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LE MANS 24 HOURS – LOLA TAKE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE LMP2 TITLE

Lola celebrated an unprecedented fourth consecutive Le Mans LMP2 class victory today, as Binnie Motorsports crossed the

chequered flag after 24 hours of untroubled racing at the world’s toughest motor race.

The Anglo/American trio of team principal Bill Binnie and fellow drivers Allen Timpany and Chris Buncombe negotiated the

fabled La Sarthe circuit without significant stoppages to register the Huntingdon constructors fourth win in succession and the

fifth in seven years. As well as taking the LMP2 victory, the blue and white Lola finished 18th overall.

The Lola B05/40 Zytek did not skip a beat during the gruelling event and finished a full 17 laps ahead of their nearest LMP2

rival. Bill Binnie, who also tasted class success with a Lola B2K/40 in 2003 was ecstatic with his team’s performance and said:

“I am not surprised that we have done so well. We were careful and well planned and that paid dividends for us. As a team

everyone played their part and it is just a great, great feeling to win after such difficult conditions at the beginning and the end

of the race.”

Both Bill Binnie and Allen Timpany drove a series of solid and clean stints during some poor weather at the beginning of the

race and several safety car inducing accidents. Their team mate, Chris Buncombe impressed greatly in his first ever Le Mans

24 Hours and was rewarded by being chosen to cross the finishing line, triggering wild celebrations in the Binnie Motorsports

pits. The team even survived a last hour electrical scare to take the chequered flag in torrential rain.

Commenting on the Lola LMP2’s reliability and strength, Chris Buncombe said: “I had no doubts about the Lola not making

the finish. Everything felt right for our strategy and it all went perfectly to plan. Apart from a bit of slight contact early in the

race, it was a faultless performance from the whole package and especially the team who were fantastic.”

CHAROUZ AND CHAMBERLAIN-SYNERGY CLAIM HARD FOUGHT LMP1 FINISHES

As well as triumphing in the LMP2 class, Lola sportscars also registered notable LMP1 finishes, underlining the strength and

pace of Lola’s sportscar designs.

Charouz Racing System (below) encountered five punctures, a large accident and a pit fire but came through to finish a brilliant 8th

overall and 5th in LMP1. The Judd powered car, driven by Stefan Mucke, Alex Yoong and Jan Charouz also proved to be the

fastest of the petrol LMP1 cars, outpacing its rivals in the fastest lap stakes.

“We seemed to ensure more than our fair share of bad luck over the 24 hours,” said Alex Yoong after the race. “But that

showed the character of the team through and through. The Lola took a real hammering but it is one tough car. To finish 5th in

the LMP class is a real achievement considering all the incidents.”

The Chamberlain Synergy Lola B07/10- AER driven by Bob Berridge experienced a puncture on the first lap, with the force of

the blow triggering damage to the rear light. Berridge steered the yellow colours of the Chamberlain Synergy LMP2 back to

the pits to change the tyre. More problems were encountered and overcome throughout the race by the tenacious team who

were delighted to register their first classification in three attempts at the endurance classic.

As the race entered the second half of the 24 hours, the Oxfordshire based squad demonstrated both their and the Lola’s

resilience by making progress up the leader board. The Chamberlain Synergy Lola B07/10 - AER team eventually finished 20th

overall and an excellent 7th in place.

Of the six Lola’s entered this weekend, sadly three failed to make it to the chequered flag. Swiss Spirit (Lola-Audi), Quifel-

ASM (Lola-AER) and RML (MG-Lola) all retired despite some exceptional efforts by all three teams in difficult conditions.

 

LE MANS 24 HOURS – AFTER 12 HOURS

16/17thth June 2007

 Charouz Racing System Lola B07/17-Judd

LMP1

#5 – Swiss Spirit Lola B07/10-Audi

Drivers: Jean-Denis Deletraz (CH), Iradj-Alexander David (CH), Marcel Fassler (CH)

Position after 12 hours: Retired

Swiss Spirit were forced to retire from the Le Mans 24 Hours just before midnight, after the electrical problem had stopped the

car on the circuit earlier in the evening, which could not be resolved.

“I was stuck in 6th gear and it turned out that this was caused by a problem with the electrical system,” said Iradj Alexander-

David. “I went back out but the throttle started sticking and we had to stop the car. It is really a shame because Marcel

(Fassler) showed that we could be the fastest petrol engine LMP1 car.”

The team will now get ready for the Nurburgring 1000kms in two weeks time where they will be looking to follow up on a

brilliant debut 3rd place on their debut at Valencia in April.

#15 – Charouz Racing System Lola B07/17-Judd

Drivers: Alex Yoong (MAL), Stefan Mucke (D), Jan Charouz (CZ)

Position after 12 Hours: 6th overall; 6th in class

After overcoming a small pit fire, a spin and two punctures earlier in the race, the Charouz Racing System team consolidated

their top six position and had even ran 5th at one stage in the evening.

With conditions fully dry between 9pm and 3am, the Charouz drivers lapped consistently in the late 3m30’s and early 3m40’s

and revelled in the handling and reliability of the Lola B07/17 Judd.

All three drivers completed triple stints and enjoyed the performance of both the car and the Michelin tyres. With the Peugeot

of Sebastien Bourdais recovering from an earlier problem, the Charouz Lola relinquished 5th place. However, the team’s

Sporting Manager, Sam Hignett was delighted with the way their race was developing.

“The car has been terrific so far and apart from the early race incidents we have a great pace and terrific reliability. All three of

our drivers are giving really good accounts of themselves at this stage. We are happy but we are only at half way.”

At 3am the Charouz Lola was on the same lap as the number 8 Peugeot diesel LMP1 with Jan Charouz on the last leg of his

triple stint.

Best Time: 3m35.510s (Stefan Mucke)

#39 – Chamberlain-Synergy Lola B07/10-AER

Drivers: Bob Berridge (GB), Peter Owen (GB), Gareth Evans (GB)

Position after 12 hours: 40th overall; 12th in class

The Chamberlain Synergy Lola B07/10 - AER team completed a determined second quarter of the 2007 Le Mans 24 Hours,

positioned in 12th place in the LMP1 class at the half way point. All three drivers were involved in a recovery drive after losing

time with various problems in the first 12 hours of the race.

Hugh Chamberlain summed up the team’s evening session, “We’ve been having a series of mechanical gremlins, which have

all been minor problems, but they’ve been adding up. We were all expecting a wet and nasty race, which thankfully hasn’t

materialised yet. There is still a long way to go, so it’s up to the drivers to look after the car and they have been doing a great

job. It’s important that they remain careful and keep aware of their surroundings.”

Best Time: 3m42.471s (Bob Berridge)

LMP2

#25 – RML MG-Lola EX264 AER

Drivers: Mike Newton (GB), Tommy Erdos (BRA), Andy Wallace (GB)

Position after 6 hours: 35th overall; 6th in class

The RML MG-Lola EX264 AER team has enjoyed a solid run throughout the evening and early morning session at Le Mans,

recovering from an accident that befell Andy Wallace in the 4th hour.

Phil Barker, Team Manager for RML was very satisfied with the progress made with the Huntingdon built LMP2 racer.

“We’ve been consistently making good times throughout the evening stints, without any dramas. It seems to be the turn of the

other P2 cars of falling into trouble. The car is running well, but we’re conscious that that there is still 12 hours to go. We need

to remain sensible, so we can keep this pace.”

RML were positioned in 35th overall at 3am and were looking forward to making more progress in the second half of the race.

Best Time: 3m46.634s (Tommy Erdos)

#31 – Binnie Motorsport Lola B05/40 Zytek

Drivers: Bill Binnie (USA), Allen Timpany (GB), Chris Buncombe (GB)

Position after 6 hours: 16th overall; 1st in class

The Anglo/American Binnie Motorsport team led the LMP2 class at 3am after a trouble free race for the trio of team owner

and driver, Bill Binnie, Allen Timpany and Chris Buncombe.

The Lola-Zytek took control of the LMP2 class just before midnight with both Binnie and Timpany having completed clean

and consistent stints. Timpany, who tasted success with the team last year when they were runners-up to the RML Lola-MG,

was delighted with the way the car was running.

“We are staying out of trouble and the car is going very well indeed,” said Timpany. “I enjoyed my night stints despite lots of

distraction lights around the circuit but that just takes a little getting used to. All in all we look to be in good shape so we will

just continue with our race plan which is to look after the car and ourselves.”

Racing on Kumho tyres the Lola-Zytek LMP2 was positioned in a solid 16th position overall and a lap ahead of the Del Bello

Courage.

Best Time: 3m51.008s (Buncombe)

#40 Quifel-ASM Team Lola B05/40 AER

Drivers: Warren Hughes (GB), Miguel Amaral (P), Miguel Angel De Castro (P)

Position after 12 Hours: Retired

After a superb opening 6 hours in which they led the LMP2 class comfortably, the Quifel-ASM squad endured a busy yet

frustrating period between 11pm and 3am.

With Warren Hughes at the wheel and a commanding lead in LMP2 when a problem with the right rear caused him to stop at

Tertre Rouge when the wheel became detached. In communication with the team, Hughes worked wonders to ensure that he

locked the differential to give him enough drive to return to the pits.

“We had a loose wheel earlier in the race but coming out of the Dunlop chicane the right rear came off,” said Hughes. “I spoke

with the team and was able to get back to the pits but we have lost a lot of time. It is such a shame as we were really running a

good race.”

Getting back in to the race at half past midnight, Hughes completed his triple stint before handing over to Miguel Amaral. At

01.55 the Portuguese racer went off at the Porsche Curves, damaging the front of the Lola B05/40-AER.

At just before 3am the team were forced to officially retire the car from the race as a result of the problems.

Best Time: 3m44.993s (Hughes)