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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">FIA SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">06/04/2001</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Friday Testing</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">At Barcelona</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"> <BR> With an upsurge in the ambient temperature here at the Circuit de Catalunya, times proved significantly slower than yesterday, but despite this there was still plenty of incident during the three one-hour sessions.<BR> <BR> With the Scuderia Italia Ferrari of Pescatori and Zadra trading times with the Ascari (a broken driveshaft in the first session) in the 1:36 bracket, other interest focussed on the new boys in the shape of the two Domes, the Courage C60, the Ferrari Judd and the Reynard of Redman Bright.<BR> <BR> It proved to be a day of mixed fortunes for the the new Japanese constructor as the Dutch example of Jan Lammers and Val Hillebrand played itself in gently and despite a couple of new-car niggles, were more than happy to get a base set up which they will hone tomorrow. It was a different story for John Nielsen's Den Bla Avis team whose place in the race is under threat after Hiroki Katoh crashed at the long Seat Corner. The former Panoz driver happened upon an as yet unidentified SR2 car and was bundled of the track and in to the barriers. The damage looked superficial but Team Manager Karl Patman reported that the rear wing strut had been snapped. The team are working flat out to replace the support and a decision on whether they will race is to be taken this evening.<BR> <BR> Redman Bright continued to put miles on the 01Q, whilst the Ferrari Judd of Lavaggi and Christian Vann undertook their first lappery. Team boss Achim Stroth was satisfied with their first foray. "We are more than happy with today's performance. We had only actually fired up the engine once before we arrived here, and to have no real problems with the electrics bodes well for the rest of the weekend."<BR> <BR> The Courage C60 of 'Jules' Boullion and Sebastian Bourdais also had their first running and 'Jules' had the bit between his teeth in the third and final session. "We had a lot of delays in getting equipment back from the Sebring race, but we are making good progress with the chassis and the engine, and I think that we have a chance of a podium for the race on Sunday."<BR> <BR> It's not often you see a glum Gary Formato, but that has been the case for the last two days. The 26 year old was not happy with a litany of problems that covered chassis and engine woes. The R&M team though are confident that come qualifying tomorrow, solutions can be found.<BR> <BR> In SR2, the Swedish Lola just outpaced the Rowan Racing Pilbeam, after the latter suffered an engine failure at the end of the second session. Martin O'Connell was philosophical about the failure; "Obviously we could have done without that, but we've got a reasonable set up and both Warren and I are comfortable with the track, so with some more running in Free Practice tomorrow, we will be in good shape."<BR> <BR> A host of Lucchinis, Tampollis and the improved Debora of Bruneau, Rostan and 'Little Art' were some way back, and all seem to be destined to fight for third place this weekend.<BR> <BR> Sam Smith<BR> <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>