#85 PORSCHE 996 GT3-RSR YUKOS FREISINGER

Stéphane Ortelli (MC)

Ralf Kelleners (D)

Roland Dumas (F)

RACE FACTS - At Le Mans Freisinger shows with two cars, the #85 of Ortelli/Kelleners/Dumas - earlier successful at the Monza 1,000-kms where Ortelli/Dumas won the GT class, finishing 11th overall - being the fastest. On the grid the car is 32nd, in its class preceeded by the Petersen/Withe Lightning #90 Porsche, by the JMB Ferrari 360 Modena and by the Orbit Racing #87 BAM Porsche. After the Modena's disastrous start Ortelli moves immediately into third position within the GT class.  During the third hour Ralf Kelleners can pass the BAM Porsche so that the Yukos #85 is now second in GT. It improves steadily its position, being already 16th after 6 hours, but one lap and 1'59" behind the class leading #90 Petersen/White Lihtning Porsche. At midnight, after eight hours of racing, the difference between the two class leaders remains nearly unchanged. When at 02.20h the GT leading Porsche has sequential gear troubles, the Yukos Porsche takes the class lead, more than two complete laps ahead over the American #90 Porsche.
03.22h - Kelleners slows dramatically at the Dunlop chicane in the GT class leading Porsche. He stops beyond the bridge but immediately restarts. He guesses electrical problems, but maintains the lead. At mid-race the car is 14th overall, now three laps ahead over the #90 (being not the most popular among journalists, due to its boastful press releases). During the following hours the Orbit Racing #87 Porsche, in hands of Rockenfeller and Lieb, can pass the #90 Petersen/White Lightning Porsche and is purchasing the Yukos, until their car has to retire after gearbox problems. After 18 hours of racing the car is 13th, always three laps ahead over the American Porsche.
With less than four hours to go, the Yukos Freisinger Porsche suffers at once from oil feed problems, loosing twenty minutes in the pits, so that the #90 Petersen/White Lightning Porsche can undo its three laps arear to win the GT class. The Yukos Porsche is even passed by the #77 Choroq Porsche, finishing 13th overall and third in the GT class, six laps down to the lucky American Porsche.