Privateer Lola stuns works teams

The privateer Lola of the Rafanelli team shocked the ALMS paddock this afternoon by claiming provisional pole for the European Le Mans Series round at Silverstone. Panoz looked to be the quickest team, but Mimmo Schiateralla put in a storming lap at the end of the session to go fastest

May 12, 2000, 2:48 PM

The Panoz of Jan Magnussen and David Brabham had looked strong all afternoon, but was only able to secure second after the Rafanelli car's impressive performance. The second Panoz of Johnny O'Connell and Katoh was third.

The top Audi was the Allan McNish car. The Scotsman held provisional pole for a time before the Panoz and Lola cars moved it out of reach for the 1999 vintage R8R.

The Sebring winning crew of Frank Biela and Emmanuele Pirro was beaten into being second Audi unusually, aided by McNish's local knowledge.

A further surprise was the Riley and Scott of the Pole team, who managed to qualify the ageing chassis ahead of the BMW of JJ Lehto and the works Cadillac prototypes.

GTS provisional pole was taken by ORECA and the Dodge Viper, unchallenged in the absence of the GM-entered Corvettes.

Fastest GT car was the Dick Barbour run Porsche 911 GT3R.

For full times and qualifying notes see separate stories.