98 WheelsMag.com.au
Oz Le Mans
There were two Aussies on
the grid for this year’s 24
Hours. Mark Webber was
at the sharp end in the
#1 Porsche 919, and Ryan
Briscoe was the man who
qualified the #69 Ford GT
second in class.
This was 34-year-old
Indycar veteran Briscoe’s
third time at Le Mans, and
he’s still getting used to the
need to share. “I’m pretty
new to endurance racing;
it’s hard to get used to
having teammates in the
car,” he told Wheels before
the race started. “My whole
career has been in single-
seaters – if you’re not in the
car, it’s not running.
“Le Mans is such a long
track that it’s quite normal
to have wet and dry parts
at the same time. It’s one
of those tracks you have
to respect. I compare it to
Indianapolis; you have to
hold a high level of regard
and not get too cocky
out there. It will bite
you quickly.”
Webber retired, but
Briscoe and teammates
Kiwi Scott Dixon and Brit
Richard Westbrook put
in a solid performance,
finishing third in class, on
the same lap as the two
leading GTE Pro cars.
“DOESN’T HE KNOW
ONLY DIESELS HAVE
UREA TANKS?”