Elgaard predicts close fight in LMP2

Casper Elgaard is expecting a close fight for LMP2 class honours in this weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours after claiming a narrow pole position for the Team Essex Porsche RS Spyder

Steven English Jun 12, 2009, 8:51 AM

The Dane edged out the Team Goh Porsche of Seiji Ara, Keisuke Kunimoto and Sascha Maassen by just 0.082s on his best qualifying lap, and the two cars are four seconds clear of all their class rivals.

Elgaard finished second in LMP2 last year alongside Maassen and John Nielsen on Team Essex's debut and is confident that he, Emmanuel Collard and Kristian Poulsen can challenge for class honours this weekend.

"It wasn't planned that qualifying should be that close, but it was great," Elgaard said. "I had a couple of runs that were quicker, but unfortunately I hit traffic in the Porsche Curves on both occasions. But it was still enough and I'm really happy to give Team Essex its first pole at Le Mans.

"We're definitely going to have a close race with Team Goh, we know that. We came here as a rookie team at Le Mans last year and finished second. This year we want to do one better."