Pirelli three-peats in P2 Class at Mid-Ohio

Clint Field Leads His Intersport Team to Third-Straight Podium of Season Lexington, Ohio, June 27, 2004 Fresh from his victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans two weeks ago, Clint Field drove his Intersport Racing Lola B2K/Judd to a P2-class win at his home track of Mid-Ohio today. Fields second-straight victory made Pirelli three for three in the baby prototype class as the Pirelli-shod Miracle Motorsports Lola earned a hard fought win in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) opening round at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. It was also the third-straight podium for the new Lola, Fields second career victory and Scottish co-driver Robin Liddells first career win in the ALMS. Liddell also set the fastest lap in class during the race. Mid-Ohio was also the scene of some exciting racing in the GTS and GT classes with the debuts of the Pirelli-shod Panoz Esperante and Lamborghini Murcielagos. David Saelens and Gunnar Jeannette stunned the dominant Porsche GT field by qualifying second and racing for first before an accident and a broken half shaft ended their day too early. Terry Borcheller and Johnny Mowlem showed that the recent testing and continued development of the ACEMCO Motorsports Saleen S7R was worthwhile as they kept the early pace with the dominant factory Corvettes only to drop back with mechanical problems mid-race. This left the door open slightly for the new Lamborghini Murcielago driven by David Brabham and Peter Kox. Only a day earlier, the sister Lambo was severely damaged in an accident with a spinning Porsche and had to be withdrawn. Both Lambos of Krohn-Barbour Racing had just arrived from Germany and had not turned a wheel until Fridays afternoon practice. The end proved exciting, though, as the Saleen and Lamborghini battled nose-to-tail for the last half hour of the race with the Saleen S7R nipping the beautiful new Murcielago at the checkered flag for third place on the GTS podium and first place for privateers. Field will have only moments to savor his victory as he and the Intersport crew will begin preparations for the third round of the ALMS calendar set for Monday, July 5, at Connecticuts Lime Rock circuit. The race will be televised live on the Speed Channel from 4-6 p.m. (EDT). Race fans can also listen to live coverage of the race on the ALMS radio web at www.americanlemans.com.