2003 SEASON ::: MORE RACING NEWS Le Mans 2003: Some years at Le Mans…things go your way. This year they didn’t. From the get-go we struggled getting a good race car, and for the second race in a row, we entered a big race with our car not in the sweet spot. All said and done, we did well, but most of the credit goes to the guys at Pratt and Miller for their unbelievable teamwork…and the attitude they bring to the race track every time. Being straight and honest, the Ferrari ran a great race. They were quicker, could double stint tires, and had no problems on the winning car. To beat them next year, we are going to have to improve our game, and rest assured, we have the people…and more importantly the desire to return, and once again show that Corvette rules at Le Mans. The week started out as it normally does on the race track with practice/qualifying from 7 to 9 PM, and then from 10 to 12. I ran a total of two timed laps at the start of the session on a tire we didn’t plan on using for the race, as the track was dirty, and it didn’t make sense to waste a set of tires as the track was run in. Anyway…the car really felt like it had a lot of oversteer in it, and as Ron and Frack got in the car, they were feeling the same thing as I. A few changes were made, but nothing really addressed it, and at the end of the first part…about 8:45…I was given a set of qualifiers to go and try and set a time. Now trying to put in a killer lap, when you haven’t been in the car but for two timed laps…on a set of tires you are unsure of…well it’s not exactly easy. The car was still very very loose, and I managed for what the car had in it…a good time. Now the guys on the 50 car were having a much better time with things…not struggling with handling the way we were. Ollie went out and put a good lap together…nothing we could even get close to. Between sessions we made some more minor changes…but we were still a mile away from a good car. The next session was not much better, and at the end, I think all of us were scratching our heads. The car had the feeling of a bad aero imbalance…just like at Sebring..but in the other direction. The odd thing was…and what was difficult for the engineers…was that both cars should have been almost exactly the same. They next day…they poured all over the data, and though they could see differences…they could not pin down why. Thursday practice/qualifying went pretty much the same way. We were having a hard time controlling the rear of the car under braking, and then also on entry…particularly in the fast corners where it was very unbalanced just as you turn in. Making a long story short…we didn’t go much faster…and we left the track thinking it was for sure going to be a long day on Saturday and Sunday. Friday…was a key day. While going over the cars…both of them…they discovered what was the problem with ours…and it was aero. That was a huge relief to us…but left us with not enough time to really tune our car for the speed we needed. As such we entered the race once again with a hot rod that was not completely in its sweet spot. From the start, we pretty much knew…that the Ferrari had the legs on us. Our only chance would be to hope they had problems…and we didn’t. Unfortunately that is not how things turned out as we were the ones that ended up having problems. First it was an alternator…then later…another alternator that led to us completely changing the gearbox. In a way this was a good thing as the first gear box had just a little notch in it…and did not change gears as well as the second box did. That was not really our only problem…we had a few other minor ones creap up…but the crew dealt with every one of them with the professionalism we have all come to expect from Pratt and Miller. Quite simply they are the best team I have been with. Anyway…starting at noon on Sunday…the team wanted both cars to slow down, and run in position. It really made sense…as we were not going to catch the Ferrari...unless it broke…which it didn’t. Both cars crossed the finish line together… but as the timing device in the 50 car was placed further up front in the car…they finished second...and we finished third. A bit disappointing as we expected more…but to win that race… you have to be perfect for 24 hours. Our problems hurt us….no doubt. Now although we didn’t get the result we wanted…some cool things still happened. Before the race…the team had a meeting during which a letter was read to the team from the White House…very cool…and then a letter was passed out from Theresa Earnhardt…wishing us well and reminding us why our team was so special to Dale. Had God not taken him from us…he would have been there…at Le Mans…racing with us. Finally, and for me the coolest thing…is that the guys from our car were awarded the technicians of the race award. This is a really big award, given to that crew that faces all of the challenges presented them, and keeps there cars competitive in the race. I have to tell you, seeing them with their trophies, a look of incredible pride on their faces, really made me proud of them…but I have to say also of the guys on the 50 car. Everyone on the team really does pull in the same direction, and when one car is having a tough time, everyone works together to get the job done. In closing, some things we are going to have to remember for next year. First off, yellow is a way more lucky color than is Blue. Big time. The only Hotel we can ever stay at as drivers is the Arbor hotel on the Mulsanne Straight. We stayed at the Novotel this year, and although nicer…definitely unlucky. Other than that…a few minor tweaks to the cars, and we’ll be good to go. Road Atlanta is up next, a great track for both us and the Ferrari…it should turn out to be a great race. Johnny O 06/20/03 MORE REPORTS...   Site contents © 2003 Johnny O'Connell GM, GM Emblem, Corvette and the Corvette Emblem are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation and used with permission.