Friday, August 31, 2007

Detroit - Friday Afternoon Practice

4:16 pm - The No.7 Penske prototype is off in to the tire wall at Turn 8. And the session is red flagged. This may be the end of the session as he will probably need assistance to get back to the pits. Both cars are back in the pits. The No 45 is heading to tech before the qualifying session begins. The No. 44 will sit in pit lane. The No. 7 Penske is off the wall now and is returning to the pits. Qualifying may be somewhat delayed if the cleanup takes too long.

4:09 pm - Mika Salo in the No. 61 and Bruni in the No. 61 have both now edged past Patrick for the fastest times of the session. The No. 45 is still in P 5. Johannes has pitted for a setup change.

Patrick's take on his stint: "I'm getting used to the track now. Car was good right out of the box. We experimented with a different compound combination and that worked out well. Craig's (Watkins) changes from this morning really helped with the car - especially in managing the bumps. We've identified some more changes we can make after the session which could improve the car even more from a speed standpoint so we are optimistic that we can be competitive tomorrow."

4:01 pm - Green flag.

3:58 pm - The No. 53 Panoz, which has been struggling all day, appears to have an expired engine and is stopped on track near pit in. Red flag while the safety workers work to push it into the pits.

3:54 - Green flag. 25 minutes left in the session. Johannes does one outlap then pits for a change.

3:52 - We are still red. Darren is now in the car in the No. 44 and will join the line in pit out.

3:44 - Johannes is out in the No. 45 as the cars line up in pit lane waiting for the green flag. They have a flat tow on track now for the Mazda - probably 5 more minutes for the red flag. The No. 44 crew is still finishing their setup changes. Patrick will remain in the car.

3:42 pm - Red flag - the No. 8 Mazda Prototype is in the tire wall and will need assistance back to pit lane. driver appears fine.

3:35 pm - Joerg pits for a setup change.

3:33 pm - Patrick's last lap was 1:26.394 and he's P1. he's pitting for a setup change. Joerg has the fifth fastest time in GT2.

3:29 pm - Patrick is now P1 in the session with a 1:26.877.

3:26 pm - Nine of the GT2 cars are back out on track. Neither Tafel Porsche (both of which were damaged in this am's session) is back out yet and the 22 Panoz is not out either. Patrick has the second fastest time so far in the session.

3:22 pm - Green flag. One of the Panoz stopped on pit out with a possible loose
wheel. The No. 44 is on track and the No. 45 is just heading out.

3:20 pm ET - Good afternoon from Belle Isle. Both Porsches are fully repaired after this morning's incidents and back in pit lane ready for this afternoon's session. We have a one hour practice session and then qualifying immediately afterward. Patrick Long will start the session in the No. 44 and Joerg in the No. 45.

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