Risi Competizione crew chief and engineer Chris Riggs has been keeping americanlemans.com readers up-to-date with the team's activities at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since last week. Today he looks back at a second straight GT2 victory in the world's greatest race and preparing for the trip home.
We did it! We not only won the GT2 class for a second year running but also got two cars on the podium which is a really great achievement. I know we should all be feeling on top of the world but, to be honest, we’re so tired that our celebrations might have to wait a bit. Don’t worry though...we will celebrate!
Chris Riggs: "It was quite a surprise to win again." Photo: Regis LefebureIt was quite a surprise to win again - not from a team point of view as everyone was spot on before and during the race with preparation, pit stops, driving, strategy etc – but the stats probably tell you that you shouldn’t win again, especially with such strong opposition as there was at the beginning of the race. I’m really glad we did, for Mr. Risi and for Ferrari; it says a lot about us and what we do.
This year’s race was difficult and everyone’s more tired than 12 months ago for some reason. Some of the guys who normally stay awake all night and do their usual goofy things to keep everyone alert and amused were all camping out and finding places to sleep. There was a lot more going on and a lot more to prepare for; it was also hot and humid on both days so that would also have contributed to why it was more draining on the team. The heat is draining on the equipment too; it makes the car work harder. Last year we had rain the whole way through which seems kind of bad for a car but actually it cools a race car and lower speeds also means less stress on parts. Rain does make it dirtier though!
Homeward bound for the winning Risi Ferrari. Photo: Risi CompetizioneWhen the sun comes up on Sunday morning it’s almost like a sign of relief but then again it isn’t as you have a long ways to go. At places like Daytona, where there are more hours of darkness and an earlier start/finish time, morning signifies almost the end of the race but not at Le Mans. We had breakfast and lunch before the checker at 3 p.m. plus preparation for the finish. You not only have to make sure the cars will be good until the finish - at Le Mans you have to be running to be classified - but right near the end you also have to start getting in everything that’s outside your garage or on your pit wall otherwise they’ll be taken as souvenirs by the crowd.
After the finish there’s a lot of work to do as well. Monday morning we’re all back at the track quite early as we’re packing up and trying to get out of here. We had to do an engine change on the No. 83 Krohn car before it was readied to go back to the States and that’s not something you want to do when you’ve been up all night but it had to be done. The cars have to be ready for collection by our freight agents at 12 noon Monday and the rest of the 9 tons or so of freight ready by 3 p.m. It’s raining again and when your equipment is hanging outside isn’t really the plan you want or need but we’re trying to get organized.
Personally I have a great feeling of satisfaction with the result, and how well everyone performed, but we’re all so tired and are so desperate to get home that it’s very hard to find the motivation to prep the equipment to be flown again. It’s kinda neat that we’ve got a little halo over us; we won it again and the Krohn car came third so that’s two podiums for Mr. Risi and the team and that’s a great thing. Something under your belt that makes you feel very proud.
See you at Lime Rock!
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