Le
Mans Series 2008
Round 3. Spa 1000 Kilometres. May 9th - 11th 2008
Qualifying Press Release. Issued May 10th 2008
RML
Moves Closer to the Top
RML
AD Group’s MG Lola EX265 will start from fifth in
LMP2 for this weekend’s Spa 1000 Kilometres –
the team’s highest grid position since the start of
the year, and an indication of the ongoing progress being
achieved against the determined challenge from new cars,
teams and drivers in 2008.
Thomas
Erdos, reigning LMP2 titleholder in the Le Mans Series alongside
RML co-driver Mike Newton, had to contend with a qualifying
session that was repeatedly disrupted by red flags. He maintained
his composure throughout, despite the additional pressure
of having to remain strapped in the cockpit while accidents
were cleared away, and posted a best of 2:07.539 on his
first flying lap. That was enough to secure fifth in the
increasingly competitive LMP2 class, just 1.6 seconds behind
Jos Verstappen in the pole-setting Van Merksteijn Porsche
RS Spyder. “I did have what was potentially a much
quicker lap spoiled by another car which backed off suddenly
directly in front of me, but I’m still satisfied with
where we are on the grid,” said Erdos. “The
car’s reliable, the engine’s strong, the balance
is good, and we have a good car for the race. I’m
just looking forward to getting started!”
Adam
Wiseberg, Motorsport Director of AD Group, was comfortable
with the outcome of what had been “a very difficult
session for all of us, what with the two red flags and the
lengthy interruptions. That upset everyone’s rhythm,
but Tommy remained focused throughout, and posted yet another
excellent lap. It’s a nice feeling to have qualified
nearer the front of the grid than at either of the two previous
rounds.”
The
time achieved today is marginally slower than Erdos posted
in setting pole in 2007, when he and Mike Newton went on
to finish third overall. By doing so they became the first
LMP2 pairing to finish on the overall podium in Europe,
beating several LMP1 entrants along the way. This year the
revised regulations have added substantially to the weight
of cars in the LMP2 category, and this has had a more significant
impact on the hilly Ardennes circuit at Spa Francorchamps.
“I don’t think we can realistically hope to
repeat our success of 2007,” admitted Erdos. “The
competition is so much more intense this year, not only
within our own category, but across the board. Even so,
we have reliability and experience in our favour, and I
hope we can come through with another good result.
The
1000 kilometre race is scheduled for 143 laps, which is
unlikely to last the full six hours if the current weather
continues into a third sun-baked day. The start is scheduled
for 12:50.
LMP2
Times - Qualifying
Pos |
No. |
Overall |
Team |
Driver |
Car |
Time |
1 |
34 |
8 |
Van
Merksteijn M/s |
Van
Merksteijn/Verstappen |
Porsche
RS Spyder |
2:05.841 |
2 |
33 |
9 |
Speedy
Sebah |
Belicchi/Pompidou/Zacchia |
Lola
B08/80 Coupé |
2:05.880 |
3 |
32 |
12 |
Barazi
Epsilon |
Barazi/Vergers/Rees |
Zytek
07S |
2:06.349 |
4 |
27 |
13 |
Horag
Racing |
Lienhard/Theys/Lammers |
Porsche
RS Spyder |
2:06.955 |
5 |
25 |
15 |
RML
AD Group |
Erdos/Newton |
MG
Lola EX264 |
2:07.539 |
6 |
46 |
16 |
Embassy
Racing |
Kimber-Smith/Foster |
WF01
Zytek |
2:08.047 |
7 |
40 |
17 |
Quifel
ASM |
Amaral/Pla |
Lola
B05/40 AER |
2:08.224 |
8 |
31 |
18 |
Team
Essex |
Nielsen/Elgaard |
Porsche
RS Spyder |
2:08.322 |
9 |
35 |
19 |
Saulnier
Racing |
Ragues/Lahaye |
Pescarolo
Judd |
2:08.676 |
10 |
45 |
20 |
Embassy
Racing |
Hughes/Kane |
WF01
Zytek |
2:08.873 |
11 |
41 |
21 |
Trading
Performance |
Ojeh/Gosselin/Schroyen |
Zytek
07S |
2:11.269 |
12 |
26 |
23 |
Bruichladdich |
Rostan/Petersen/Lueders |
Radical
SR9 AER |
2:12.207 |
13 |
44 |
44 |
Kruse
Schiller |
de
Pourtales/Noda |
Lola
B05/40 |
no
time |
14 |
37 |
- |
WR
Salini |
Salini/Salini/Roussel |
WR
Zytek |
DNS |
There
are high resolution images posted in the Spa
Gallery.
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