The X-Factor Grand Prix of Sonoma




CAPELLO LEADS LE MANS SERIES OPENING PRACTICE AT SEARS POINT

Rinaldo Capello, winner of the first two races of the 2001 American Le Mans Series season and the series point leader, turned the fastest lap of the day Friday as practice began for Sunday's The X-Factor Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sears Point Raceway.

Italy's Capello, driving an Audi R8, toured the 2.52-mile circuit at 110.710 mph (1:21.944) to lead the day of practice. Qualifying will be held Saturday to set the starting lineup for Sunday's two-hour, 45-minute sports car endurance race.

Capello will co-drive with Tom Kristensen of Denmark. The two drove to victory in the ALMS season opener at Texas Motor Speedway in March, and Capello also won the 12 Hours at Sebring two weeks later with co-drivers Laurent Aiello and the late Michele Alboreto. The ALMS has not held a race since the Mar. 17 Sebring event.

The Audi team car driven by Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro was second-fastest on the day at 110.208 (1:22.317), followed by the Panoz LMP-1 of Franck Lagorce and Klaus Graf at 107.718 (1:24.220).

Dick Barbour Racing's Reynard 01Q-Judd driven by Didier de Radigues of Belgium led the LMP 675 class with a lap of 103.315 (1:27.809). De Radigues will co-drive with John Graham of Canada and with Milka Duno of Venezuela, the only female driver in the field.

The GTS class was led by the Saleen S7R of Terry Borcheller and Franz Konrad, which Borcheller drove to a lap of 98.511 (1:32.091). The two co-drove to victory with Oliver Gavin in the most recent ALMS race at Sebring. The Chevrolet Corvette of Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell, expected to battle with the Saleen in the race, ran only a handful of slow laps on Friday before breaking a half-shaft and missing the rest of the session.

Bill Auberlen of Hermosa Beach, Calif., drove a new BMW M3 GTR to the fastest lap of the day in the GT class, posting a speed of 97.123 (1:33.407). He will co-drive with Niclas Jonsson of Sweden in Sunday's race. 
	Friday's practice speeds:
1. Rinaldo Capello, Italy; Tom Kristensen, Denmark; Audi R8; 
110.710 mph  (1:21.944).
2. Frank Biela, Germany; Emanuele Pirro, Italy; Audi R8, 
110.208 (1:22.317).
3. Klaus Graf, Germany; Franck Lagorce, France; Panoz LMP-1, 
107.718 (1:24.220).
4. David Brabham, Australia; Jan Magnussen, Denmark; Panoz LMP-1,
107.676 (1:24.253).
5. Wayne Taylor, Altamonte Springs, Fla.; Max Angelelli, Italy; Cadillac LMP 
107.006 (1:24.780).
6. Christophe Tinseau, France; Emmanuel Collard, England; Cadillac LMP 01, 
106.498 (1:25.185).
7. Jon Field, Dublin, Ohio; Rick Sutherland, Los Gatos, Calif.; Lola B2K-Judd, 
105.218 (1:26.221).
8. Didier de Radigues, Belgium; Milka Duno, Venezuela; John Graham, Canada; Reynard 01Q-Judd, 
103.315 (1:27.809).
9. Terry Borcheller, Phoenix; Franz Konrad, Germany; Saleen S7R, 
98.511 (1:32.091).
10. Niclas Jonsson, Sweden; Bill Auberlen, Hermosa Beach, Calif.; BMW M3 GTR, 
97.123 (1:33.407).
11. Hans Stuck, Austria; Boris Said, Carlsbad, Calif.; BMW M3 GTR, 
95.165 (1:33.776).
12. Andy Pilgrim, Aventura, Fla.; Kelly Collins, Corona del Mar, Calif.; Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, 
96.532 (1:33.979).
13. JJ Lehto, Finland; Jorg Muller, Germany; BMW M3 GTR, 
95.921 (1:34.578).
14. Dirk Muller, Germany; Fredrik Ekblom, Sweden; BMW M3 GTR, 
95.165 (1:35.329).
15. Lucas Luhr, Germany; Sascha Maassen, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 
94.726 (1:35.771).
16. Kevin Buckler, Sonoma, Calif.; Tyler McQuarrie, Walnut Creek, Calif.; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 
93.560 (1:36.964).
17. Jeff Altenburg, Cantonsville, Md.; Shane Lewis, Jupiter, Fla.; Mike Silcox, Indianapolis; Dodge Viper GTS-R, 
93.437 (1:37.092).
18. Randy Pobst, Melbourne, Fla.; Christian Menzel, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 
93.409 (1:37.121).
19. Tom Weickardt, Whitefish Bay, Wis.; Gene Martindale, Vincennes, Ind.; Dana Brewer, San Diego; Dodge Viper GTS-R, 
92.626 (1:37.942).
20. Vic Rice, San Rafael, Calif.; Robert Orcutt, Santa Cruz, Calif.; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 
89.670 (1:41.171).
21. Kye Wankum, Canada; Jeff Pabst, Canada; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 
89.612 (1:41.236).
22. Phillip Collin, Lincolnshire, Ill.; Tony Burgess, Canada; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 
89.587 (1:41.265).
23. Randy Wars, Mexico; Grady Willingham, Birmingham, Ala.; Porsche 911 GT3 R, 
84.202 (1:47.741).
24. Ron Fellows, Canada; Johnny O'Connell, Flowery Branch, Ga.; Chevrolet Corvette C5-R, 
72.340 (2:05.407).
25. Johnny Herbert, England; Andy Wallace, England; Audi R8, 
no speed.
26. Timo Bernhard, Germany; Johnny Mowlem, England; Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 
no speed.








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