PR-Team Viper
Subj: PR-TEAM VIPER Section: F-1/Internat'l News
To: ALL Saturday, June 15, 1996 4:31:14 PM
From: Canaska/Adenalin, 102256,260 #819668
PR-Canaska/Southwind Motorsport
24 Hours of Le Mans Update -- HOURS 5 to 8
CANASKA/SOUTHWIND'S VIPERS CONTINUE THEIR COURSE AT LE MANS --
Canaska/Southwind Motorsport's two Chrysler Viper GTS-R's continue to run a strong, consistent
pace through the first third of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Both Vipers #48 and #49 have improved their positioning from the four-hour point: #48 is running
10th in GT1 class and 18th overall with a best lap time of 4:04.738, and a top lap speed of
200.051 km/h. Meanwhile #49 is running 17th in GT1 class and 29th overall with a best lap time
of 4:05.109 and a top lap speed of 199.748 km/h.
QUOTES:
NEIL HANNEMANN, PROGRAM MANAGER, VIPER GTS-R, CHRYSLER CORPORATION --
"We have had few problems with the Canaska cars, but otherwise they have been running real
good. We believe that the engine can take a lot of abuse if it needs to and we look set to achieve
a top ten finish, which is what we originally hoped to do. One of the cars, the number 48 is
running in 18th position overall, 10th in GT1, which is the highest we have been all day, so things
are looking pretty good for the Vipers at Le Mans."
CHARLIE COOK, TEAM CO-OWNER AND MANAGER -- "We have only had minor problems so
far, with the ignition, fuel system and so on. These are problems you expect, but hope to avoid,
when developing a racing car. They are little gremlilns which we are working out. We also had
some bad luck with our puncture and that cost us two laps. As long as they are small problems
which we can sort out, then we are not doing badly in our first year here at Le Mans."
VICTOR SIFTON, TEAM CO-OWNER AND DRIVER #49 -- "The car is fine. The temperatures are
remaining stable, and I am so comfortable that I was tempted to do a third stint. My only problem
during the stint was when the car in front of me on the straight up to Indianapolis put two wheels
on the dirt and sent up a gigantic cloud of dust which created colors of the rainbow against the
sunset. It was like driving in NASCAR!"
