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Pole position for title favourites in Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

Stuttgart. Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria) are just one point off winning the GT2 class title of the Le Mans Series. In a thrilling qualifying session, Lietz clinched pole position in the 911 GT3 RSR of the German Felbermayr-Proton team and, with this, extended the advantage of the top duo to nine points heading into the season's final 1,000 kilometre race. With a top time of 1:48.638 minutes on the 5.141 kilometre time-honoured circuit, the Austrian relegated their only remaining rival in the championship, the Ferrari F430 GT manned by Gianmaria Bruni and Robert Bell, to second on the grid by 0.192 seconds.

“We're of course very happy with our pole position and another point,“ said a thrilled Richard Lietz. “Although we've always said that pole position is not so important to us, I felt quite nervous and tense today. We are so close to winning the championship and that is a fantastic feeling. But we also know that you can easily be knocked out of contention through no fault of your own.“ His teammate Marc Lieb added: “We are well prepared for the race. Our goal in all practice sessions was to find a good set-up that reliably gets us over the 1,000 kilometre distance. We did manage this. And now to have Richard bring home the top qualifying time is fabulous.“ Heading into the fifth round of the LMS, the two have three wins this season (Barcelona, Spa, Nürburgring) and three pole positions (Spa, Algarve, Silverstone) to their credit.

Rounding off this good result with the third grid position is Porsche works pilot Patrick Pilet (France) at the wheel of his 450 hp 911 fielded by IMSA Performance Matmut. “We're basically pleased with our position,“ claimed Pilet. “Only one and a half tenths of a second separate us from second place, and that means our speed is good. The car felt great right from the first practice session and the configuration is perfect for the race. Having never competed on this circuit before, I've quickly become familiar with it.“ Hobby race driver Raymond Narac already knows the Silverstone circuit and its fast corners, but was able to benefit from the support of his professional teammate. “Patrick shared a few helpful tips about the ideal line with me,“ said the Porsche dealer from Rouen. “After all, we both want to bring home the first win for our team in the Le Mans Series tomorrow. And the competition in the GT2 class is unbelievably strong. We only hope that no over-motivated rival ruins our chance again.“

The trio in the second Felbermayr-Proton 911 GT3 RSR, Christian Ried (Germany), Horst Felbermayr Jnr. (Austria) and Francisco Cruz Martins (Portugal), take up the race from twelfth on the grid. The English Porsche team, James Watt Automotive, starts from 14th in the GT2 class with drivers Markus Palttala (Finland), Paul Daniels and Martin Rich (both Great Britain).

The final race of the Le Mans Series takes off tomorrow at 11.35 hours local time (12.35 hours CEST) and receives the flag after 195 laps or a maximum of six hours. The TV station “Eurosport“ broadcasts the final live from 11.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs local time (12.30 to 13.30 hrs CEST) and from 16.45 hrs to 17.30 hrs (17.45 to 18.30 hrs CEST).


Result Qualifying GT2 class
1. Richard Lietz (AUT), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1.48.638 minutes
2. Gianmaria Bruni (ITA), Ferrari F430 GT, + 0.192 seconds
3. Patrick Pilet (FRA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.346
4. Jaime Melo (BRA), Ferrari F430 GT, + 0.720
5. Pierre Kaffer (DEU), Ferrari F430 GT, + 0.932
6. Jonny Cocker (GBR), Aston Martin Vantage GT2, + 0.956
7. Andrea Montermini (ITA), Ferrari F430 GT, + 0.974
8. Dominik Farnbacher (DEU), Ferrari F430 GT, + 1.424
9. Tom Coronel (NED), Spyker C8 Laviolette, + 1.704
10. Matt Griffin (GBR), Ferrari F430 GT, + 2.072


Facts and Figures

This is the Le Mans Series

Contested for the first time in 2004, the Le Mans Series (LMS) is open for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations are based on the rules of the Le Mans 24 hour race. Five championship rounds are contested this season on traditional circuits throughout Europe. The races run over a distance of 1,000 kilometres.

The starting field consists of two different sports vehicle categories: Sports prototypes and standard sports cars. They are divided into four classes:

LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 700 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms. Power to weight ratio: approx. 1.3 kg/hp.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with around 440 hp (with normally-aspirated engine) and an 825 kilogram minimum weight. Power to weight ratio: approx 1.8 kg/hp. The Porsche RS Spyder competes in this class.
GT1 class: Heavily modified standard sports cars with up to 650 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms.
GT2 class: Slightly modified standard sports cars with between 450-460 hp and a minimum weight of 1,145 – 1,345 kilograms. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR competes in this class.

All race cars start together but are classified separately according to the class. This system ensures gripping racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only allocated for placings in each class. Championship titles are awarded for drivers, manufacturers and teams in all four classes. Porsche works driver Marc Lieb won the driver’s title in the GT2 class in 2005 and 2006. In 2008, Porsche won the LMP2 titles for driver, manufacturer and team.