports enthusiasts.
"The car is perfect," deadpanned Fellows. "In all seriousness, it's really a very good race car and the Sebring tests allowed us to learn the new setup and drive lines."
Corvette Racing and Fellows have won 4 straight GT1 championships in the ALMS. The factory team will return in 2005 with the new C6-R race car, a new improved version of its reigning C5-R counterpart.
Lehto, last year's LMP1 and overall champion, proclaimed Road America and Road Atlanta to be his favorite ALMS tracks, but is eager for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring endurance race as the first challenge to defend the title with teammate Marco Werner.
"The big challenge at our Sebring test was to get the cars setup for all 4 of our driver likings," said Lehto.
Champion Audi is entering two cars for the entire ALMS season as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
"Champion Audi owner Dave Maraj has a unique opportunity," said ALMS President and CEO, Scott Atherton, who addressed the group extolling the rise of the series. "Dave and Champion Audi have a real chance to do well at Le Mans. They have their best opportunity ever to win which would not only give an American based team its first Le Mans win since 1967, but it would also become the first American privateer team ever to capture Le Mans," stated Atherton.
"This is one reason that we are very confident about the direction of our series," continued Atherton. "Today we are firmly established as a major component of American motor sports. With attendance and television ratings up dramatically, I think we have established a reputation of being able to deliver a fantastic return on investment for our manufacturers and sponsors, as we have established a World Class platform for sports car racing. People are voting with their television remotes and wallets, and as long as that is the case we will be just fine. Our time is now and I love our position."
The grand finale highlight of the event was the drawing and giveaway of a limited edition Sebring watch by JeanRichard Swiss Watches President Ron Jackson. Lou Mohn, President of Motor Trend and Automobile magazines, was the surprise winner of the historic timepiece. JeanRichard will unveil its limited edition Sebring watch, Thursday night at an exclusive reception at Manhattan's Tourneau TimeMachine, the world's largest retail watch location.