Results of Charlotte ALMS round

[KC]

The BMW V12 LM of JJ Lehto aand Jorg Muller used excellent pit strategy and a gracious yellow flag to make the pass on the leading Panoz of Brabham and Magnussen. Brabham charged after Muller but finished about 7 seconds adrift. The Panoz of Magnussen and Brabham had dominated the race from the start after a bold pass by the Dane entering the narrow chicane. The Audi LMP of Biela was down 2 laps after being struck by the BMW LMP driven by Jean-Marc Gounon when he put two tires on the grass attempting an ill-advised pass. The second Audi LMP fell back after the rear diffuser came loose and fell off reducing its rear downforce by 1/2. In an excellent finish, the Lola B2K Judd V10 of Team Rafanelli took third. The best result this year for the privateer team.

The track is simialr to Daytona in design but on a smaller scale. The chicane on the back straight tested the drives each and every lap to thread the car between the hay bales placed about 2 feet farther apart that the cars were wide.