Qualifying Explained, and Team Radio Communications

11:34 am CET - Good morning from Le Mans. The team has arrived after a relatively long night of sleep - average of 6 hours across the board for the crew, more for the drivers - and is going through final preparations for the race. Pre-race ceremonies start at 2pm today, and the green flag drops at 3pm.

We wanted to take a moment to explain the grid position for the car, it's been a bit busy, as Le Mans sometimes is! In a total of 8 hours of track time, spread over Wednesday and Thursday, weather played a huge role in disrupting everyone's best laid plan. Jörg set the team's fastest time in the combined practice/qualifying sessions (best time of the four sessions on Wednesday and Thursday was awarded pole position) in Wednesday's first session, which qualified the No. 80 in 4th position in the GT2 class with a 4:05.588. The No. 87 Ferrari of Scuderia Ecosse qualified on the pole with a 4:04.185, followed in 2nd position by the IMSA Performance Porsche of Patrick Long, then the No. 97 Risi Ferrari.

Qualifying position isn't hugely important at Le Mans - the team is in consensus that mistake-free pit stops are the way to gain the biggest advantage over competitors. The team has practiced pit stops repeatedly over the last week, and prides itself on reliably quick stops.

Radio Free Lizard has been resurrected after a minor incident involving sensitive radio equipment and 220 volt electrical infrastructure. We blew a few fuses, but as team data technician and electrical engineer Mike Menapace said, "We have the technology to rebuild it." Radio Free Lizard will be live with commentary by Jennifer and Shane from 3pm CET on for the duration of the race. Feel free to email questions or comments in either to jennifer@lizardms.com or shane@mahoneyandcompany.net .