Extreme Speed Motorsports enjoyed a positive start to the 6 Hours of Shanghai weekend in Free Practice 1 this morning. Team regular Ryan Dalziel partners Scott Sharp and Ricardo Gonzalez in the #30 entry this weekend, as the Tequila Patron-backed team makes its second FIA World Endurance Championship appearance of the season. After the session Dalziel was content with progress already made.
“It was a good start for us in FP1,” said the Florida-based Scot. “We spent most of it just understanding the Dunlop tyres we are running for the first time here and also getting Scott up to speed with the track. I have good memories from here after securing the title back in 2012 when we had a great weekend.”
The big questions throughout the classes at Shanghai are, as ever, regarding tyres and their longevity over two stints. Dalziel believes that the ESM cars will be in good shape come race day.
“I think that we will be good on race pace with what I have seen of the tyres so far,” he said as he looked over a set of his Dunlops in the ESM pit. “The HPD is quite good on wear rates and I think this will be a key factor heading in to the weekend.”
Shanghai is likely to see the last running of the HPD ARX 03B LMP2 (with a new HPD due to come on stream for 2015) and, for Dalziel, it will be like saying goodbye to a trusted best mate.
“It will be a sad moment because I have had some really cool times with this car, but racing moves on. The car is a pleasure to drive and really tests you. I will be sorry to see it go but the Coupe for 2015 looks spectacular and I cannot wait to see it in the flesh.”
Sam Smith
