Karun Chandhok’s team JRM 11th fastest

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Karun Chandhok’s JRM Racing team emerged 11th fastest in the first qualifying session of the 80th edition of the Le Mans 24-hour race being held in France.

It was Karun’s teammate, Peter Dumbreck, who set a time of 3:37.088 to give JRM the penultimate spot in the premier LMP1 category on Wednesday.

Audi driver Andre Lotterer set the pace with a 3:25.453 lap.

In total, there are 56 entries in various categories. The race will begin on Saturday afternoon. Third member of the team, David Brabham — winner of the 2009 edition — will kick start JRM’s campaign in the race and Karun is likely to do the third stint.

Karun said the team’s objective is to emerge best among the private entries. “At the season opener in Sebring (US), we were fighting for podium.

That helped us realise the car’s potential. However, in Le Mans the field has one more manufacturer in Toyota, so our realistic target is to finish on top of the private teams,” informed Karun.

In the qualifying, Dumbreck was first out in the car and completed four timed laps including the team’s overall best of 3:37.088.

He then handed over the car to Karun who posted three timed laps. Karun said he was ready for the big challenge of racing at midnight.

“It’s going to be tricky at night with poor visibility and temperature is expected to be around six degree Celsius. I have to be more alert.”