program for Chrysler over the years, winning everything there was to win in the process. This year, Oreca ran Chrysler’s prototype class cars at Le Mans, leaving the Vipers to a band of semi-independents. Accidents and mechanical troubles took all of them out of contention long before the race was over.
    The Saleen S7R is still practically a brand-new car and, as such, it lacks the experience of either the Vipers or Corvettes. In spite of that, many expected the three sleek-looking supercars to provide ferocious competition once the green flag fell.
    One of the S7Rs was campaigned by Saleen/Speedlab Racing, another by Ray Mallock Limited, and a third by Konrad Motorsports. A fourth S7R was entered but could not be completed in time to participate in pre-qualifying last month. It was finished in time for the race but was disallowed because the rules specify that all competitors must run in pre-qualifying.
    All three of the Saleen competitors were