Le Mans-Frankl Preview

Subj:  LE MANS-FRANKL PREVIEW		Section: F-1/Internat'l News
  To:  All				Saturday, June 15, 1996 8:30:27 AM
From:  RIS-Michael Hollander, 76703,771	#819444

Le Mans set for Blistering race of Endurance
	 by Nicholas Frankl,
	TACH European Bureau
	(Copyright 1996 by The Auto Channel - Reprinted by permission - Further reproduction 
prohibited)
            The 64th running of the 24hours of Le Mans will start tomorrow (Saturday) at the unusual 
time of 3pm. This race chronocalled so brilliantly by the Steve McQueen film of the same name 
has been won by all the greatest names in motor racing and ranks, along side the Indy 500 and 
the Monte-Carlo GP as one of THE races to drive.

	This year sees a return of the big names in factory backed teams. Porsche have their 
brand new GT1 car, that has been so hastily developed in Weissach since the board gave the go 
ahead last  July, it only ran for the first time in March. The target is simply; to beat McLaren! 
Piloted by some of the best known drivers in the world of F1 and sport cars, including Yannik 
Dalmas, Karl Wendlinger, Hans Stuck and Thierry Boutson, the $1.5m cars will start from the 3rd 
and 4th rows of the grid.

	Ferrari are back too, under the pretence of "Racing for Belgium". Eric Vandepoele in the 
333SP was provisionally fastest yesterday but will now start from 3rd spot, behind the Courage 
C36 o Cottaz/Policand/Alliot. Qualifying was fairly uneventful, the highlight for me being able to get 
down to the Mulsanne straight and stand five feet off the barrier as the cars screamed past at over 
200mph. I've had many wonderful motor racing experiences, Casino Square and Senna are full 
chat, Eau Rouge, the opening lap at Donnington '93, but I don't think I'll ever forget my first walk 
down the Mulsanne at night. Brilliant clear sky, stars winking and cars blasting by - so close that I 
could see the back of the 911 engine glowing
                                 red as it disappeared into the distance.
                                 Pole was finally taken in the last few
                                 moments by the Porsche TWR WSC. It's a
                                 mouth full and also bloody quick.
                                 Strangled at birth last year, the Joest
                                 team, who have won here twice before, are
                                 now running the car with Michele
                                 Alboreto, Manuel Reuter and Pierluigi
                                 Martini at the helm. It's really a 962
                                 for the '90s.

                                      After 6 State side victories and the
                                 Daytona and Sebring double, Riley & Scott
                                 are here flying the Star Spangled Banner.
                                 Qualified in 7th, the car was said to be
                                 "not right for Le Mans" but with proven
                                 reliability the car could well be there
                                 at the end and starts just behind the
                                 second of the TWR Joest Porsches.

                                      The top McLaren is the BMW supported
                                 Fina backed squad with Laffite/Steve
                                 Soper/ and Duez. The new '96 spec cars
                                 have been running much better that the
                                 '95s of Harrods Racing who once again
                                 have Andy Wallace and Grouillard and not
                                 to mention 5 time winner Derek Bell. "I
                                 know this place so well it doesn't seem
                                 that I actually ever leave it. It's my
                                 second home and just competing again is
                                 great. I don't know if a 6th win is on
                                 the cards, I think it will be won or lost
                                 in the pits" He'll have his work cut out
                                 for him as the team, along with the GT
                                 Champion West McLaren, are starting way
                                 back in 23rd and 24th place.

                                      Another great name back for a bit of
                                 a thrash is one Mario Andretti. Teamed up
                                 once again with the Courage C36, the car
                                 he broke last year and still finished 2nd
                                 in, and with the formidable duo of Jan
                                 Lammers and Derek Warwick. They will
                                 start from 9th and are certainly one of
                                 the favourites.

	New to the scene (and most welcome I might add) is the Chrysler Viper GTS-R! No less 
than four cars are entered with two different teams, one American and one French. No guessing 
as to who cooks for both. Helary/Gache/Beretta lead the pack starting from 27th, with the Cobb 
car on 30th, Cudini in 33rd and my mate Justin Bell down in 44th. Whilst stuffing some pasta 
down Justin explained how he had taken delivery of a brand new Grand Cherokee on Monday to 
drive down in. Problem was that on their way home from the track on Wednesday he rolled it in a 
ditch and onto it's roof. I don't know
                                 what was more embarrassing, rolling at
                                 only 15 mph or having all your team mates
                                 sat in the back watching and rolling
                                 around laughing!

	The best Gismo award goes to the Oreca bunch. Apparently when you get stranded out 
on the Mulsanne the radio don't work and the team can't send any mechanics out to help. The 
solution has been found in the shape of a mobile phone strapped to the roll cage and a map with 
numbers on all the race sections, so the driver can simply call for help and send for the cavalry!
	It should be a hell of a weekend and best of all, for us writers anyway, is that the rain is 
staying away. It'll be a microwave in the cockpits mind.
	Stay tuned over the 24 hours and I'll try to keep you up with then latest gossip and 
reports, but be patient, it's a long race.