Qualifying report

Holzer puts Lizards on the GT pole at Road America

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin – Flying Lizard locked out the front row today for the Road America Road Race Showcase with a one/two GT qualifying finish. Marco Holzer took his first ALMS career pole in the No. 44 Flying Lizard Porsche with a time of 2:04.415, a new track record. Joerg Bergmeister was just 1/100 of a second back in P2 in the No. 45 with a time of 2:04.428. It is the first pole for the No. 44 since 2004.

#44 Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: Marco Holzer

Photo by: Art Fleischmann

Holzer said, "It was an unbelievable day for me. The car was fantastic. It was a tough quali because on each lap, after I had crossed start/finish, they radioed that I had P1, then ten seconds later that Joerg had overtaken and I was now P2. For four laps we both pushed hard and kept alternating for P1. On the last lap, I nearly went off, I was so over the limit, but I made it for the fast time. I'm looking forward to the race tomorrow; Road America is my favorite track in the U.S. and has everything you could want as a driver."

Bergmeister added, "It was a great quali for the No. 45 too. I had fuel for three laps and then had to come in, but I was pretty happy with our time. On my fast lap, I made a small mistake on the last corner but that was just about all we had for today. Tomorrow's race is a longer format, so strategy and tire management will play a big part in the outcome. Should be an exciting four hours."

Bergmeister and Patrick Long are fifth in the 2012 ALMS GT drivers' championship with 55 points. Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner of the No. 4 Corvette lead with 93 points. The Lizards are fourth in the team championship with 66 points; Corvette Racing leads with 114 points. There are 88 points possible left in the season.