Michelin Report

MICHELIN PREVAILS AT LIME ROCK PARK IN GT-1; CAPTURES FIFTH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY

(LAKEVILLE, CT) --- Michelin scored its fifth consecutive victory of the North American GT racing season in the Dodge Dealers Grand Prix Monday, May 25 in Professional Sports Car Racing's GT1 class, and first overall victory. The Michelin-equipped Panoz GTR-1 No. 4 driven by Andy Wallace and David Brabham prevailed over teammates Eric Bernard and Raul Boesel in the No. 5 Panoz GTR-1.

The two Panoz machines traded the lead several times, with Brabham leading the final 45 laps of the 112-lap, one-hour, forty-five minute contest. Brabham turned the fastest lap of the race with a record time of 51:687=107.261 mph on lap 95. The previous fastest race lap for GT1 was a time of 54.410=101.893 mph, set by Irv Hoerr in 1995.

"We are pleased with the ability of the Michelin Pilots to give our drivers the grip and handling they need on the many different track types we have raced on this year," said Thomas Chubb, Manager, Michelin Brand Marketing. "The tires were flawless all weekend, as we have come to expect from our Pilot radials."

Bernard in the No. 5 Michelin-equipped Panoz qualified on the pole, shattering the GT1 record with a time of 51.118=108.45 mph. The previous record was 53.249=104.114 mph set by Andy Pilgrim in 1995. Wallace qualified second, also breaking the track record with time of 51.976=106.66 mph.

Lime Rock is Michelin's fifth consecutive victory of the North American GT racing season. Michelin claimed victory in Rolex 24 at Daytona when the Michelin Pilot-equipped Rohr Motorsports Porsche 911 GT1 took the checkered flag first in the GT1 class. Michelin then swept the top three GT1 positions at the Exxon Superflo 12 Hours of Daytona, led by the Panoz of Brabham and Wallace. Those victories were followed up with triumphs in Las Vegas and Homestead, Fla.

Two Michelin-equipped Panoz GTR-1s will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans June 6 and 7. The No. 44 Panoz will be fielded by the French DAMS team, which is participating in the FIA GT Championship. Bernard, Christophe Tinseau and Johnny O'Connell will share driving responsibilities. Brabham, Wallace and Jamie Davies will pilot the No. 45 Panoz, entered by Panoz Motor Sports U.S.