Two for the Show:
Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing prepare for Le Mans
Photos courtesy Ulli Upietz

TORONTO, Canada (May 21, 2004) – How long does it take a racing team to prepare for the Greatest Race on Earth – the 24 Hours of Le Mans? According to Mike Petersen, owner of Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing, you can’t start too soon. “Preparation for Le Mans began for us in 2000,” he said, “when Dale [White] and I went to Le Mans with the full intention of racing there in 2001.” Lucky for them, they missed the chance to run the coldest, wettest Le Mans in living memory! But a race of this magnitude takes plenty of preparation, particularly for a privateer team, and PMWL continued their preparation by competing in the ALMS with the best of the best, until they felt they were ready to enter – not only in the Olympic sense that “participation is itself an honour”, but with the best possible chance to win. In 2003 they had the chance to get their feet wet (metaphorically) at Le Mans, in a team effort with Alex Job Racing, and they enjoyed their first in class so much that this year they have decided to bring the whole ALMS team along and give everybody a chance to participate in the fun.

The first thing they need, of course, is the car itself, and the new RSR has shown itself as fast and reliable as anyone could want. Together with Porsche factory drivers Jörg Bergmeister and Patrick Long (Sascha Maassen will join them for the main event), Petersen shook down the “Ho car” at the track in France on April 25th and all were delighted, though not surprised to finish the day with zero problems. Inside and out, the car retains the look its fans have come to know and love. If you’re a follower of the American Le Mans, you’ll easily be able to pick it out, day or night. (Hint: it’s the GT up front.)

Okay, they’ve got the car. But what about drivers? “It’s Dale and Kent who do most of the race preparation,” said Mike, “but I’ve been talking with them for months about drivers individually and in combination.” Having spent so much time shaping the rest of the team, Petersen knew just what to look for in a driver, and he believes that in Bergmeister, Long, and Maassen he has found the team he wants. Although Bergmeister solemnly assured us that “Germans are very serious – we never laugh,” it’s clear that Americans do, and we have the feeling that by the time he reaches the Victory Podium on Sunday night, Jörg will have to change that assertion. There isn’t any way to maintain a sober and serious mien when you’re working with a team whose leader not only gives his guys all the credit they are due (“They put in so much work and are so dedicated to their job”), but at the top of his list he remembers to place – his Mom. This is a team that eats, sleeps and plays together – and who have no doubt they will win together too! Most of the team headed home after Pre-Qualifying, but they’ll be on their way back again June 3rd, just a little less than two weeks from now, to really dig in and get ready to rumble. “Folks look out,” is their battle cry, “because the GANGSTERS ARE COMING BACK TO Le Mans with the full attack!”

Be afraid, Le Mans!

Watch this space for much more on the Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning team as they prepare for and execute the 24 Hours of Le Mans.