Just days after receiving new, taller tires, a new front splitter and a modified rear wing, Team Falken Tire proved their strength when they took a gamble in pitlane to ultimately lead the GT class in the final stint in the American Le Mans Monterey Presented by Patron. Ultimately finishing seventh, Falken drivers Bryan Sellers and Wolf Henzler had fans and officials of the American Le Mans Series on their feet at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, providing some of the best on track action of the race.
Bryan Sellers started the race ninth in class, and raced the 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR up the charts with lap times two tenths faster than the BMWs ahead of him. Two hours in. Sellers comfortably held onto fifth position, and soon pitted in third. Henzler rejoined in seventh with a full fuel load and fresh Falken Tire Azenis RT slick tires. The Porsche works driver worked his way up to fifth position before handing the wheel back over to Sellers.
It was under a yellow flag that the team’s progress started to shift. The Porsche was penalized with a stop and go in pit lane for passing under the yellow conditions while pass arounds were happening on track during Henzler’s stint. Despite the team’s strong disapproval with the penalty, they complied, and Sellers rejoined in seventh position in the GT class. “Unfortunately, I think we got cheated by the system a little today,” said Sellers. Not to be deterred, Sellers put down lap times only two tenths away from the class leaders. “From where we started the weekend, to even be in contention when we were was a major gain.” With only two hours to go, Sellers charged his way to fourth in class and advanced to third once the Corvette ahead of him passed.
The real excitement began with less than two hours to go on the clock, Team Falken Tire pitted for tires, fuel and a driver change. Henzler rejoined the field in seventh, and after a short time, gained a position after passing a Ferrari. Another yellow flag came out on course, moving the rest of the GT field to pit for tires and fuel with just an hour to go. Team Manager Derrick Walker and Team Falken Tire took a risky gamble and rolled the dice, and had Henzler pit for fuel only. Media and opposing teams watched in awe as the 17 Porsche pulled away from the pits and reentered the hot track in first position.
Fans and crew alike stared at the TV screens and race track in avid attention as Henzler lead the GT cars to the green flag. Henzler maintained his lead for a short time, but ultimately was passed by a Corvette. “In the beginning it was okay but then I started to lose grip,” Henzler remarked. “One Corvette passed me and I couldn’t follow him.” Television coverage couldn’t pull away from the teal and green Porsche raging in second. Henzler then battled hard and outraced a BMW, Corvette and another BMW as his older tires slowly started to lose their grip. Although he felt the cars behind him would eventually gain ground on him with their fresh tires, Henzler held position with 40 minutes remaining on the clock.
The BMW behind Henzler drove late into Turn 11, making contact with the Porsche Works driver, on the left rear of the Porsche. “I came sideways and lost grip, then had a bad exit,” said Henzler. “He passed me, then the Corvette and the other BMW passed me.” By this time, the Falken Azenis RT slick tires had an extra stint than the competition, and slowly started to lose grip against the competition’s fresher tires. On the final lap, Henzler raced through the white flag as a Ferrari and another Porsche charged from behind. “I was hit again on the left in the last turn and again came sideways, and they both passed on the front straight.” After a race full of extreme highs and frustrating lows, Henzler crossed the finish line in seventh, wrapping up Round 3 of the 2012 American Le Mans Series.
The team has two months off before heading to Lime Rock Park July 6-7 for Round 4, and will use the break to the full advantage by testing later this month at Road Atlanta. “The car may look very similar to last year, but it’s quite a different car in terms of handling,” said Derrick Walker. Although pleased with the performance of the new, taller tire, the team seeks to continue the progress and create a full set of tires to match the needs of the new Porsche. “We got a lot of new parts this weekend to go with the car. As always it’s a combination, so it’s getting the tires to match what this car is now.”
Source : Falken Tire