Americans Third and Sixth in Qualifying at Pukekohe

Jan 19, 2002
Pukekohe, New Zealand — Team USA Scholarship drivers Bryan Sellers and A.J. Allmendinger will start third and sixth on the grid for the first of tomorrow’s pair of Talley’s New Zealand Formula Ford Championship races at Pukekohe.
The pair were quick in unofficial practice yesterday, in changeable conditions, with Sellers turning the fastest lap in wet weather practice and teammate Allmendinger close behind in his identical red-white-and-blue Canterbury Racing School/Crawford Services-prepared Van Diemen. Today, however, dawned sunny and windy at the fast Pukekohe circuit, situated 20 miles south of Auckland. The entirely different conditions left the Americans at a slight disadvantage to the more experienced locals for the single 20-minute qualifying session, but car owner John Crawford once again was impressed by the pair’s ability.

“They’re right there [on the pace],” said the former New Zealand Formula Ford Champion. “Considering that they’ve never seen the place before and have had only one dry session, they’ve done a pretty good job. It’s a tricky place. I’ve seen people win here [at Pukekohe] from the sixth row [of the grid], so they’re in good shape for tomorrow.”

Series leader Fabian Coulthard once again set the pace, posting a fastest lap of 1:02.973, followed by vastly experienced Brady Kennett, a former winner in the more powerful Formula Holden cars. Sellers was third despite not being able to take advantage of the draft.

“We were geared too high,” said Sellers, 19, from Centerville, Ohio. “We made some changes from yesterday but we went in the wrong direction, so I set my best time without a draft. We’re in decent shape. The car feels good, but this place is all about the draft and I wasn’t able to take advantage of that. We’ll make some more changes tonight and just have to wait and see how things pan out tomorrow.”

Teammate Allmendinger, who has been fighting a heavy cold since last weekend at Timaru, wound up sixth after qualifying this afternoon.

“Decent,” summarized the 20-year-old from Hollister, Calif., succinctly. “I got only one good lap. It’s all about finding the right drafting partner. When I did that, there was a caution flag going into Turn One, so that cost us some time. The car’s pretty good. Starting positions don’t really mean a lot here, so I just need to make sure I get off the line well tomorrow [at the standing start].”

Top six times from qualifying: 1. Fabian Coulthard (NZ), Van Diemen, 1:02.973; 2. Brady Kennett (NZ), Van Diemen, 1:03.189; 3. Bryan Sellers (USA), Van Diemen, 1:03.400; 4. Ken Smith (NZ), Van Diemen/Stealth, 1:03.588; 5. Simon Gamble (NZ), Van Diemen, 1:03.771; 6. A.J. Allmendinger (USA), Van Diemen, 1:03.785; etc.