Perry McCarthy is hoping seat adjustments will make his second Le Mans qualifying stint happier this evening.

The Billericay driver was unhappy with his performance during last night's opening session at the French circuit.

But he was pleased that co-driver Frank Biela turned in the third-fastest time to put the Audi Sport UK R8 sports car provisionally on the front row of the grid.

"Frankie did a fantastic job for the team but it wasn't a particularly good night for me personally," said McCarthy, 41.

"I wasn't comfortable in the car, which obviously affected my driving and I couldn't get in to a rhythm. The team will alter my seat and that should make me much happier."

German three-time Le Mans winner Biela clocked 3:37.076 for the Audi Sport UK team.

Biela and McCarthy's co-driver Mika Salo was satisfied with his performance as it was the first time the Finnish Le Mans debutant driven the car in the dark.

Essex-born Johnny Herbert, Mark Blundell and David Brabham's Bentley Speed 8 was second fastest with 3:35.222 but the British firm's other car clocked a 3:32.843 with Tom Kristen-sen, Dindo Capello, and Guy Smith driving.

Published Thursday, June 12, 2003

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