Long Beach: Risi Competizione qualifying report

The 'Rosso Red' Risi Competizione Ferrari 430 GT cars will start tomorrow's third round of the American Le Mans Series from third and sixth places on the GT2 grid after a hectic 25-minute qualifying session.

The ultra-competitive GT2 field has, in the last two days, put on a great show for the many fans attending the fabled Long Beach event, and it is certain that tomorrow's race will be no different -- with Risi playing a leading role in the event. But, for today, the outcome of qualifying was somewhat disappointing for the current GT2 champions -- despite the #62 ending up as the leading Ferrari in the field.

"We weren't fast enough today" was Mika Salo's honest explanation as to why his Ferrari was beaten to pole position by a pair of Flying Lizard Motorsport Porsches.

The Finn continued, "I got stuck with traffic at the beginning of the session but then struggled to find enough grip and that was all we could do. We have had a horrible beginning to the season so we need to win here to get us back on track in the Championship, and this didn't really help. The car feels very comfortable for the race though and that's the most important thing, not qualifying, so we still have a shot at winning."

Salo stresses that the 100-minute race will be a sprint from start to finish, and is relishing the overtaking opportunities that he feels are available here at Long Beach that weren't at St Petersburg.

Disappointment at what might have been was also the over-riding feeling for Austrian, Patrick Friesacher, who qualified the #61 Ferrari 430GT. "I had a little problem with the gearbox during qualifying; I couldn't get it to downshift or upshift properly. Otherwise the car was really good and I think I could have finished in the top four easily but this is how it is now. We have a strong car for the race and we are looking pretty good."

-credit: rc