Report: Qualifying Quotes, Nogaro 2008

Quotes

Arnaud Peyroles – No.1 Martini Callaway Racing Corvette Z.06R GT3: “Qualifying fourth is very good for me – although I’m certain that I could have gone quicker, because I had traffic. Still, it’s very good for us – we must be very careful in the race, as we have a good starting position. My main target will be to stay on the track on the first lap! After that, we feel we can be strong on this track.”

 

James Ruffier – No.1 Martini Callaway Racing Corvette Z.06R GT3: “Pole position is the best place to be for us, especially because of the Championship situation. We’re only two points behind the leaders, so the Championship effectively starts from here, with just four races to go. It’s important for us to be fast – and to stay on the track! It’s going to be good, and I’m really happy because Arnaud did a fantastic job in his session. This is a hard track, but we will do our best – we need to be good.”

 

Thomas Accary – No.8 Hexis Racing Aston Martin DBRS9: “I’m very happy – it’s great to be starting the first race from pole position. It gives us a good opportunity to score some important points in the championship – this is very good for the team, and for Pierre-Brice and me. At least we stand a good chance of making it past the first corner.”

 

Frédéric Makowiecki – No.10 Hexis Racing Aston Martin DBRS9: “I’m very happy with second place, especially for the team. When we arrived here we thought we would be quick, but we didn’t think it would be possible to be this fast – but the team have done a very good job, so I’m very happy. I’m on the front row, so I’m concerned that the Ford GT and Corvette may be able to get past going into the first corner, but myself and Jean-Claude are both motivated to do well.”

 

Luca Pirri – No.19 Matech GT Racing Ford GT: “I’m very happy to be second – finally, a good qualifying performance! We look forward to having a safe race, staying clear of the first-corner incidents – that’s our main aim, staying out of trouble on the opening laps.”

 

Ian Khan – No.20 Matech GT Racing Ford GT: “My qualifying stint could have gone better – I stumbled over a Morgan on one of my quick laps. But then, I think everyone has trouble with traffic around here. I just can’t seem to find the right pace for qualifying, although I’m okay in the race. The problem is that not doing so well in qualifying always puts me in the middle of the pack, where the accidents often happen.”

 

Thomas Mutsch – No.20 Matech GT Racing Ford GT: “I’m not please with qualifying third – it’s the first time I haven’t been on pole! But third is okay; we still need to do a bit of work on set-up. The Corvettes are very fast here, but it’s an hour-long race, so I hope we will be in a good position at the end.”

 

Bradley Ellis – No.21 Matech GT Racing Ford GT: “That was okay, although it could have been better – I had a Porsche slow down just in front of me on one quick lap, and then I had more traffic come out of the pits. I could probably have gone another half-second quicker, if I had managed to get the best out of the tyres. Still, we are on the second row – hopefully no one will do anything silly at the start of the race.”

 

Margot Laffite – No.31 Morgan Aero 8 GT3: “My qualifying session was incredible – it was really good. It was much easier today on new tyres. Compared to the other tracks this year, I know this circuit well, as it’s somewhere I’ve raced before, so that may have something to do with how well I did. The car was just great, and very pleasant. The only problem is, it’s often easier to avoid the first-lap incidents from further back, but now I’m going to be right up in the thick of it.”

 

Jean-François Hemroulle – No.39 Mühlner Motorsport 997 GT3 Cup S: “I know this track, so my qualifying session was good – although I wasn’t happy with my quickest lap. But with my team-mate, we’ll be trying to do a good race and score some points.”

 

Vincent Vosse – No.40 Mühlner Motorsport Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S: “It’s been a long time since I was in a Porsche! I enjoyed driving it, it’s more fun than I was expecting. It was nice to drive, I enjoyed my time in the car. I think the track suits the Porsche – I might have been able to go a tenth or two quicker, but that’s all. I’m looking forward to the race, and my team-mate did a good job in his qualifying session, so it should be good.”

2008-10-04
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