José Ibañez was all smiles after qualifying during the VdeV meeting at Magny-Cours.  He had himself signed the fourth quickest time in the Norma IRS No. 3 in Endurance-Info colours, while the younger trio of Delafosse-Delpierre-Santamato were just behind their boss, in fifth place behind the wheel of a 2007 Norma.  The drivers of this Norma No. 90 are by far the youngest in the field, aged 17, 18 and 21 years old, respectively.

Recall that José Ibañez will leave Monday with his teammate from Magny Cours to Japan for the two Asian Le Mans Series races at Okayama the 31st of October and 1st of November.  José is very motivated to secure an invitation for the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans.  He said he will keep the Courage LC75 next year, but will be using a Judd powerplant instead of the AER engine. In addition, he will probably acquire the evolution kit ORECA in order make the LC75 more competitive.

Rainier Ehrhard and Claude Foubert