Johnny O'Connell :::: 2002 Season ::::: WINS SEBRING!

PIT NOTES

50th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring PRESENTED BY DODGE Pit Notes:
Page 35 SATURDAY MARCH 16, 2002

Duncan Dayton (#37-P675 MG Lola EX257) (about the heat) "It was pretty hot early on. (later) I got in from 4 till 6 and the clouds came, so it got cooler. The heat (then) was not that big of a deal." (about racing at Sebring) "I am a huge history racing buff. I’ve even raced historics. To do it (win) at Sebring is a thrill."

Michael Durand (#37-P675 MG Lola EX257) (about the win) "I think tomorrow it will hit me on the way home " (about the heat) "My first stint was around 1:00 and it was very tough because of the heat. I was not looking forward to my next stint."

Stefan Johansson (#38-P900 Audi R-8) "This was not a very satisfying second place. It’s a bit disappointing to be so close all day and not win. "

Andy Wallace (#38-P900 Audi R-8) "You always want to win, but second is great for the team. The team earned it, the car was fine all day long."

Jan Lammers (#38-P900 Audi R-8) "I think it was a good result, since third was the best we felt we could do. We had some luck, which you always have to have. I screwed up on the last turn and spun, got stuck in reverse, but had plenty of time to gather it up and cross the line. All things considered, it was a good day."

Johnny O’Connell (#3-GTS Corvette C5-R) (about the heat) "It was the most difficult Sebring I’ve done. Last years we lost because of a starter. This year we had a backup starter and battery on the car, making it like an airplane."

Ron Fellows (#3-GTS Corvette C5-R) "Real men drive with an engine up front and a roof over our heads. The win gets the monkey off our back by winning Sebring, finally."

Oliver Gavin (#3-GTS Corvette C5-R) "Last year we were the underdogs, but this year we came in favored, so it added a little pressure. It was stinking hot this year. It was great to win on the fiftieth anniversary of Sebring."

Lucas Luhr (#23-GT Porsche 911 GT3 RS) (on the win) "Yes, I’m very happy. The first year I was in the US, Sebring was my first race and I won it. To win it three times in a row, I’m happy about it. This was the toughest year since we had just two drivers. I had to fight to come of the car alive. I’m glad its over." (on winning the 50th Sebring) "For all the drivers to drive in front of all the spectators today was special. It will be in the record books forever."

Sascha Maassen (#23-GT Porsche 911 GT3 RS) (on the hot weather conditions) "We took preparations. We had cool vests and one window out and a fan, until it stopped working for a while. The car was no problem at all. We could concentrate on the weather. The team preparation was great. It was a 1-year old car, it feels like new, though." (any problems with the car) "Some, there’s always one at a 12-hour race. There was one with the guys in a yellow GT car who dropped oil and spun in front of me. My crew chief said (over the radio) ‘There’s oil at turn 12’. I said that’s too late now." (about adding a third driver) "Had Emmanuelle Collard been available, yes. We’d consider a third driver only if it fits. We’re a proven team. He has to be funny, and good."

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