New Lola gets thumbs-up

Weaver posted the fifth fastest time of the week's session with a lap of 1:50.359, three seconds behind the test-topping new Audi R10 LMP1 car.

Weaver was pleased with the car's performance compared with last year's Lola EX257/AER.

"Straight out of the box, it is easier to drive and doesn't have any vices," Weaver said. "The engine makes good power at the top end and the car is good over the bumps.

"We have some new Penske shock absorbers this year.  We have always used Penske shocks but we have a derivative of the dampers that McLaren and Renault used in Formula One on our car and the initial reaction is that it is a definite step forward."

The car was finished for the test following a race against time after the official test session was scheduled earlier than the team were planning.

"When ALMS announced this date a couple of months ago, we were looking at a late January delivery and Lola and AER stepped up and answered the call when we said we would like to make this event," said teammate Chris Dyson.

"The car was flown here from England and arrived here Friday afternoon. It did not turn a wheel until this test.  It was a very sleep-deprived weekend for the boys. It has been a big push, but thankfully the car was delivered as we expected.  We are lucky that we are dealing with two companies like Lola and AER that are small, nimble and responsive.

"Compared to the old car, it changes directions much better, it is easier to drive, the aerodynamics are much more benign and it is not as sensitive to ride height as the old car."