Maserati edges ever closer to the Corvettes

Panoz Continues to Threaten Porsches Lexington, Ohio, May 21, 2005 - Only 0.25 seconds separated the two factory Corvettes and the third place #35 Maserati MC12 in qualifying today for Sunday's American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio. For a moment it looked like Maserati might snatch the pole during a final flying lap, but then Fabrizio De Simone pushed just a fraction too hard on the exit from the hairpin, clipped the grass and spun down the back straight, commendably keeping the car on the tarmac and avoiding any damage. The result, though, was four flat-spotted tires which forced Maserati Corse to start from the back of the grid. It could prove to be a great fight through the field for the wailing V12 Maserati. The Pirelli-shod Panoz team also kept some of their momentum going after its Road Atlanta victory by qualifying third and fourth, just behind the leading Porsches of Alex Job and Petersen White Lightning. This time it was the #51 Panoz Esperante's moment to shine as Brian Sellars hustled the V8 machine to within 0.21 seconds of the pole-setting Porsche. The American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio will get the green flag at 12 noon on Sunday, May 22, and will be nationally televised by CBS-TV beginning at 1:00 PM (EDT). The ALMS Radio Web will have live coverage online at www.americanlemans.com. In addition, all ALMS races will again be televised live in Europe in a television arrangement between the series and MotorsTV, a European television channel dedicated to the world of motorsports. More information about Pirelli's motorsport activities, including the Pirelli Girls, can be found at www.pirellicompetizioni.com