Ginetta-Zytek is Fastest Specialist Manufacturer at Petit Le Mans

The new 4.5-litre engined LMP1 Ginetta-Zytek 07S has qualified ninth overall and fourth in class for tomorrow's Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta, Georgia. It is a notable performance for a car that first turned a wheel only a few weeks ago. All the cars ahead of it on the grid will come from major vehicle manufacturers, the Ginetta-Zytek being the quickest from an independent chassis and engine supplier.

Just as impressive has been the performance of the qualifying driver, Olivier Pla who has never raced an LMP1 car before. The former two-time GP2 winner has been driving an LMP2 car in the Le Mans Series in Europe this year and at the Le Mans 24-hours. His time of 1m 07.660s was not much more than 1.4 seconds slower than the pole sitting factory Peugeot. It was also over 1.3 seconds faster than the pole sitter in 2007.

"The car," says the young Frenchman, "has big, big potential." American Le Mans Series newcomer Olivier will share the Team LNT Ginetta-Zytek with Englishman Danny Watts who finished third in the LMP2 class during the 2007 event, also in a Zytek chassis.

Team LNT, which has entered the car, is confident that it has the right race set up for tomorrow's event. It is a 10-hour or 1,000 miles race, a punishing contest in which, as Stefan Johansson, who is driving a second LMP1 Zytek 07S in the race, the most important things is "to keep your nose clean."

Stefan finished the 25-minute qualifying session in 17th overall and eight in class. His car is new to Corsa Motorsports and, as he pointed out, "we are still learning a lot about its balance.

We hope that we will have it dialled in a bit better for the race." Former Grand Prix driver Stefan will be part of a three-car team with Gunnar Jeannette and Johnny Mowlem.

- Ian Wagstaff -