Sears Point Raceway 2002 - 19/05/2002   19/05/2002 Herbert lets go of dream   American Le Mans Series star Johnny Herbert has decided to withdraw from the Indianapolis 500 in order to be able to compete in today's Grand Prix of Sonoma presented by Fosters at Sears Point Raceway. Herbert will co-drive the polesitting Champion Audi R8 with Tom Kristensen and Andy Wallace at Sears Point. Kristensen placed the car on the pole in yesterday's qualifying, making Champion the first non-factory racing team to win a pole in the ALMS since 2000. Herbert said he was unable to secure a private aircraft with sufficient range and speed to allow the Indy/Sears Point double that he was going to attempt today. He was to try and qualify at Indianapolis Motor Speedway shortly after 12 noon and then fly to California to drive the Champion car in the final stint of the race. "I'm tremendously disappointed not to have the opportunity to put the Western Union Speed Team car on the starting grid for this year's Indy 500," said Herbert. "It's been a lifelong ambition to compete at Indy and when I finally get here I'm faced with about the only obstacle that could prevent me from achieving my goal. Unfortunately, the time frame available to accomplish both feats is just too tight to make work." Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport