Not a bad way to end our first year in the Le Mans Series, a fantastic podium finish at the Mil Milhas, the 1000 miles of Interlagos.
It was not all that long ago that we made the last minute decision just as the season was about to get underway, to change our car from a Pilbeam MP93 to a Radical SR9, so the second place finish at the final round has provided more than fitting conclusion to what has been an exciting and eventful year.
Embassy is one of only three LMP2 teams that has competed in the full six rounds of the series and for us to have lined up, and performed well against more experienced and even factory supported teams, is a remarkable achievement.
Mil Milhas – Interlagos
With all previous rounds of the championship being 1000 kilometres, the 1000 miles or 1600 kilometre race at Interlagos was always going to be a stiffer test for us as well as the other entrants. And so it proved. Having recruited Sao Paulo native and experienced F1 test pilot Mario Haberfeld to join our regular drivers Warren and Darren, we were hoping to gain some local knowledge advantage and qualifying the car second in class and sixth overall looked promising for the 8 hour plus race.
As the lights went out at mid-day on Saturday 10th November, the drama was all about the series big boys as one of the Peugeot’s stalled on the grid. This meant it would take the rolling start from the back of the pack and put Embassy into fifth overall immediately.
The race settled down quickly with Warren setting a good pace in second place. As the driver changes and fuel stops unfolded, excellent Embassy strategy saw Darren complete lap 123 in first place. Brilliant driving and continued clever decisions meant that Mario took control of the car in first place and continued to look comfortable.
Things were definitely going to plan as Warren got back into the car for the second time. Six and a half hours in and a local GT car made a mistake and clipped the Embassy Radical. All appeared Ok until six laps later the car suffered major rear suspension failure. Although the car was recovered to the pits things looked bad – but having just about completed minimum distance, all that was required to finish the race was to make sure the car was rebuilt in time to take the chequered flag.
Hard work and determination ensued and the number 45 car rejoined with six laps to go and Mario took the chequered flag to cross the line in a magnificent second place.
Jonathan said:
“Interlagos was a dream come true for me. It is one of the world’s biggest sportscar races and to be able to compete there was just unbelievable. The team worked very hard and was it not for some bad luck we might even have come away with a win and an overall podium alongside the might of Peugeot. I am delighted to end the season on a high and look forward to making a big impact on endurance racing in 2008 with our brand new cars.”
When you think that a privately owned team, in its first ever LMP2 season, took on the best the world has to offer in one of the most gruelling races on the endurance circuit and came home with a podium – it is little surprise that we are attracting more than our fair share of attention from the racing fraternity.
So that’s it for 2007, but there’s plenty happening, so keep checking in and we’ll update you on all things going forward for 2008.
Embassy Season
Monza
Without any time for testing, the first race of the season at Monza was essentially a shakedown, and unfortunately the package was found wanting. The car completed just 50 laps, but lessons were being learned and the professionalism and teamwork of the Embassy crew shone through as one important positive.
Valencia
After the first race, the team worked tirelessly to improve the car. Valencia was next and the package was looking much better, however, an irritating component failure led to a DNF.
Nurburgring
Nurburgring was up next and for the first time, the Radical was presented in full Embassy trim. It showed. Running second in class and about to use a well timed 5th hour pit stop to challenge for first, all was looking good. That was until a few drops of oil escaped onto the red hot exhaust and ignited into a fireball. The effect was dramatic though not serious but the time required to ensure safety meant that Embassy could only recover to take the chequered flag in 5th.
Spa
And so to the evocative undulations of Spa, where having qualified in 3rd place and posted the fastest LMP2 lap of the race, the fragility of the Embassy package once again prevented the team securing its first podium finish.
Silverstone
British summertime, glorious weather, hundreds of guests and sponsors, it was Embassy’s home round at Silverstone. Excellent qualifying and five and half hours of flawless race performance saw the team in a strong second place looking to launch an attack for the lead. With only minutes to go, a loose wheel caused a spin, the car was delayed in the gravel and then in the pits and the result was cruelly snatched away.
Interlagos
Brazil and the final round of the season, the Mil Milhas at the famous Carlos Pace circuit Interlagos. Regular drivers Warren Hughes and Darren Manning were joined by local hero Mario Haberfeld. The 1000 miles race was to be a real test of man and machinery and although the number 45 Radical suffered a major suspension failure whilst leading the race at the six-and-a-half hour mark, the team pulled out all the stops to ensure that Mario took the chequered flag second in class – a first podium for the Embassy Le Mans effort and a great platform to launch its 2008 campaign.
