Laguna Seca qualifying: Audi 1-2-3
The Panoz of David Brabham and Jan Magnussen has threatened the domination of Audi in recent American Le Mans Series races, but at Laguna Seca in California, normal service was resumed, with the German cars locking out the top three spots in qualifying on Saturday
Rinaldo Capello stopped the clocks at 1m15.238s in his Audi R8, to ensure that himself and team mate Tom Kristensen are in prime position for Sunday's 2hour 45minute race.
The second works Audi of Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro was beaten to the second spot on the grid by the Gulf-backed Audi of Stefan Johansson and Patrick Lemarie, the ELMS title winners. Johansson's fastest lap was seventh tenths slower than Capello's, but, crucially, two tenths faster than Biela, who had to settle for third.
Magnussen led the Panoz charge to finish the session fourth fastest, just ahead of the second Panoz, driven by Franck Lagorce and Klaus Graf. British duo Andy Wallace and Johnny Herbert rounded out the top six in the Champion Audi R8.
Didier de Radigues nabbed the LMP 675 pole in the Dick Barbour Racing Reynard-Judd and GTS honours went to the Saleen of Terry Borcheller and Franz Konrad.
The battle of the GTs went BMW's way, with JJ Lehto just pipping Dirk Muller to the class pole. Sascha Maassen was the fastest of the Porsche runners, two tenths back from Lehto's benchmark time.
Tom Kristensen/Rinaldo Capello, Audi R8, 1m15.238s
Stefan Johansson/Patrick Lemarie Audi R8, 1m15.953
Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro, Audi R8 1m16.029s
David Brabham/Jan Magnussen Panoz LMP1-RS, 1m16.104s
Klaus Graf/Franck Lagorce, Panoz LMP1-RS, 1m16.156s
Johnny Herbert/Andy Wallace, Audi R8 1m16.463s
Wayne Taylor/Max Angelelli, Cadillac LMP 01, 1m17.479s
Emmanuel Collard/Christophe Tinseau, Cadillac LMP 01 1m17.979s
Jon Field/Joel Field/Clint Field Lola B2K 10B-Judd, 1m18.927s
LMP 675 Didier de Radigues/Bruno Lambert, Reynard 01Q-Judd, 1m19.706s
Terry Borcheller/Franz Konrad, Saleen SR, 1m22.986s
JJ Lehto/Jorg Muller BMW Motorsport BMW M3 GTR 1m26.265s
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