PR-Viper at Le Mans#4

Subj:  PR-VIPER AT LE MANS #4		Section: F-1/Internat'l News
  To:  ALL				Saturday, June 15, 1996 11:49:18 PM
From:  Canaska/Adenalin, 102256,260	#819869

CANASKA/SOUTHWIND'S VIPER #48 CRACKS THE TOP 10 AT LE MANS -- 
Canaska/Southwind Motorsport's Viper #48 has climbed to 8th in GT1 class and 10th overall, at 
the sixteenth hour of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Driven by Price Cobb, Mark Dismore and Shawn Hendricks, Viper #48  gradually improved its 
position while those around it have fallen out of or back in the race.   Pit stops during this period 
have been routine for #49:  tire changes, fuel re-filling and driver changes.

VIPER #49 SUFFERS TIRE BLOW OUTS -- Viper #49 has experienced two more tire blow outs in 
this time period, to add to the tire puncture during the fourth hour of the race.  The second of the 
two situations, caused by debris on the track, forced the car to hit a barrier on the Mulsanne 
Straight. At this time, it is still making is way, slowly, back to the pits to determine the extent of 
the damage.
Until that point Viper #49 was sitting 14th in class and 25th overall and was still experiencing 
nagging problems, as has been the case throughout the race so far.

QUOTES:
VICTOR SIFTON, TEAM CO-OWNER AND DRIVER #49 -- "It was between the first and second 
chicanes on the Mulsanne when the right rear tire let go without warning.  It must have been 
debris on the track because someone spun right behind me seconds later with a puncture.  I 
thought I'd be able to hold it, but it started fishtailing and, at that speed, you just can't hold it.  I 
aimed for the softest part of the track to land in on ... Eventually it spun around and I brushed the 
right side down the armco.  Most of the damage seems to be to the right rear when the tire let 
go." 

CHARLIE COOK, TEAM CO-OWNER AND MANAGER -- "We've gained a lot of places during the 
night.  We were not intending to run on a front-running pace.  Those cars that are ten seconds 
back from the leaders are often the cars that cross the finish line at the end of the 24 hours and to 
finish was our general plan.  At this point, we are on target for a top-ten finish and if that happens, 
I will be very satisfied with the result of the GTS-R's first run at Le Mans."

MARK DISMORE, DRIVER #48 -- "The tires are going off toward the end of the run so you have to 
be careful out there.  We're braking a little bit earlier than usual to save the brakes and make sure 
that rear brake heat doesn't adversely affect the wheel bearings."


For more Viper at Le Mans information, visit Canaska/Southwind's website at www.canaska.com.