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A1-Ring

26/08/2001

A1-Ring

Preview

Unpredictable business, this motor racing game, isn't it? One prominent team owner was very aware of the potential Larbre challenge for 2001 GT honours, but even in his darkest moments, he couldn't have predicted the story so far.

Bouchut and Belloc have finished second, first, second, first, first, second and first in the seven events so far - a record to make even a certain open-wheeled World Champion look a little second rate. The really odd thing is that Larbre went off to Le Mans and had a nightmare, yet at Spa for the 24 Hours, they had (another) dream come true. Also rather oddly, the Larbre Viper has carried a mass of ballast for much of the season and has been hampered by an apparent down on power engine for a couple of races.

That certain team owner is entitled to feel disappointed that other teams haven't taken more points away from Larbre - when Larbre haven't won, only Lister Storm Racing have, with the exception of the lone Hezemans win at the last (conventional length) round. How different things could have been had Mike Hezemans strted the year with a race winner.

The result of all this is that the 2000 pace setters are treating the last four races as a chance to really show what a Lister can do. Win all four? It's possible, and if it happens, the final table will more fairly reflect the balance of performance this year. The #2 car is always likely to score a very good finish too.

Can Larbre finish all 11 races (in first or second place) with the Viper? That would be an extraordinary record.

Only two Belmondo Vipers this time after the excesses of Spa, while GLPK have chosen to go to Zolder for the 24 Hour Belcar event. Rafanelli seem to be struggling to have two 550s present, and Wieth are absent again, so perhaps the Prodrive 550 Maranello will step up as a potential race winner in red.

Listers run a third car for the first time - on Dunlops - and Jean-Pierre Jarier seems to like it. It does make you wonder why Vipers are so variable though. What could Jarier have achieved in a Larbre car? Oh well, Laurence Pearce gains a customer.

Luca Riccitelli has cause to thank the organisers for that 20 point offering at Spa. Suddenly, the surprise-of-the-season Ferrari 360 drivers (Terrien and Pescatori) have gone from N-GT Championship leaders to 14 points adrift. With Dieter Quester missing two races, Riccitelli will either be the sole Champion, or the two little French demons will overhaul him - no other outcome looks likely. All three would be worthy champions. Can the (almost) lone Ferrari beat the Porsche masses?