TUESDAY 13 MAY 2008

FAULTY AXLE RUINS SPA RACE WHILST LEADING GT2
A defective rear axle has cost Lars Erik Nielsen and his two co-drivers Richard Westbrook and Allan Simonsen dearly at Spa last weekend when the team retired whilst leading the GT2 class.

This was their second DNF of the season whilst leading their class and was a bitter pill to swallow.

After Lars Erik Nielsen and fellow drivers Allan Simonsen and Richard Westbrook drove to victory at the last race at Monza, Italy, the third race in the Le Mans Series ended in a different way. 

The trio started out fifth, but with Westbrook and Simonsen behind the wheel got the car to third after to hours, there after it was P1 in class until the defect in the rear axel cut the race short.

From a sunny Spa Lars Erik said, "It is a nice track, a fantastic weather and atmosphere here, but not seeing the chequered flag has definitely spoilt the party. 

"Spa was a good race in terms of racecraft from the Danish sportscar racer, Simonsen gave me the car in third spot and I handed the car to Westbrook in the same place.

Westbrook was on a high and put the car P1 where it stayed until the rear axle slowed us down.

The disappointment was difficult to hide in the Farnbacher Racings Porsche squad.

In all three races the #91 997 RSR has been P1 in class, resulting in two DNF and one victory.

It truly makes the battle for the championship uphill in the remaining two races in the season.

Live Timing from Spa is available here. Live trackside audio commentary from RADIO LEMANS is available here.
Don't forget to check the LMS site for qualifying and race times.