Bathgate’s Marino Franchitti was denied an overall podium finish in the second round of the American Le Mans Series at St Petersburg in Florida when his Dyson-Mazda suffered a puncture within minutes of the end of the two-hour race.
The 30-year-old Scot, who had qualified fifth on the grid, handed over to his American team-mate Butch Leitzinger on lap 43 of the 1.8-mile street circuit, just past the one hour mark.
Swift work from the pitcrew saw them leapfrog team-mates Chris Dyson and Guy Smith for fourth overall and second in the LMP2 class. Minutes later Franchitti’s car was promoted to third overall when the lead Acura of Gil de Ferran retired.
“I really thought we had our overall podium and second in class,” Franchitti, who clocked the fastest LMP2 lap of 1min 08.789secs, admitted today, “but unfortunately we had a tyre go which lost us time and track position.
“Thankfully Butch managed to nurse the car back to pits where the crew did another terrific job and he was able to get back on track and eventually finish third in LMP2 and fourth overall.
“I’m delighted with the progress we have made since the last round in Sebring and it was very satisfying setting the fastest lap; my thanks go out to Mazda, Lola, Michelin and the whole of the Dyson team.”
The race was won by the LMP1 Acura of Aussie David Brabham and American Scott Sharp. The duo finished 32.150s ahead of the LMP2 Acura of Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz, with Franchitti’s team-mates Dyson and Smith third overall and second in LMP2 class.
JM