Following three wins, a second place and two thirds from the opening six races of the 2006 American Le Mans Series, Intersport Lola’s Liz Halliday’s attention now turns to a pivotal stretch of the season as she bids to protect her LMP2 Championship lead.
With four races remain, Halliday and her co-drivers, Jon and Clint Field, are just five points ahead of Lucas Luhr and Sascha Maassen in the mighty Penske Porsche. Halliday, who recently became the most successful female ALMS driver ever and is also currently one of the world’s most renowned equestrian stars, looks back at the season so far and what the remainder of the year holds.
Q:
All in all, are you happy with how the first portion of the season has unfolded for you and the team?
LH:
“By and large, yes. Getting the LMP2 win at Sebring was a huge confidence-builder for all of us. Winning that race over the 12-hour period proved that our car had the durability you need to win out here.”
Q:
At the end of 2005, Porsche debuted a pair of LMP2 cars with Roger Penske managing the team. What was your initial reaction?
LH:
“The more top-of-the-line manufacturers we can attract into the Series, the better it is for all of us. We knew from the start that we could not match up to either of their cars in terms of flat-out speed. Where we could compete, however, was in our ability to finish races.”
Q:
The Penske cars have won an overall race [Mid-Ohio] and led in several others, and some feel it is the equivalent of an LMP1 car?
LH:
“I would not want to speak for them, but their stated goal has been to win as many LMP2 victories as they can, and I think they are sincere in that belief. Lucas [Luhr] and Sascha [Maassen] are both champion drivers. They are tough to beat no matter what car they might be in.”
Q:
You ended July with a come-from-behind win at Portland. Explain how it came about?
LH:
“Both Porsches showed early speed. But the #6 car got tangled up with Duncan Dayton’s prototype and needed extensive repairs. That allowed us to move up to second position. Then, with about 15 minutes to go in the race, the #7 blew its engine and now it was up to us to take advantage.”
Q:
When Luhr’s #7 went out, you were in the car. What did the team tell you on the radio?
