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Race Day

Warm-up

A healthy crowd (well, in terms of numbers anyway) was already gathering amidst the steeply ranked grandstands opposite the pitlane as the cars eased out onto the tarmac for official warm up. The pitlane opened at a fraction after nine, and Tommy was near the tail-end of the main group. Late out he might have been, but the Brazilian was rapidly up to speed, and before more than a couple of laps had been completed, the RML Lola Mazda was sitting ninth overall, third in LMP2.

Times are meaningless during warm-up anyway - even less so that free practice - but they do give an indication of the kind of pace a car is likely to be able to achieve in race trim. Most team managers will send the car out in exactly the configuration they'll employ for the race, so that final tweaks can be applied in a controlled way or the drivers can be assured that the set-up created during practice is still as they liked. That being the case, Tommy's third flyer, setting a time of 1:39.120, and fastest in LMP2, was highly encouraging.

His three laps completed, Tommy returned the Lola to the pitlane where the team went through a complete pitstop routine, including refuel and tyres, before Mike Newton headed out for the second half of the fifteen-minute slot. This is standard practice with RML, under the guidance of experienced Team Manager Phil Barker, and it usually pays off. RML's pitwork is recognised as some of the best in sportscar racing, and five or six seconds saved here through slick, efficient pitwork can be far easier to gain that the same deficit made up on track by the drivers.

Mike would be one of the first to admit that his times are never quite on a par with Tommy's, but seen in relation to those being set by the other drivers in the LMP2 class, they are invariably very competitive. Mike's status as a "gentleman driver" has been questioned several times of late, and the consensus is that the CEO of AD Group should now be more appropriately termed a 'sportsman driver'. He may not get paid for his performances on track, but he frequently sets times that are faster than those that do.

So the chequered flag fell at quarter-past with Tommy's earlier time still ranked as fastest in LMP2. Mike had been consistent around the one-forty-threes, and an excellent race pace. Second-up was the returnee Team WFR WF-01 of Warren Hughes on 1:39.237, and then the #35 Oak Racing Pescarolo third. The pole-setting ASM Quifel Ginetta-Zytek ended the session in fourth.

LMP2 Warm Up

Pos No. O/all Team Driver Car
Best Lap
1
25
8 RML AD Group Erdos/Newton Lola B08/86 Coupé
1:39.120
2
45
9 Team WFR Manning/Firth/Hughes WF-01 Zytek
1:39.237
3
35
10 Oak Racing Ajlani/Lahaye Pescarolo Mazda
1:39.310
4
40
12 Quifel ASM Amaral/Pla Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S
1:39.837
5 33 14 Speedy Sebah Pompidou/Luenberger/Kane Lola B08/80 Coupé
1:41.404
6
37
17 WR Salini Salini/Salini/Gommendy WR Zytek
1:43.388
7
24
18 Oak Racing Nicolet/Hein Pescarolo Mazda
1:45.460
8 41 19 GAC Racing Team Ojeh/Gosselin/Peter Zytek 07S
1:45.527
9
26
21 Bruichladdich Bruneau/Greaves/Sini Radical SR9 AER
1:48.410
10
28
22 Ibanez Racing Ibanez/da Rocha/Cavailhes Courage AER
1:49.160
11
43
23 Q8 Oils Hache Jorda/Cortes/Nieto Lucchini Judd
1:49.705
12
38
30 Pegasus Racing Schell/Thiron/Metz Courage AER
1:53.558

Sunday Morning

The traditional autograph session started soon after the end of warm-up, meaning that a number of teams had drivers still in de-briefing sessions when the crowds started to mill around in the paddock, seeking out suitable targets for their collective intent. One driver above all others was the centre of attention, and there were wry grins and crossed arms from some of the neighbouring drivers, who found themselves as poor relations in the autograph-hunter's list of priorities. Nigel Mansell's return to serious motorsport after a sabbatical lasting several years, punctuated by a brief appearance in a Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari in FIA GT, and the "Masters" series for former Grand Prix drivers. His partnership in the Team LNT Ginetta-Zytek with his son Greg has piqued the interest of the public and motorsport media alike, and his every move has been dogged this weekend by photographers and members of the public. Finding him sat still and signing autographs was an opportunity not to be missed.

Although Nigel's pace has been good, it has been his son Greg who's set the quickest times in the orange GZ09S. The elder of the two sons (Leo being in the Team Modena GT2 Ferrari this weekend, as usual) has been a regular in the World Series by Renault championship, so obviously his racing eye is more attuned.

Mike and Tommy were slightly late arriving for the 09:45 start to the autograph session, but Mason and Andy had been excellent substitutes in their absence, handing out the team's HeroCards from beside the team's tractor unit.

Onto the Grid

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / DailysportscarThe pitlane opened at half-ten, and cars were soon starting to make their way out onto the pit straight and taking up their positions on the grid. For RML, an unexpected surprise was in store. The publication of the official grid revealed that once again the team had been penalised another ten positions. This seems particularly unfair within the context of the regulations which, although they state that each engine must do two races, imply that a team is permitted three engines during the course of a season.This interpretation is also reinforced by the revision to the "engine rule" announced for 2010. However, RML has been penalised with every engine change in 2009 . . . .so when does a new engine installation become "permitted" within the rules? Logic dictates that at least two of RML's engine changes should have been free from penalty this season, but they have not. The official figures have yet to be released, but it must now be assumed that RML has amassed a total of -16 points for this season. Some record, perhaps.

So Tommy lines up on row 10 for the start of the final round of the 2009 Le Mans Series. He is not alone in having been demoted overnight, and directly behind him will be Warren Hughes in the Team WFR WF-01 #45, which had a new engine fitted after the car's unfortunate shunt on Friday. Another to be appearing out of sequence is the Team LNT Ginetta-Zytek, "Red Five", which has also had a new Zytek V8 fitted. Nigel will take first stint, and starts from row 8.

The backmarkers on the grid are the #16 Pescarolo Sport, the #15 Kolles Audi and the #23 Strakka Racing Ginetta-Zytek, al of whom failed to set times in qualifying. This trio includes two (if not three) of the quickest cars in the race, so their early laps will be interesting to watch. On pole overall, the #10 Team Oreca Matmut AIM, with Nicolas Lapierre taking the first stint. Alongside him will be the #007 Aston Martin Lola, Stefan Mucke at the wheel.

The Race

Race Start Hour 2 Hour 3
Hour 4 Hour 5-Finish Result

Race coverage is created "live", and then driver quotes and additional observations added later. This process can lead to some inconsistency with tenses, for which we apologise in advance.

11:34
With a minute to go, the engines fire into life, and the grid is cleared. This race will be staged in front of perhaps the largest crowd of spectators seen for the Le Mans Series all year. If you're following this on-line, then please don't forget to tune in to Radio Le Mans for commentary throughout the race. See the link below.

Everyone gets away cleanly to follow the pace car for a single formation lap to the rolling start for the 1000 Kilometres. 195 laps of six hours. Even the Strakka Racing GZ gets away, despite ongoing worries over the starter motor. The WR Salini #37 will start from the pitlane after missing the closure of the exit, and will be held there for a complete lap. The car had been expected to start from the sixth row after a constantly improving season.

11:37
The cars are weaving from side to side, attempting to get heat into the tyres, as they circulate sedately behind the Audi pace car.

11:38:54 RACE START
A remarkably clean and untroubled start, but it's Stefan Mucke who gets through to lead into Copse from Lapierre. Tommy 18th across the line. He arrives at Copse (below) on the tail of the Pegasus Racing Oreca, which he passes on the exit, and then sweeps aead of the Q8 Hache Lucchini down Hangar Straight.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar

Pla is being held up by Chris Buncombe in the third Aston, and that's allowing Jonny Kane to stay within the ASM GZ #40. Tommy has the orange Ginetta-Zytek with Nigel Mansell in the cockpit leading the way. He's able to follow through in Mansell's wake, and overtakes the Bruichladdich Radical on the second lap.

End of Lap 2
Jonny Kane is still holding on to the rear of the #40 ASM car, Pla unable to take advantage of the GZ09's undoubted pace. The RML Lola is through to 16th, and now has Boullion in the #16 Pescarolo in front of him, the Frenchman having started form the very back of the grid. He, and the other two back-starters, have been scything through the field. Tommy has passed two of the slower LMP2 cars; the Pegasus Racing Oreca and the Q8 Lucchini.

End Lap 3
Tommy passes the #28 Ibanez Courage on the exit of Woodcote to start his fourth lap from 14th overall, sixth in LMP2. At some stage he's lost a position to Warren Hughes in the Team WFR WF-01, but they're now running tightly, and both looking to make up more ground.

Pla now leads by three seconds from Kane. Lahaye is third in class in the #35, with Philipp Peter fourth in the #41 GAC Zytek.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar

11:46
Four laps completed and the man on a mission is Boullion, who's already up to 11th and has just set a new outright fastest first sector. He's lapping a second faster than anyone else. More problems for Mansell, who's slipped back three or four places, and now has Danny Watts in the similar Strakka Racing GZ09S on his tail, (above) 16th and 17th overall.

11:48
We're into the sixth lap. Mucke leads overall from Lapierre, but the Oreca is under enormous pressure from the 009 Aston Martin Lola. They're already into the thick of the GT2 tail-enders.

Pla is having a real duel with Buncombe in the third Aston Lola, the 008. There's a hair's breadth between them, and Pla is evidently the quicker of the two. Being blocked so effectively, is allowing Kane and Lahaye to keep within sight, just.

Tommy has got back ahead of Warren, and they're 14th and 15th overall now, Tommy occupying the in class.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar11:50
Darren Turner gets ahead of Lapierre to make it one-two for Aston martin, but he's not pulling clear very quickly. The same cannot be said for Olivier Pla, who almost simultaneously gets by Buncombe to take 7th overall, and daylight is soon clearly visible between the LMP2 leader and the last of the Astons.

11:53
Tommy now has "Our Nige" on his tail, but the former World Champion has his own mirrors full of Danny Watts, who is evidently the quicker of the two Ginetta-Zyteks. The glossy black car is trying to find a way by, and perhaps it's just a matter of time. Both LMP1 cars have eased ahead of Warren Hughes, who has lost touch with Tommy as a result, and the #45 WFR car is now 17th overall.

11:54
The impressive Boullion Charge continues, as he sweeps ahead of Karthikeyan in the #14 Kolles Audi to take 5th overall. Pla continues to lead LMP2 by a country mile and has the luxury now of two LMP1 cars between him and Jonny Kane second in class, 10th overall. Third is Lahaye in the Oak Racing Pescarolo, the purple car still almost within sight of the blue and silver Lola. The Signature Plus LMP1 Pescarolo is sandwiched between the #35 Oak car and Philipp Peter, 1th overall in the GAC Zytek, but the Swiss
car has a mere second now over Thomas Erdos in the rapidly challenging Lola Mazda.

11:57
Danny Watts has overtaken Nigel Mansell, and the Strakka Racing #23 is through to 14th.

11:58
Tommy will have to wait awhile before he can make good his promise on Peter in the #41, because he too has lost a slot to the charging Danny Watts.

12:00
Midday, and the race is into its 14th lap. The two leading Aston Lolas are now nose-to-tail, separated by less than a second, but have pulled clear of Lapierre in the #10 Oreca I LMP2, Pla's lead has grown to more than ten seconds and continues to extend. He has just set the car's fastest lap of the race so far: 1:38.623, and at that pace he'll be on the tail of the #14 Kolles Audi in a few laps.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  David Lord / Dailysportscar

12:01
Tommy's battles amid the wagging tail of LMP1 has hampered his pace, and having just lost a place to Nigel Mansell, he's running in 16th place again, fifth in LMP2. He's created a lead of sixteen seconds over Warren Hughes. Tristan Gommendy, who started the WR Salini from the pitlane, is up to 18th overall, and is just ten seconds behind Hughes.

12:05
Jonny Cocker in the second-placed GT2 car, the Drayson Racing Aston Martin DBR9, is into the pitlane.

12:06
After some period of confusion, with demoted starters making up ground after their misplaced starts, the field is finally starting to resolve itself into the expected order. With the singular exception of Pla, 7th overall, the LMP1 field is now concentrated into the top ten, with LMP2 cars solidly between 15th and 23rd, the GT1 leaders 24th, 25th and 27th, and then GT2 cars to 40th place.

12:10
As he belts down the main pit straight, the rear-right suspension on Nigel Mansell's Ginetta Zytek appears to slump, and in a plume of tyre smoke, the #5 car presses on through Copse. He was in 14th, but he'll have to pit. Out at the very sharp end, Belicchi has got ahead of lapierre, and the #10 Oreca is now about to be swallowed up by the ever-charging Boullion.

12:11
Mansell into the pits. Tommy, and the others around him, step up a slot. The RML Lola Mazda is running 14th overall now, having also just moved ahead of Philipp Peter in the #41 GAC Zytek. LMP2 is now Pla, Kane, Lahaye and then Erdos, fourth. Dicing through the middle of this group is Danny Watts, now 12th in the LMP1 Strakka Racing Ginetta-Zytek.

12:15
In a dramatic through-the-traffic move, Boullion dives through to 4th overall, completely eclipsing Lapierre in the Oreca as they dice through the sweeping Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel complex. It's an awesome display of supremely confident driving.

12:16
Twenty-two laps into the race and Mucke leads by just over a second from Turner, with Belicchi third, another second or so adrift, but all three looking under imminent threat from Boullion, a mere two seconds further back. Pla's lead in LMP2 is almost as impressive, standing now at 12 seconds, although the pace of the ASM #'40 car does appear to have eased a little in the last ten minutes.

12:18
With 'Red Five' undergoing repairs in the Team LNT garage, Nigel Mansell has slipped to 39th out of 40th. Danny Watts, meanwhile, is gearing himself up to pass Jonny Kane for 11th. Another position likely to change ere long is 13th and 14th, where the gap between Lahaye, third in LMP2, and Erdos fourth, is dwindling by two or three seconds each lap. The margin is now less than two seconds.

12:21
There could be considerable forgiveness for the round of applause that erupted from the French brigade in the Media Centre a few seconds ago as Boullion swept through to take Turner for second. His pass on Belicchi almost went unnoticed, it seemed so easy, but this move on Turner was masterful.

12:23
Just two-tenths of second separated Lahaye and Erdos as the two LMP2 cars screamed across the line to start lap 28. It's a final push though from Tommy, who's on his last lap before his first scheduled pitstop.

12:26 PITSTOP (Erdos in, remains, Fuel only)
More cheers as Boullion undertakes, literally, one of the most daring passes on Mucke for the lead that anyone's seen for some while. As they bustle through the "stadium complex", between Priory and Luffield, he makes Mucke look almost stationery. Tommy meanwhile has completed his pitstop and is back out on track again. Other cars are streaming in and out of the pitlane as the race approaches the end of the first hour.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar

12:29
The LMP2 class leader is into the pits, as is Jonny Kane in the #33. Of the leading pack, only Lahaye has yet to pit. Tommy has resumed in fourth place in LMP2, but this may change as others complete their pitstops. Boullion has also completed his first pitstop, although it wasn't a particularly fast one from the French squad.

12:31
Lahaye completes his first pitstop, so a better idea of the true state of LMP2 will emerge shortly. Only Lahaye's team-mate, Nicolet in the #2, and Schell in the #38 Pegasus Racing car have yet to pit.

12:32
The order unravels, and the order in LMP2 is now, as expected, Pla leading from Kane second and Erdos third.

12:33
Olivier Pla has problems! The #40 ASM Ginetta-Zytek is travelling very slowly, but most bizarrely, he's heading on for another lap. The dar slows to a craw as he travels down the pit straight, right in the middle of the track! The engine has clearly stopped. Then he gets it going again, and presses on, but even then, not at top speed. Kane speeds by into the lead, and Tommy overtakes too. Kane is 9th overall, and Tommy is 12th.

Hour 2 (12:35:13:35)

12:36
Pla's incredible lap continues, as he returns at almost walking pace towards the pits. He may not even make it at all at this rate. It's almost as if he's driving on the starter motor.

12:39
Kane and Erdos are trading times, and the gap is remaining pretty constant between the two Lolas. Pla is currently under the bridge on Hangar Straight, and not moving. In amongst all this, the elevation of Warren Hughes in the Team WFR to third has almost gone unnoticed. It's a great return to the Le Mans Series for the former Embassy racing squad. Both he and Tommy Erdos are currently lapping quicker than Danny Watts in the Strakka Racing Ginetta-Zytek, suggesting perhaps that all is not quite right with the #23 car.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar

12:43
Pla has managed to get the #40 car moving again, but still very slowly. Meanwhile, Team LNT is still working on Mansell's car, and he's sat in the cockpit, waiting for the guys to complete the rebuild of the orange car's rear suspension.

12:47
Red Five returns to the race in last place. Part of the rear suspension had collapsed, and it's taken a fair length of tme to fit

The gap between Jonny Kane, leading LMP2, and Thomas Erdos in second is exactly 20 seconds, but the gap back to Warren Hughes in third is 50 seconds. Jonny and Tommy may be separated by distance, but their times are virtually identical.

12:49
A spin for the leader as Boullion attempts to dive down the inside into Vale when there's not enough room. He clips the kerb and spins, leaving the car he was intending to pass; the #12 Signature Plus to continue untroubled.

12:53
Tommy adds another lap on the #24 Oak Racing Pescarolo, passing the plum and pink car on the run down to Stowe. There is now perfect structure to the timing screens, with LMP1 occupying first through 10th, LMP2 11th through 21st, GT1 22nd through 24th, and then GT2 from 25th to 38th.

12:56
Ajlani, who took over from Lahaye at the pitstop in the #35 Oak car spins at Luffield, and nearly hits the WR Salini in the process, and the LMP1 Speedy Lola just manages to miss him. Then, quite inexplicably, Ajlani drives straight into the gravel, and beaches the car. The driver-change had dropped the Oak car to 17th overall, 7th in class, but he'll drop way out of contention after this.

13:00
News that Pla's race is probably over, after the #40 car was seen being towed to safety. A very disappointing way to end such an excellent season for the Portuguese squad, who will have the considerable consolation of the LMP2 title, despite this first DNF of the year.

13:02
Out at the sharp end, Boullion leads by 8 seconds from Lapierre, where slick pitlane work has eased the Oreca #10 back in front of the Astons - Mucke now third, from Belicchi fourth and Turner fifth, although the last of these positions may change any moment, as Turner is weaving around behind the red and silver Lola in his attempts to get by. He does so at the end of Hangar Straight.

13:04
There's remarkable stability in LMP2, with the 20-second gap between first and second remaining constant lap after lap. The Speedy Team Sebah Lola, with Jonny Kane half way through his second stint, is 11th overall, nine seconds behind Watts. The margin between Tommy Erdos and Warren Hughes has stretched somewhat, and the Team WFR #45 car is more than a minute behind.

13:09
The period for the second round of pitstops is now dawning, and one or two of the thirstier cars are starting to head for the pitlane. Tommy has three laps to go, and Mike is preparing for his first stint.

13:11
Nigel Mansell is no longer in last place, having now passed the stationary ASM #40. Ajlani has managed to get the #35 Oak Racing Pescarolo back to the pits, but is about to be overtaken by Mansell as well.

13:13
The #37 WR Salini is the first LMP2 car to make a second scheduled pitstop. Despite starting from the pitlane, the Zytek-powered car has moved through to fourth in LMP2, and was just 20 seconds behind Hughes when Gommendy pitted.

13:14 PITSTOP (Erdos out, Newton in. Fuel and tyres)
Warren Hughes puts the WF-01 into the pitlane, just a few seconds before Erdos, a full lap ahead, follows him down to the garage. The announcement appears on the screen that the #37 has earned itself a stop-go penalty. One can only guess that it's probably for speeding in the pitlane. Danny Watts pitted the Strakka Racing entry at the same time as Tommy, but is still there long after Mike Newton has departed. The Erdos-Newton pitstop cost the team 1:59, whereas Strakka's stop was a 2:12.

13:19
It may take some time to determine the correct order now, and Jonny Kane has yet to make a second pitstop for the leader LMP2. Further penalties are confirmed, for cars #41 and #95, and then the #28. Each has earned a one-second stop-and-go.

13:23
Still no sign of a pitstop from Jonny Kane, but Karim Ojeh is now in for the #41's pitstop and driver change, and on his departure, very nearly collides with Boullion, bringing the race-leading Pescarolo-Judd in for a second pitstop.

13:24
Confirmation that, as a result of the pitstop, the #41 has dropped out of second place, and Mike Newton has moved through. Kane's stint continues unabated.

13:26
Kane pits from the lead in LMP2. Mike's early pace is already good, and he's lapping in the forty-threes and fours. He's actually one of the quickest in LMP2 at the moment.

13:29
Karim Ajlani returns to the race after his self-imposed exile. One must assume that his rather strange antics at Luffield damaged the #35 Oak Pescarolo. He's managed to get back out again just before the now-charging Nigel Mansell overtook him.

13.31
Benjamin Leuenberger is now aboard the #33 Lola, and leads LMP2 from Mike Newton in the RML Lola by a lap, with Nick Leventis, now in the LMP1 Strakka Ginetta-Zytek stuck between the two. Darren Manning in the #45 is third, another lap behind.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar

Hour 3 (13:35:14:35)

13:37
Mike Newton completes the car's 67th lap, and with his twentieth minute in the cockpit, the CEO of AD Group has already completed more laps in this race than he's completed previously in the entire season. This alone is some kind of a record! He heads Leuenberger by 27 seconds.

13:45
Things appear to have settled down, with all four categories lacking any obvious contests for position. Tinseau now leads in the #16 Pescarolo by 13 seconds from Panis in the #10 Oreca AIM. Leuenberger heads LMP2 by an even larger margin from Mike Newton. In GT1, the Larbre Saleen leads the class by 25 seconds from Peter Kox in the Gigawave Aston. The situation in GT2 has the #76 Porsche leading by 40 seconds from Rob Bell in the JMW Motorsport Ferrari.

13:48
Drama for the leader. We spoke too soon. Tinseau is into the pits and into the garage with the #16 Pescarolo. Olivier Panis sweeps by on the main straight to take the lead, with Charouz second now for Aston Martin Eastern Europe, the #007 AM Lola.

13:50
The situation in GT2 is also more interesting than we'd first thought. Rob Bell is catching Pilet hand over first for the lead, and has already narrowed the gap, but more significantly, the title-leading Felbermayr Porsche is currently 35th overall, 12th in class, and with Bell (and Bruni) gunning for the lead, needs to finish seventh or higher to secure the title.

13:53
Newton's last lap was two seconds faster than Manning's, but the gap between second and third in LMP2 has been squeezed to just 18 seconds. Both cars move up a position, however, as they pass the erstwhile leader, still static and stricken in the pits. Newton is now 11th and Manning 12th overall. Leuenberger occupies 9th overall, with Nick Leventis and the Strakka Ginetta-Zytek still the filling in the sandwich.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar

13:55
Pitstops in GT2 see Rob Bell handing over to Gianmaria Bruni, and Narac into the #76. The order still has the IMSA Porsche leading.

13:57
Lap 82 completed out of a scheduled 195. So far, touch wood, no major incidents and no safety cars.

13:59
The gap between Newton and Manning continues to narrow, and has now dropped to 12 seconds. It's mostly down to traffic, and Newton's lap times are frequently quicker than Manning's, but on average, Manning is fractionally quicker.

14:00
Bruni celebrates the new hour by setting a fastest lap for the #92 Ferrari, and is catching Narac by three seconds a lap. Meanwhile, Mike Newton is having radio problems in the #25 RML Lola, and while the team can hear him, he can't hear their responses. The team confirms this using a message on the pitboard.

14:04
Darren Manning is now on Mike Newton's tail, and they cross the line to start their 84th lap with just three-tenths between them. They match times on the first sector exactly, 34.9 seconds apiece, but Mike eases ahead just a fraction on the second, 44.4 to 44.7. Darren pits at the end of the lap, having not quite managed to pass, and Mike has one more lap i this stint. It may come down to efficiency in the pitlane.

14:08 PITSTOP (Newton in, remains, Fuel only)
Mike's first mid-stint pitstop. Team WFR managed to complete theirs in 1:26. RML have to check Mike's radio. The RML pitstop is 1:01, so a good 20 seconds faster.

14:15
No improvement to Mike's radio, so he still can't hear the team, although they can hear him.

Situation in LMP2 remains relatively constant, with Leuenberger leading in the #33 Speedy Team Sebah Lola by two laps from Mike Newton and the RML Lola Mazda, with Manning third by eleven seconds. Fourth is Gosselin in the #41 GAC Zytek, half a minute down the track. Fifth is Hein in the #24 (and surviving) Oak Pescarolo, with the #37 WR Salini Zytek sixth. Seventh is the Bruichladdich Radical, Bruneau in the cockpit, and 8th is the #28. The #38 Pegasus Courage is ninth and bringing up the rear is the #43 Q8 Lucchini tenth.

14:20
While considering the order in LMP2, the #008 Aston Martin has been in the garage having the engine seen to. It has already dropped to 15th overall, and continues to remain in the garage.

14:23
Darren Manning moves through to take second in LMP2 from Mike Newton. It happens towards the end of the lap, and there's seven-tenths between them as they cross the line. They're starting their 95th lap. The leader has completed 99, so we're over half way.

14:34
Matters remain pretty static within LMP2, where there haven't been any significant developments since Manning overtook Newton for second. That situation remains unchanged now, although the margin between the two has stretched to fifteen seconds. Gosselin is fourth by another 50 seconds, and Nicolet is fifth in the #24.

Hour 4 (14:35:15:35)

14:38
Nicolet sets a new fastest lap for the #24 Oak Pescarolo. 1:42.760 isn't blisteringly quick, but it's faster than Mike's just done in the RML Lola by three seconds, although a more typical time in LMP2 at the moment would appear to be somewhere nearer the 1:49 mark.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar

14:40
A major "off" for the #43 Lucchini Judd at Turn 4 (Becketts), which looked at first sight to be suspension-related. Carmen Jorda, the only woman in the race, is in the car at the moment, and running a respectable 18th overall.

14:43
Nicolas Prost takes the lead overall, passing the #007 Aston almost as if it was stationery. Lapierre had been leading until recently in the #10 Oreca car, but has been one of the first to make a next routine pitstop.

14:46
Excitement in GT2 as the class leader, the #76 Porsche is punted off in the final complex by Tomlinson in the Team LNT Ginetta-Zytek. Moments later, along Hangar Straight, the new leader the JMW Motorsport Ferrari, is also needlessly hit, this time by the #12 Signature Plus Oreca, and then is clouted by another prototype to sustain further damage. Bruni has sustained at least a puncture, and is heading for the pitlane.

14:48
The Team LNT car is called in for a stop-go penalty. It's only a one-second stop, and there is already suggestion from observers that this is far too lenient.

14:51
This is silly season time. Yet another example of brainless driving as the #28 car appears to drive into the rear of the #41 GAC Zytek somewhere in the Priory-Luffield complex, ripping off one of the so-called "legality" panel s away from behind the rear wheel and causing the car to sustain a puncture.

14:55
Several cars now into the pits - some for scheduled stops, including the #37, but others, like the #41, for repairs. The #43 is also in the pits, but has already dropped to 33rd overall.

14:58
A quick catch-up on the situation in LMP1, where there's a one-two situation for Aston Martin, with #007 leading from #009. Lapierre is third for Oreca.

14:59
Darren Manning pits the Team WFR WF-01 from second in LMP2, and will hand over to Jody Firth. No, it seems Warren Hughes will get back in. The team complete their pitstop in 2:20. Mike Newton is also anticipating his final pitstop, with Thomas Erdos due to resume driving duties for the RML Lola.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar

15:01 PITSTOP (Newton out, Erdos in. Fuel and tyres)
Routine pitstop for RML. Erdos in, and leaves, with a total stop for RML of 1:47. As before, they've gained almost 20 seconds on WFR, who are evidently a bit rusty after their extended rest from motor racing. Mike is interviewed on Radio Le Mans, and agrees that "less is more" - in this situation, less power, but more laps.

15:05
It's difficult to determine just yet, but the rapid turn-round by the RML pit crew has narrowed the gap between the two cars to just fourteen seconds. However, WFR's decision not to put Jody Firth into the car does mean that the very experienced Warren Hughes is back in the cockpit, and his lap times are likely to be far more competitive - no disrespect intended to Jody.

15:08
Next lap round, and the Hughes-Erdos gap has narrowed to 12 seconds.

15:10
Tommy closes to within 10 seconds, and promptly sets a new fastest first sector for the #25 Lola. Nick Leventis, meanwhile, pits the #23 Strakka Racing Zytek, and both Hughes and Erdos are likely to pass the LMP1 car while Danny Watts climbs back into the cockpit.

15:12
Erdos was nearly five seconds faster over the course of his last lap, and a mere five seconds now separate the second and third-placed cars. Leuenberger still leads, however, and by nearly three laps. Meanwhile, Danny Watts sets a new fastest lap for the Strakka Ginetta-Zytek, his first flying lap, and 1:6.610 is the fastest lap overall by anyone currently on track.

15:15
Traffic delayed Erdos on his last lap, and Hughes has also responded with a new record lap for the Team WFR #45, although 1:40.972 was still about a tenth slower than Tommy's last lap. Meanwhile, the #009 Aston Lola is into the pits with a front-right puncture. The car has dropped out of third place.

15:17
Clear of traffic, Erdos closes to within three seconds of Hughes. On the next tour he claws back another second, and they start their 124th lap with just 1.462 seconds between them.

15:20
Tommy sails by, almost making it look easy as he instantly pulls out a lead of 1.686 seconds as they cross the line. RML occupies second place in class once again.

15:22
Leuenberger pits the class leader for what appears to be a scheduled pitstop. The #33 car enjoys a lead of around three laps over Erdos, second in the RML #25. However, there are still some sixty laps yet to complete.

15:25
In just a couple of laps, Erdos has pulled out a lead over Hughes in third of some five seconds or more. Nicolet pits the #24 Pescarolo Mazda from fourth in class, 12th overall.

In the race for overall mastership of the Silverstone 1000 Kilometres, the #10 Oreca is back in the lead again, with Lapierre at the wheel. He heads Fassler in the #13 Speedy Sebah LMP1 Lola by 51 seconds.

News that the ASM Quifel Ginetta-Zytek suffered a fuel filter failure.

15:31
Pompidou has taken over the #33 Lola, and is setting a quick pace for the blue and silver car. He's typically circulating around the one-forty mark. Tommy Erdos is almost as quick, but not quite, and his regular pace is in the one-forty-two or forty-three bracket. Warren Hughes seems able to set this kind of pace less frequently, and is more often crossing the line on forty-sixes.

Hour 5 (15:35:16:35)

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  David Lord / Dailysportscar

15:35
The race enters its fifth hour with a change in overall leader, with Marcel Fassler now leading for Speedy Tea, Sebah, but yet to do the fifth pitstop that Lapierre has already completed for Oreca. It seems likely that most cars will need to do an extra splash'n'dash pitstop at some stage to make allowances for the high fuel consumption figures likely here at Silverstone. Some may elect to do that extra stop out of sequence, and Oreca may already have done that, as may Strakka. These are the only two LMP1 teams to have done five pitstops so far.

15:38
Erdos now leads Hughes by 17 seconds, although both cars did laps of one-forty-one last time around. Glancing briefly towards the later half of the field, the #92 JMW Ferrari continues to lead GT2, with Rob Bell currently lapping in the fifty-threes. The critical consideration is the position of the #77 Felbermayr Porsche, which is currently in 32nd overall, 9th in class. If this remains unchanged over the final hour, then Bell and Bruni could retain their GT2 title.

15:42
Fassler pits the #13 Lola and Enge moves through into the lead. In the greater scheme of things it may not be significant, but Tim Greaves has now set three fastest laps for the #26 Bruichladdich Radical almost one after the other.

15:46
Warren Hughes brings the Team WFR WF-01 Zytek into the pits, and then the car is dragged back into the garage. The stop had looked to be out of sequence, and so it is proved. It appears to be an alternator problem.

15:50
Marc Lieb and the #77 Porsche moves up one position, and if it holds 8th to the flag, then he and Leitz tie with Bell and Bruni on points, but will win the title on number of wins.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  David Lord / Dailysportscar

15:53 PITSTOP (Erdos in and remains. Fuel and full set of tyres)
With the unexpected problems for Warren and Team WFR, a slight change of plan, and the intention to fit just half a set of tyres (to the left hand side, which really suffers from the abrasion here, especially through Club) the team elects to replace all four tyres. Tommy requests a very thorough windscreen clean, and the team obliges (above). It's another slick and speedy pitstop from the RML engineers and mechanics, and Erdos is back out and racing after a stop of just 1:26, which is more typical of some team's fuel-only pitstops.

15:56
Having not concentrated too hard on GT1, the fact that the Gigawave Aston now leads from the Larbre Saleen had slipped by unnoticed. They are 17th and 18th overall respectively.

15:57
Tommy crosses the line to start his 146th lap with the battle for the overall lead directly behind him - Enge leading Lapierre by just half a second. It is interesting to see that the two LMP1 cars gain little on the LMP2 Lola from Copse through to Chapel, but then impose their power dominance down Hangar Straight.

15:59
The Team WFR WF-01 Zytek is back out again. The stop cost the team over 12 minutes and Darren Manning is now back in the car and in 16th overall, 6th in LMP2. Whatever the outcome, it's been a strong return for the former Embassy Racing squad.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  David Lord / Dailysportscar

16:01
Tommy has the luxury now of a full lap's advantage over the third-placed Oak Racing Pescarolo, #24, with Nicolet currently doing duties and yet to make his anticipated fifth pitstop.

16:03
Tommy is pushing again, despite the margin he has over third, and his last series of laps have all been in the forty-ones - consistent, and consistently quick.

16:05
A new fastest lap from Darren Manning in the WF-01 of 1:39.692. The track conditions must be good, because Boullion i the #16 Pescarolo has just set a new fastest lap for the Pescarolo as well; 1:34.316, which is about four seconds faster than anyone else is doing, and is probably a new fastest lap for the race too.

16:07
The leader pits; Enge stopping for fuel and tyres, and allowing Lapierre through to the lead. They have both now stopped five times.

Tommy and the team have decided to take things a little easier from now on, but not to relax too much. A puncture at this stage could cost second place, despite he lap's lead over Nicolet in third. With the exception of Danny Watts in the Strakka Racing GZ09S, who has done a sixth stop for the #23 car, all the other front-runners in LMP1 and LMP2 are expected to need to make another stop .Turner makes his fifth stop from third, and Aston change just the two left-hand wheels.

16:12
Thirty-five laps remain. In LMP2, more quick lappery from Tim Greaves and the Bruichladdich Radical has steadily climbed up to fourth position in LMP2, 13th overall.

16:18
Xavier Pompidou pits the #33 Lola for what should be the car's last pitstop of the race. It is a quick stop at 58 seconds, concurrent with a splash for fuel. The race leader also stops with 29 laps remaining, but it's a slightly longer stop than expected after the team elect to fit a new nose section. Panis takes over the car, and Fassler takes over the lead.

16:22
Nicolet pits in the #24 Oak Racing Pescarolo Mazda from 11th overall, third in class. It's a very long stop indeed at 1:49, even allowing for the driver-change to Hein.

16:25
Fassler begins his 170th lap, leaving just 25 to go. He and Enge in second place are expected to need another pitstop, but it's touch and go.

16:31
Tommy is advised that he now has a two-lap lead over the #24 Oak Racing Pescarolo, and with the #33 a similar distance ahead, there's no point in pushing any harder, so the priority now is to ensure the car gets to the finish. The team is watching the telemetry closely all the way. The LMP2 leading trio is now 9th, 10th and 11th respectively, with Stuart Hall chasing from 13th in the #008 Aston Martin Lola.

Hour 6 (16:35:17:35)

16:39
Eighteen laps to go in what has been a fascinating race. There have been changes of overall lead throughout, and even now, there;s no guarantee that Fassler can hold on to the flag. His lead over Olivier Panis in the #10 Oreca is just 18 seconds. In LMP2, no such question, with the #13 Lola leading by two laps over Tommy Erdos. However, if it remained in this configuration, would it be a "first" for Speedy Team Sebah - a win in the top two classes, and no team has ever done that before.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar16:43 PITSTOP (Erdos in and remains. Fuel and full set of tyres)
A very slow lap for the Pegasus #38, as Tommy comes in for his final splash'n'dash that will see him to the flag. Fourteen laps remain.

16:47
Tommy has resumed in 10th overall, just over two laps behind Xavier Pompidou, and still holding a similar margin, perhaps a little less now, over Richard Hein in third. Danny Watts makes his final pitstop in the Strakka Racing Ginetta-Zytek. Pompidou may catch him if the stop is slow. The Team LNT sister car is still circulating, with Greg Mansell currently driving, but in 29th overall.

16:51
The overall leader is into the pilane - and it's a very speedy entry from Speedy racing. Unfortunately, it's those "louvres" again, and the team has to fit a new set to the front, and Olivier Panis goes through to take the lead, and then Turner comes through too, so it may not even be third for Fasser, if Enge can catch him before he's back up to speed.

16:55
Pompidou has passed the Strakka car, which now has Nick Leventis in the cockpit.

17:06
Two laps to go. Panis leads now by nearly a lap, so the pressure has eased.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo: Marcus Potts / CMC

17:07 CHEQUERED FLAG
There is a tension and excitement in the RML garage, with a bigger gathering than the team has seen allseason, crowded around the monitors, watching the laps tick by. Then, with Tommy entering the final sector, the entire team rushed to the pitwall, and started clambering up the debris fencing to welcome Tommy across the line.

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo: Marcus Potts / CMC

Fists punched skywards, they cheered the red, white and blue Lola across the line before jumping down to exchange hugs, handshakes and unfamilar emotions. It's been a long time coming - an entire season, no less - but at last RML is up there where it belongs, on the Le Mans Series podium. One can only ask . . . what might have happened if the brave decision made ahead of this weekend had been taken earlier.

17:09
Passing the team's pit garage, the #33 Speedy Sebah Lola slows down alongside to cheering engineers and crew to acknowledge the plaudits of the team and supporters. The #12 Signature Plus LMP1Oreca Judd ploughs directly into the back of it. There's a challenge for the scrutineers!

LMP2 Result

Pos No. O/all Team Driver Car
Laps
Best Lap
1 33 8 Speedy Sebah Pompidou/Luenberger/Kane Lola B08/80 Coupé
190
1:38.974
2
25
10 RML AD Group Erdos/Newton Lola B08/86 Coupé
186
1:39.340
3
24
11 Oak Racing Nicolet/Hein Pescarolo Mazda
184
1:42.316
4
45
14 Team WFR Manning/Firth/Hughes WF-01 Zytek
179
1:39.692
5 41 15 GAC Racing Team Ojeh/Gosselin/Peter Zytek 07S
179
1:40.082
6
26
16 Bruichladdich Bruneau/Greaves/Sini Radical SR9 AER
179
1:45.194
7
28
17 Ibanez Racing Ibanez/da Rocha/Cavailhes Courage AER
175
1:42.138
8
38
18 Pegasus Racing Schell/Thiron/Metz Courage AER
174
1:46.570
9
37
20 WR Salini Salini/Salini/Gommendy WR Zytek
174
1:40.402
      Unclassified    
 
10
43
36 Q8 Oils Hache Jorda/Cortes/Nieto Lucchini Judd
135
1:46.547
11
35
38 Oak Racing Ajlani/Lahaye Pescarolo Mazda
138
1:39.266
12
40
40 Quifel ASM Amaral/Pla Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S
32
1:38.623

 

LMP2 Podium.  RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  David Lord / Dailysportscar.

Radio & On-line: Full coverage of all the weekend's events and happening's were broadcast live by Radio Le Mans, including the entire race, from start to finish. Articles and features about the Le Mans Series, including highlights and post-race assessment, are available as podcasts. Click the button below for access.

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Full results can be found by following the appropriate highlighted link here.

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Le Mans Series 2009

Round 5. Silverstone 1000 Kilometres.
September 11th 2009
Race Day

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo: Marcus Potts / CMC

 

 

 

 

 

Mason at Work! RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo: Marcus Potts / CMC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  Peter May / Dailysportscar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  David Lord / Dailysportscar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  David Lord / Dailysportscar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo:  David Lord / Dailysportscar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrations! RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo: Marcus Potts / CMC

Celebrations! RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo: Marcus Potts / CMC

Celebrations! RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo: Marcus Potts / CMC

Podium. RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo: Marcus Potts / CMC

Celebrations! RML AD Group  Le Mans Series, Silverstone. Photo: Marcus Potts / CMC