Engine problems deny Marino Franchitti ALMS Sebring win

Mar 25 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

MARINO FRANCHITTI had done everything right in preparation for the world-renowned 12-hour Sebring race but engine trouble meant it just wasn’t to be.

The Bathgate driver had helped bag pole position for his team after being selected for the No.1 car which he managed in style, placing it in pole in LMP2 class and fifth overall on the 34-car grid.

His lap time of 1:47 was just 0.054 secs ahead of the second-placed car in LMP2, the No.6 Porsche RS Spyder of Team Cytosport.

Track conditions were perfect for the opening race of the season and Franchitti, who was to take the second stint behind the wheel in the endurance race, was champing at the bit for his leg of the circuit.

The race started well for his teamPatrón Highcroft with team-mate Simon Pagenaud first behind the wheel.

He immediately began pulling a gap to the Porsche RS Spyder, a gap that was to extend to five laps as each of the three Patrón Highcroft drivers cycled through their double-stints.

But just short of nine hours’ racing as Simon Pagenaud brought the car into the pit to change over to Marino, smoke was seen escaping from the dashboard.

The team were immediately on the car and discovered two electrical wires had chaffed and welded themselves together.

It took almost 25 minutes to repair the problem and by the time Marino exited the pit, the Patrón Highcroft car had not only dropped from fourth but to fifth overall, and more importantly to second in class, losing six laps to the No.6 Porsche RS Spyder.

Marino only drove half his stint, having to bring the car back in for David Brabham to get his time behind the wheel to secure the points necessary for a driver competing in all nine races in the 2010 ALMS season.

Ironically the car continued flawlessly, Brabham pitting for the final time with just 45 minutes of the race remaining and handing over to Marino to run to the chequered flag.

The No.1 Patrón Highcroft car made up two of the lost laps, completing 349 laps in total, and finishing fifth overall and second in LMP2 class as well as gathering valuable points for the Championship.

But despite missing out on a win Marino praised the work of the pit crew who he reckons ensured the team finished within the points.

Marino said: “The Patrón Highcroft team were fantastic all day; the pit-stops, the strategy – my team-mates and everyone acted to the best of their abilities which is great to see so early in the season.

“I went to get in the car for my final double stint and noticed smoke and discovered there was a barbecue going on in the passenger side.

“That wasn’t so good but luckily the guys were on it quickly with a fire extinguisher and got it under control.

“The crew did an amazing job to get the car back on track; not only did they fix the problem quickly, but to have every single electrical system perform faultlessly after that was amazing.

“To do that in pit lane, under so much pressure, really shows what this team is all about. It was a fantastic recovery.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get the victory but we scored fantastic points for the championship and our main goal was to come out of here strong.

“We can be very proud of what everybody achieved.”

The second round of the ALMS championship takes place at Long Beach, California next month on Saturday, April 17.