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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">LE MANS</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">26/01/2001</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Michelin Testing</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">Valencia</FONT></B></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"> Michelin’s three day test at Valencia this week was originally going to be the first ‘public’ outing of the Chrysler LMP. However, Oreca postponed their testing after initial problems during the shakedown at Barcelona, leaving the track to Audi, Panoz and the SMG Courage.<BR> <BR> Track conditions were occasionally wet, and ultimate times didn’t seem to be a consideration. The Audi R8 was apparently still three seconds faster than the Panoz LMP07, but Panoz Motor Sports have modifications in hand for the so far ‘alien’ machine. Revised versions of the Zytek 4.0-liter V-8 should be ready for the next Panoz test at Sebring, which is conveniently delayed, therefore allowing David Brabham to drive the Risi Ferrari at Daytona.<BR> <BR> Brabham was the only Panoz man to take the wheel, Jan Magnussen having to sit it out. An overheating gearbox was reportedly a regular hindrance, but there are suggestions that Ricardo in the UK will be supplying a replacement for the current X-trac unit. Testing was prematurely halted when an engine stud broke. <BR> <BR> “With all the things that are coming, our performance will improve <BR> massively,” said Brabham on the ontrackonline.com site <A HREF="http://www. ontrackonline.com">link</A><BR> <BR> The target now seems to be to have the car in truly competitive form by the time of Le Mans. It is anticipated that only one car will run in regular ALMS events this year, with two planned for the endurance races.<BR> Audi had few concerns during the three days.<BR> <BR> Philippe Gache has Michelins on his Courage this year, in place of the Pirellis used in 2000. He allegedly blew a V10 on Tuesday. Jerome Policand also drove.<BR> <BR> Bentley are not using Michelins – they’re on Dunlops, and James Weaver was at Silverstone for two days this week, with the original chassis. No details of that test available.<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>