LE MANS TEST DAY IS NEXT STOP FOR CADILLAC NORTHSTAR LMP 02
LE MANS, May 5, 2002 – Next week, less than two months after its race debut in Sebring, Florida, Cadillac's new Northstar LMP 02 will take a first step towards competing in the 70th edition of the world's most famous endurance race: the Le Mans 24 Hours. On May 5 all the selected teams and drivers are expected to present themselves on the Sarthe circuit for a day of "open testing."
Despite the fact that the traditional May test day is no longer part of the pre-qualifying system for the race, it is still a day during which everybody in the pitlane will be working flat-out to get the most of the eight hours of free practice. The test day is the only chance in the year for any team to test on the full circuit, as it is the only time – other than for the race – that the public roads will be closed.
For Team Cadillac the Sebring 12 Hours were more of a life-size test than a race proper, a first major step towards getting the brand-new Cadillac Northstar LMP 02 perfect for the Le Mans race in June. "Sebring was good for us," says LMP Program Manager Jeff Kettman. "Yes, we had several problems, but we knew that the first race would bring out issues that we couldn't find in testing. The race and the test we completed immediately after confirmed the areas on the car that are working well and helped focus the engineering effort on what needed attention."
One of the problems on the Cadillac in Sebring had been the starter. "The starter problems were the result of several different smaller problems all adding up to cause the ultimate failure," Kettman says. "It was not necessarily due to the heat and an expanding starter ring gear as had originally been speculated. The starter system has received a lot of our attention since Sebring in view of Le Mans. The starters and the whole starter system has always been an area of difficulty for teams due to the nature of the Le Mans regulations (shutting the car off during each pit stop and no push starting). The engineers have gone through every aspect of starter system and have put in place procedures that each starter must have done before going on the cars."
Immediately after what was probably one of the hottest and most grueling editions of the Sebring12 Hours, the team stayed in Florida for another three days of testing on the old Hendricks airfield.
"The Sebring test allowed us to finish the 12 hours that we didn't complete in the race as well as run approximately another 12 hours," Kettman continues. "The conditions were similar to the race: hot! Which made it a good test on the components. We did still see some of the same problems that plagued us in the race, which was somewhat expected as we were running the same components at that point. That we had the problems was actually good, because it showed that the problems were real, not some fluke event."
The Sebring test also marked the beginning of a very hectic test schedule pencilled in the team's agenda between the Florida race and June. "The team really only had a little over one week in the workshop before going to the test at the Virginia International Raceway, so not all of the items from Sebring were addressed before going to VIR. It was still important to us to go to VIR as it gave us the opportunity to test many other components," Kettman explains. "Also, the track at VIR has some high-G corners which loaded the car differently than at Sebring. From my point of view, we have learned a lot from the testing to date, but would be a lot more comfortable if we had more time to work out some of the problems we have uncovered."
After the test in Virginia the team moved to Miami for a further three days of testing, with the same goal in mind everybody has: finding maximum speed and reliability. "I don't know if anybody would ever claim to have total reliability," Kettman says. "That has to be the goal that everyone strives for, but it would be very presumptuous to claim that we have perfect reliability with a car this new and with so many complex and interrelated systems. But I'm sure we'll know more on the evening of May 5."
Since Sebring Team Cadillac has built up the third chassis of the Cadillac Northstar LMP 02, chassis 002 and 003 being used at the test day. In recent testing the team has concentrated on fine-tuning and durability, so apart from some detail work the cars will be as they were in March. The main purpose on May 5: "To develop the setup for Le Mans and get a good benchmark on our times relative to the competition," Kettman concludes.
2002 year will mark Cadillac's 100th anniversary and the luxury brand's fourth attack on the notorious French endurance classic, after the 1950, 2000 and 2001 editions.
TEAM CADILLAC DRIVER BIOGRAPHIES
#6 Cadillac Northstar LMP 02
ERIC BERNARD (F)
Born: Aug. 24, 1964
Le Mans participations: 7
Le Mans best: 7th (1999 – Panoz)
Career highlights:
- French Formula Renault Champion 1985 (Martini)
- Vice-Champion French Formula 3 Championship 1987 (Ralt-Alfa)
- World Formula 1 Championship 1989-1994 (Lola, Ligier, Lotus)
- FIA GT Championship 1996 (Ferrari) 1 win
- FIA GT Championship 1997-1998 (Panoz)
- American Le Mans Series 1997 (Panoz) 1 win
- American Le Mans Series 1998 (Panoz) 6 wins
- American Le Mans Series Vice-Champion 1999 (Panoz) 2 wins
- SportsRacing World Cup 1999 (Lola) 4 wins
- American Le Mans Series 2000 (Cadillac)
- SportsRacing World Cup 2000 (Cadillac)
- American Le Mans Series 2001 (Cadillac)
Eric Bernard in Le Mans:
| Year | Car | Team | Co-drivers | Result |
| 2001 | Cadillac Northstar LMP 01 | DAMS Cadillac | Collard-Goossens | DNF |
| 2000 | Cadillac Northstar LMP | Motorola DAMS | Collard-Montagny | 19th |
| 1999 | Panoz LMP1 Roadster | Panoz Motorsports | Brabham-Leitzinger | 7th |
| 1998 | Panoz GTR-1 | Motorola DAMS | Tinseau-Leitzinger | DNF |
| 1997 | Panoz GTR-1 | Motorola DAMS | Lagorce-Bouillon | DNF |
| 1996 | Ferrari F40 | Ennea | Gounon-Belmondo | DNF |
| 1995 | Courage-Chevrolet C41 | Courage Competition | Lagorce-Pescarolo | DNF |
EMMANUEL COLLARD (F)
Born: April 3, 1971
Le Mans participations: 7
Le Mans best: 7th (1996 – Courage)
Career highlights:
- French Champion Karting 1982-1985
- World Champion Karting Super 100 - 1988
- French Formula Renault Champion 1990
- International F3000 Championship 1991-1993 (Apomatox)
- Formula 1 test driver 1991-1998 (Ligier, Benetton, Tyrrell, Prost, Arrows)
- Porsche Supercup Champion 1996, 5 wins
- FIA GT Championship 1997 (Porsche)
- SportsRacing World Champion 1998 (Ferrari), 6 wins
- Winner Petit Le Mans 1998 (Ferrari)
- SportsRacing World Champion 1999 (Ferrari), 2wins
- Winner Spa 24 Hours 1999 (Peugeot)
- American Le Mans Series 2000 (Cadillac)
- SportsRacing World Cup 2000 (Cadillac)
- American Le Mans Series 2001 (Cadillac)
Emmanuel Collard in Le Mans:
| Year |
Car |
Team |
Co-drivers |
Result |
| 2001 |
Cadillac Northstar LMP 01 |
DAMS Cadillac |
Bernard-Goossens |
DNF |
| 2000 |
Cadillac Northstar LMP |
Motorola DAMS |
Bernard-Montagny |
19th |
| 1999 |
Toyota GT-One |
Toyota Motorsport |
Brundle-Sospiri |
DNF |
| 1998 |
Toyota GT-One |
Toyota Motorsport |
Brundle-Helary |
DNF |
| 1997 |
Porsche 911 GT1 Evo |
Porsche Motorsport |
Dalmas-Kelleners |
DNF |
| 1996 |
Courage-Porsche C36 |
La Filiere |
Pescarolo-Lagorce |
7th |
| 1995 |
Porsche 911 GT2 |
Larbre Competition |
Dupuy-Ortelli |
DNF |
JJ LEHTO (FIN)
Born: Nov. 30, 1969
Le Mans participations: 6
Le Mans best: 1st (1995 – McLaren)
Career highlights:
- Finnish, Scandinavian and European FF1600 Champion 1986
- British FF2000 Champion 1987
- European EFDA Euroseries Champion 1987
- Winner FFord World Cup 1987
- British Formula 3 Champion 1988
- International F3000 Championship 1989 (Pacific)
- World Formula 1 Championship 1989-1990 (Onyx)
- World Formula 1 Championship 1991-1992 (BMS-Dallara)
- World Formula 1 Championship 1993 (Sauber)
- World Formula 1 Championship 1994 (Sauber, Benetton)
- International Touring Car Championship 1995-1996 (Opel)
- FIA GT Vice-Champion 1997 (McLaren) 4 wins
- CART Championship 1998 (Reynard)
- American Le Mans Series 1999 (BMW) 4 wins
- Winner Sebring 12 Hours 1999 (BMW)
- American Le Mans Series 2000 (BMW) 2 wins
- American Le Mans Series 2001 (BMW)
JJ Lehto in Le Mans:
| Year | Car | Team | Co-drivers | Result |
| 1999 | BMW V12 LMR | BMW Motorsport | Kristensen-Müller | DNF |
| 1997 | McLaren-BMW F1 GTR | BMW Motorsport | Soper-Piquet | DNF |
| 1996 | McLaren-BMW F1 GTR | GTC Competition | Weaver-Bellm | DNF |
| 1995 | McLaren-BMW F1 GTR | Kokusai Kaihatsu | Dalmas-Sekiya | 1st |
| 1991 | Porsche 962 | Kremer Racing | Reuter-Toivonen | 9th |
| 1990 | Porsche 962 | Richard Lloyd Racing | Reuter-Weaver | DNF |
#7 Cadillac Northstar LMP 02
WAYNE TAYLOR (USA)
Born: July 15, 1960
Le Mans participations: 12
Le Mans best: 4th (1987 – Porsche)
Career highlights:
- South African F2 Champion 1986
- World Sports-Prototype Championship 1988-1989 (Spice)
- IMSA GTP Championship 1990 (Spice)
- IMSA GTP Championship 1991 (Intrepid) 1 win
- IMSA GTP Championship 1992 (Intrepid)
- IMSA GTP Championship 1993 (Chevrolet)
- IMSA World Sports Car Champion 1994 (Kudzu-Mazda)
- IMSA World Sports Car Championship 1995 (Ferrari) 2 wins
- IMSA World Sports Car Champion 1996 (R&S-Oldsmobile) 4 wins
- Winner Daytona 24 Hours 1996 (R&S-Oldsmobile)
- Winner Sebring 12 Hours 1996 (R&S-Oldsmobile)
- IMSA World Sports Car Championship 1997 (R&S-Oldsmobile)
- IMSA WSC Vice-Champion 1998 (Ferrari) 2 wins
- International SportsRacing Series 1998 (Ferrari)
- LMP Class Winner 24 Hours of Le Mans 1998 (Ferrari)
- Winner Petit Le Mans 1998 (Ferrari)
- IMSA Manufacturer's Champion 1998 (Ferrari)
- American Le Mans Series 1999 (Ferrari)
- American Le Mans Series 2000 (Cadillac)
- American Le Mans Series 2001 (Cadillac)
Wayne Taylor in Le Mans:
| Year | Car | Team | Co-drivers | Result |
| 2001 | Cadillac Northstar LMP 01 | DAMS Cadillac | Angelelli-Tinseau | 15th |
| 2000 | Cadillac Northstar LMP | Team Cadillac | Van de Poele-Angelelli | 22nd |
| 1998 | Ferrari 333SP | Doyle Risi | Van de Poele-Velez | 8th |
| 1997 | Nissan R390 | Nissan Motorsports | Brundle-Müller | DNF |
| 1996 | R&S-Oldsmobile | Doyle | Pace-Sharp | DNF |
| 1993 | Porsche 962C | Kremer Racing | Lavaggi-Lässig | 12th |
| 1992 | BRM P351 | BRM | Toivonen | DNF |
| 1991 | Porsche 962C | Team Schuppan | Haywood-Weaver | DNC |
| 1990 | Porsche 962C | Team Schuppan | Haywood-Rydell | 12th |
| 1989 | Spice SE89C | Spice Engineering | Thyrring-Harvey | DNF |
| 1988 | Spice SE88C | Team Cosmik | Los-Clements | DNF |
| 1987 | Porsche 962C | Kremer Racing | Fouché-Konrad | 4th |
MASSIMILIANO "MAX" ANGELELLI (I)
Born: Dec. 15, 1966
Le Mans participations: 3
Le Mans best: 11th (1999 – Panoz)
Career highlights:
- Italian Formula 3 Championship "Rookie of the Year" 1989
- Italian Formula 3 Champion 1992 (Dallara-Opel) 4 wins
- German Formula 3 Championship 1993 (Dallara-VW) 1 win
- German Formula 3 Championship 1994 (Dallara-VW)
- German Formula 3 Championship 1995 (Dallara-Opel) 1 win
- FIA GT Championship 1997 (Porsche, Lotus)
- FIA GT Championship 1998 (Porsche)
- Japanese GT Championship 1998 (Toyota)
- American Le Mans Series 1999 (Ferrari)
- SportsRacing World Cup 1999 (Ferrari)
- American Le Mans Series 2000 (Cadillac)
- American Le Mans Series 2001 (Cadillac)
Max Angelelli in Le Mans:
| Year | Car | Team | Co-drivers | Result |
| 2001 | Cadillac Northstar LMP 01 | DAMS Cadillac | Taylor-Tinseau | 15th |
| 2000 | Cadillac Northstar LMP | Team Cadillac | Van de Poele-Taylor | 22nd |
| 1999 | Panoz LMP1 Roadster | Panoz Motorsports | O'Connell-Magnussen | 11th |
CHRISTOPHE TINSEAU (F)
Born: Dec. 12, 1969
Le Mans participations: 4
Le Mans best: 15th (2001 – Cadillac)
Career highlights:
- Three times French Endurance Karting Champion 1984-1989
- French Formula Renault Championship 1990 (Martini)
- Vice-Champion French FRenault Championship 1991 (Orion) 2 wins
- French Formula 3 Championship 1992 (Dallara-VW)
- Vice-Champion French Formula 3 Championship 1994 (Dallara-Opel)
- International F3000 Championship 1995 (Mythos)
- International F3000 Championship 1996 (Apomatox) 1 win
- Indy Lights Championship 1997 (Lola-Buick)
- FIA GT Championship 1998 (Panoz)
- SportsRacing World Cup 1999 (Lola) 1 win
- American Le Mans Series 1999 (Lola)
- American Le Mans Series 2000 (Cadillac)
- SportsRacing World Cup 2000 (Cadillac)
- American Le Mans Series 2001 (Cadillac)
Christophe Tinseau in Le Mans:
| Year | Car | Team | Co-drivers | Result |
| 2001 | Cadillac Northstar LMP 01 | DAMS Cadillac | Taylor-Angelelli | 15th |
| 2000 | Cadillac Northstar LMP | Motorola DAMS | Goossens-Kolby | DNF |
| 1999 | Lola-Judd B98/10 | Motorola DAMS | Montagny-Terrien | DNF |
| 1998 | Panoz GTR-1 | Motorola DAMS | Bernard-O'Connell | DNF |
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