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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">18/12/2000</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Olive Garden Lola</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">Improvements For Adelaide</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><img border="1" src="Storage/LolaaideAME.jpg"></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2"> “After so many good times together, she seems to have abandoned me this year,” explains Gabriele Rafanelli.<BR> <BR> Who’s that then? Is this the story of a motorsport romance gone wrong? No, not really, just an Italian entrant wondering why Lady Luck has temporarily abandoned him. “It seems as though I have had seven years bad luck, just since the beginning of this season. I won’t back off though…..even this late in the year, we have a few tricks up our sleeve for the fans in Adelaide.”<BR> <BR> New front and rear diffusers have been fitted for extra downforce on the street track, while “a new engine configuration”, developed in association with Engine Developments, is expected to be a benefit on the tight course.<BR> <BR> The Rafanelli / Olive Garden approach to the last race of the year is in marked contrast to one (former entrant) in the ALMS. “Olive Garden is showing real sportsmanship encouraging us as independents to keep up the fight against the factory teams in Adelaide,” continues Rafanelli. “We will not be happy unless we make it to the podium again.”<BR> <BR> It is this enthusiasm that helps gather support for the team. Pole position at Silverstone was a massive achievement, the Lola sitting proudly ahead of the factory cars from Panoz, BMW, Audi and DAMS-Cadillac. But for a broken throttle cable in the race, that could have led to a magical result for the Italians.<BR> <BR> Perhaps the ex-F1 track at Adelaide will suit the car, as Silverstone did. Whether it does or not, the Lola and its three drivers will provide the spark that racing needs. Colour, romance, an unusual sponsor, a character at the helm, quick drivers – this team has the lot. It’s time that Lady Luck came to find them again.<BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>