Laguna Seca: Elton Julian event summary

Elton Julian Completes ALMS Podium Trio at Laguna SecaJ 24 May 2010 -- In his first three races since returning to the cockpit after a four-year layoff, Elton Julian has stood on each step of the American Le Mans Series' LMPC class podium. He completed the trio at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca last weekend, where the Californian racer joined teammates Gunnar Jeannette and Christian Zugel in piloting the G-Oil sponsored Green Earth Team Gunnar entry to third place in the coastal California track's annual day-into-night enduro.

With the Kevin Jeannette-run outfit back up to three drivers for the six-hour event following its victorious run at Long Beach, Elton was delighted to be asked to join the team again for what was, surprisingly, his first-ever visit to the scenic Monterey track. Gunnar Jeannette once more handled qualifying duties, being narrowly edged out for the class pole on the session's final lap.

Julian was designated to start the bright green number 99 car. After dodging the Genoa Racing car as it spun in the middle of the famed Corkscrew, Elton found himself embroiled in a lengthy duel for first with Level 5 Motorsport's Christophe Bouchut. The pair were nose-to-tail with Julian in front until a mistake by Bouchut handed the Californian a 10-second advantage, which he maintained until being spun off by Clint Field's LMP Lola at turn two. Once back on track, he renewed his dice with Bouchut, harrying the Frenchman for 20 laps prior to stopping for fuel. Electrical trouble in the pits dropped Julian to third, where he ran until handing off to Christian Zugel at the end of his double stint.

Zugel put in a steady run, punctuated by a quick spin, turning the G-Oil car over to team leader Gunnar Jeannette in fourth place. Jeannette was immediately on a charge, clawing back more than a lap's deficit to reclaim third place in the last hour. There were chills contributing to the thrills and spills, as temperatures plunged from the unseasonably low 50s in daylight down near the freezing mark as evening fell, sharply reducing tire grip for all. In the conditions, it was no surprise that Gunnar suffered his own spin just minutes from the checkered flag, without affecting the team's final position.

"It was a crazy, up and down race, but the team was able to tough it out and take another top-three result. It was so cold while we were waiting for our turn on the podium that we agreed to toast each other with the champagne rather spraying it. Then Bouchut reneged on the deal, so the rest of us let him have it," said Julian. "I want to thank the whole GETG crew for making me part of the team again here. I hope I get the chance to repay their confidence with a few more good results later in the season."

-source: elton julian PR