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Lotus Cup Europe 2009 - Round 7

Le Mans Bugatti race report

OCTOBer - 24th-25th

 

Introduction

After an action packed season at the best circuits Europe has to offer, the Lotus Cup Europe finale took place at the Le Mans Bugatti circuit.  Colin Chapman vowed never to return after falling foul of the scrutineers for the 24 hour race; however we hope he’ll forgive us this visit, scene of several class victories in the legendary event for the marque.

Practice and Qualifying

Overnight rain continued on into Saturday and conditions were similar to those at Spa, just three weeks ago.  Gavin Kirby put in some fast times to open his weekend, well ahead of the rest of his class and looked to be in contention for victory.  David Seear headed the Exiges with second, from Christophe Lisandre’s 2-Eleven, whilst the Rasse brothers were also on form, Gregory ahead of John, the pair sandwiched by Olivier Cunat and modified class runner Peter Entenfellner.  His compatriot Klaus Requat was next, with Mark Gooday’s 2-Eleven and Dan Norris-Jones’ modified Exige finishing the top ten.  Production was headed by James Knight in twelfth, just ahead of Pete Storey and Steve Williams.

With just the shortest of breaks until qualifying and none in the weather, Scott Cruickshank found a large chunk of time to claim pole position, a couple of tenths faster than Kirby, who was having gear selection problems, restricting his running.  They were both in a class of their own, two seconds ahead of the modified car of Harvey, himself half a second clear of David Seear’s Exige.

Third place in 2-Eleven was claimed by Lisandre, and then we had Gregory Rasse (Exige), Mark Gooday (2-Eleven), John Rasse (Exige), Entenfeller (modified) and Cunat (Exige) in the top ten.  Knight was sitting on pole in Production, his 12th place a couple of tenths in front of Pete Storey in 14th, who would be starting next to Mick Edwards.

Race One

As soon as the pack rounded the final corner to take the rolling start, the lead became a private battle between Cruickshank and Kirby.  The latter drew alongside towards the chicane on the way up the hill to the Dunlop Bridge but Cruickshank just held the similar car of his rival off to lead past the finish line on lap one. 

He was unable to shake off his pursuer, though and the gap see-sawed throughout the duration of the race in what was a tense duel.

Behind, Lisandre had Harvey to worry about rather than any designs on victory and the Briton’s modified class 340R would make the final podium place, whilst the Rasse brothers and Gooday tracked closely behind. 

David Seear and Olivier Cunat were in the mix but the two came to grief on the run down from the Dunlop Bridge after Seear spun.  Cunat was able to continue after some time but Seear’s Exige looked very much the worse for wear and was buried deep in the gravel. 

Gooday was to pass the Rasse brothers to take a fine fifth place, with Gregory heading John for a sibling one-two in class.

Leading production was Edwards, keeping Antoine Leblois in sight and followed by Knight, albeit dropping off the pace. 

This would eventually benefit Storey, the normally-aspirated Exige driver becoming a threat to Edwards in the late stages.  Behind Knight in 12th place, Denis Van den Savel took third in the Exige class.

Recording a well-earned first victory to round off his first year of racing, Cruickshank was ecstatic and with better weather forecast for Sunday’s race, would Kirby take his revenge?

Race Two

At the start Cruickshank converted pole into the lead, with Kirby slotting behind, whilst Harvey, Lisandre and Gooday slotted line astern towards the first corner.  However, by the time they’d completed the lap Kirby and Lisandre had broken through into the lead and Cruickshank was fighting off Gooday.  Perhaps not as comfortable in the drier conditions, the Scotsman then lost another place and looked to be defending from Harvey, who had also suffered in the opening skirmishes.

Behind them Cunat was leading the Exige class from the Rasse brothers but barely lasted half distance, pulling into the pits to leave the warring siblings to settle matters, some way ahead of Van den Savel.

Back up front whilst Kirby continued to lead, Lisandre was keeping him honest, the pair starting to pull away from Gooday, who had his mirrors full of Cruickshank and the pair being caught by Harvey.  Cruickshank found a way past and very soon afterwards made up another place as Lisandre spun away his chances of victory, ending up in fifth place.  Harvey then made it a familiar podium to the first race, albeit with a change of leader.

Behind the top five, Verheist was having a much better day than recent form has allowed, with a feisty Chatterway just behind, then the second-placed Modified car of Norris-Jones heading the Rasse Exiges, John claiming the win over Gregory.

Whilst the changes were taking place up front, the Production runners were putting on a great show with many of the runners in contention for the win.  Knight and Williams made contact early on, which put paid to the latter’s chances, as he had to pit to attend to light damage.  On the ragged edge for much of the race, given a couple more laps he’d have been right in the action.

With Knight delayed, Broad assumed the class lead, then Franks joined in, the three of them trading places.  Next Phillips got involved, taking advantage of the squabble to lead.  However, whilst these four were tripping each other up, Edwards cruised up behind them and picked off the places one by one, before pulling out a useful gap by the line.  The final order behind him was Phillips, Broad and Franks, with Knight unable to make the finish.

Summary

With the best and worst of conditions and with entertainment provided throughout the field, this was a great end to the season. 

Overall the 2009 season has provided great action and a fascinating dynamic between the UK-based drivers and their mainland counterparts, which has led to differing grids and extremely close racing.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year.

 

 

 

Kevin Ritson

Press Officer LoTRDC

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