“The challenge we face here is described in the name of the event itself: ‘Petit’ Le Mans. In other words, a scaled-down version of the Le Mans 24 Hours,” says Serge Grisin, manager of Michelin Competition’s four-wheel motorsport programmes. “Okay, the speeds aren’t the same, but the tyres have to cope with high loads and there are a few compressions here which give them a hard time, especially the dip just before the ‘Esses’, which is this circuit’s equivalent to Spa’s ‘Eau Rouge’.

“The track gives good grip but there is every chance we will see one of the biggest variations in track temperature over the course of the race [from up to 35°C at the hottest moment of the day to around 16°C after sunset], so we are likely to see a wide range of compounds used. This is especially true in the GT class where we will probably see our partner teams run hard, medium and soft compounds.”

The forecasters are predicting continuing sunshine for the weekend, so Michelin’s wet weather tyres probably won’t be used. “The American regulations only allow one type of rain tyre, and the product we have here is a full wet. It’s a tyre that worked very well in the downpour at the ALMS round at Mid Ohio earlier in the year.”

Michelin is working with approximately half the 60-strong field here at Road Atlanta.

Mans 24 Hours, Michelin, Petit Le Mans 2011, Road Atlanta