Range Rover

Monterey Ca, (October 9, 2009) – Gil de Ferran started his weekend as he would
like to continue with a stunning pole position in readiness for the tenth and
final round of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca tomorrow (Saturday
10th October).



The Brazilian driver and team owner of de Ferran Motorsports could not contain
his delight with his third (and his team's fifth) pole of the season.



"This is obviously a very special weekend for me as it is my final race," said
Gil. "I have tried not to focus on this when I'm in the car and just think about
getting the most out of the Acura and keeping my eye on the ball. It is not easy
particularly with the special white livery for this race and the presence of Jim
Hall who we are honoring this weekend. But I did it and it leaves a good taste
in my mouth for an hour or so; then I have a four hour race tomorrow to think
about!"

It was not an easy ride to pole for de Ferran. He was hounded all the way by his
championship rival and driver of the sister Acura, David Brabham, who was just
0.092 off de Ferran's pole time of 1.11.206 (itself a fraction off the track's
class record of 1.11.175). The car was not perfect and de Ferran feels there is
still more to come.



"We've been struggling with the handling all weekend," said Gil. "We have gone
in lots of different directions to try and solve the problem and we made a big
change just before qualifying which seemed to improve things. But it is still
not perfect. We had understeer in turns three, four, five and six so I was
throwing the car into a slide just like a go-kart. It was kind of fun but we did
have a few anxious moments at the end. But I have the pole and that is great. It
is also consistent with other big moments in my career: I was on pole in my last
ever IRL race in Texas and I went on to win that one. So I am heading in the
right direction!"

The whole weekend has also been well documented as a tribute weekend to Jim Hall
and his iconic Chaparral marque. The media and fans were wowed by the sparkling
one-off livery of the No. 66 XM Radio de Ferran Motorsports Acura ARX-02a when
it was unveiled by Jim and Gil yesterday (Thursday). With half an eye on his
past – de Ferran won his first ever IndyCar race with Hall at Laguna Seca – the
present is very much at the forefront of Gil's young team. With the chance of
championship honors still very real, tomorrow's race represents one of de Ferran
and his super-quick team mate, Simon Pagenaud's greatest challenges.

"It is still anyone's race," said Gil, "and the championship is up for grabs. I
would dearly love to win my last ever race as a professional driver but I won't
drive differently. I pride myself in being a rational person and I believe
whether you are racing for a million dollars or one cent you just have to give
it your best and that is what both Simon and I will be doing tomorrow."



Simon Pagenaud will start tomorrow's four hour race. Gil has been named Grand
Marshal of the race by the Laguna Seca organizers and he will be asking the
drivers to 'start their engines', but there is also another good reason why Gil
would like Simon to take the green flag...."I want to be the first person to see
the chequered flag in my last race!" grinned de Ferran.

The Monterey Sports Car Championship Presented by Patrón is scheduled to start
at 14.25pm (Pacific Time) tomorrow (Saturday 10th October). It will be televised
in the US on Speed TV on Sunday 11th October (tape delayed) at 14.30 (Eastern
Time) and in Europe on Motors TV on Sunday 18th October (tape delayed) between
17.00 and 21:00.

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