Ascari At Le Mans QR-4U 14/06/2001   Friday At Le Mans   Preparations for the big day tomorrow began at a wet and cool Le Mans with chief mechanic Derek Draper organising his troops in changing the engine on the Zwart / Pompidou / Maxwell car and the gearbox on the number 20 machine. Draper, who has been with the team since it's inception, explained the activities in the garage on the morning that sees all the teams putting the final touches to the cars, and most replacing qualifying engines with race units: "The gearbox was always going to be changed because we ran it at the final pre Le Mans shakedown at Snetterton last week and it has had a fair mileage now. Our workload has been halved in effect by the engine change we did yesterday, but essentially we still have to check over everything and make sure that both cars are watertight." Team manager Ian Dawson reiterated the team's philosophy after the qualifying sessions and said that morale in the team was as high as it could be: "We got most of what we wanted to do done and all the drivers are reasonably happy with the programme we completed. Obviously we could have done without the engine failure, but we reacted to it in a pragmatic way and you just have to take things like that at Le Mans." However, it transpired later this afternoon that an oil cooler in the radiator had been damaged more than the team had originally thought, and British Formula Three team owner Alan Docking was contacted at his Silverstone headquarters to see if he could muster one up in time for the race tomorrow. If so, then one will be flown out after the 'Doc's' prognosis this evening. If not then the team are not unduly concerned and the original one will be repaired and thoroughly cleaned at the track. Werner Lupberger talked through his fitness regime over the past three months in preparation for the race and believes he is in the best shape he has ever been in: "I have been doing around three hours a day in the gym, working obviously on stamina. Theresa (Werner's wife) has been acting as my fitness instructor which she has actually just qualified to be, so it has all gone well. The only thing I would like is to be able to continue it this week, but we've been running and karting and of course there is nothing better than actually driving to keep the race fitness level up." The team will be having an intensive briefing this evening after the drivers have re-emerged from the parade in the town centre. At the meeting they will be working out everything from driver stints to handovers, plus the all-important race pace that Ian Dawson has settled on. Ascari's Partners at Le Mans Ascari are here of course with many partners, among them the unique QR-4U vitamin supplement drink that is just about to be launched publicly. The brainchild of Eric Llewelyn, a long time mover in the Drinks industry, QR-4U delivers nutrients effectively straight to the cells whenever the body experiences extra demand. When the brain and the body need to perform 100% during an event, all cells need to be able to draw a supply of the various nutrients needed. This is what, through a system called Nutrient Delivery Systems, the QR-4U drink does. This supplement is believed to be the most advanced available because the products in the drink mimic the way nature produces nutrients. This is the way that a body stretched to the limit will be able to recognise, absorb, retain and utilise nutrients. Most other sports drinks do not offer this unique NDC technology and the efficient way that the body absorbs the nutrients. The main benefits of QR-4U are the relief from the potential signs of stress and dehydration thus letting the consumer to sustain a high level of concentration, which is exactly what the drivers in Team Ascari will need during the rigours of the world's greatest race. QR-4U will have a large presence at Le Mans, adorning the sides of the car in a fluorescent flash. Also supporting Ascari will be a host of service industry partners like the UGS software company who are perhaps the world's fastest growing product development application business. One of the leading suppliers of internet based product lifesolutions. With offices in over 30 countries, UGS have created and continue to create unprecedented value to the world's most demanding customers. Harri Toivonen has come to Le Mans backed by Jippii, a British / Finnish company that has developed a unique and simple way of downloading data from a cordless laptop. Also with Team Ascari this weekend is James Melling Ltd, a precision machining company, plus OZ wheels who have developed a monoblock wheel for the A410 and the KZ1 road car which has wowed the crowds outside the hospitality area in the paddock. Official website of the Le Mans 24 Hours Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport