Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team qualifies in 18th for the 24 hours of Le Mans

 Jason Pridmore (USA), Pedro Vallcaneras (ESP) and Steve Mercer (GBR) brought their BMW S 1000 RR of the Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team home on the 18th spot of the grid for the 36th edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans. The trio improved again today (Friday, 20th of September) to better the provisional 20th spot from yesterday to 18th. Thursday evening the night practice session took place under drizzle rain conditions. The Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team just put the compulsory laps in with Pridmore, Vallcaneras and Mercer and opted for not taking any further risks. Just Brit Mercer took the rest of the rainy night session to get to grips with the Circuit Bugatti a bit further. Today’s Qualifyings saw the three Penz13 riders upping the game. With a best Effort of 1:39,569 Minutes Pridmore was the fastest of the trio. But nevertheless, also the other were quick: Vallcaneras put in a best time of 1:40,957 Minutes, Mercer took a 1:40,552. In average this meant a 1:40,359 and the 18th spot on the grid. In the Superstock category - in which the Saxonian team will try to defend it’s world title beginning from tomorrow 3 pm - it took 7th spot. James Rispoli (USA), who joined the team as reserve rider at Le Mans, took the BMW S 1000 RR out on track once more and is qualified for the race, just in case. Jason Pridmore, Rider, 1:39,569 Minutes
„I am happy. The bike is working perfectly and I lowered my personal Le Mans best time further. We are having a good race pace and I am happy and confident. It will be a good race - I hope!” Pedro Vallcaneras, Rider, 1:40,957 Minutes:
„I am really satisfied, the bike is just perfect! It would have been possible to go faster today, but I was stuck in traffic a lot of times. But I know I can go fasters, as I did that last year already.” Steve Mercer, Rider, 1:40,552 Minutes
„The qualifying sessions went really good today, we made quite some big improvements. My last lap could have been faster, it was green in every sector, but then I got held up by two bikes in the final two corners - and still it was my best lap time. Our race pace is good. I am excited, let the games begin! This will be the most important race of my career, as we can get world champions here!”