Running second in class and about to use a well timed 5th hour pit stop to propel us up towards the race leader, it was all was looking good for an Embassy Racing Le Mans Series podium at the 1000 kilometres of the Nurburgring on Sunday (1st July) – until, that was, a few drops of oil escaped onto the red hot exhaust and ignited into a mid section mini fireball.
Although the incident, a relatively minor mishap, was dealt with quickly and efficiently – safety concerns required that the bodywork be removed for a quick inspection before the car was given the all clear and sent back out. With the racing in LMP2 being so competitive, the short delay meant that we rejoined the race in 5th and as there were no other issues for any of the teams up front during the rest of the race, that was where we finished.
Only positives
So 5th place for Embassy Racing at the Nurburgring – there can only be positives. Following the disappointments of the first two rounds we came to the Nurburgring having finally brought the Radical SR9 into Embassy mode. Hundreds of man hours had gone in to making it our car. We had completed a full programme of testing – there was nowhere to hide and thankfully, right from the off, we didn’t need it.
Using free practice to set the car up for the wonderfully dramatic circuit with its combination of technical sections and fast flowing turns and straights, the team was able to sneak a few more tenths with every little tweak. Both Warren and Neil had time in the car and by the end of the third hour of free practice, they were full of praise for its handling, performance and reliability. Comfort was still something of an issue, but with a bit of grit and determination the two were able to coax the black and white beauty around in excellent times under the 1 minute 50 seconds mark.
Qualifying
Saturday afternoon’s qualifying was the first test that really counted for the significantly re-engineered Embassy Radical. Free practice times indicated that a number of LMP2 cars might have the advantage on a run of fewer laps, so it was just a case of go out and give it our best. Warren was trusted with registering our qualifying time and with only the two prototype classes on track, it was going to be clear enough for everyone to post an honest time.
The good form of earlier in the weekend continued and within just a few laps Warren had completed a flying lap around the 5km circuit in 1:48.1 – good enough for 5th in class and 17th on the grid overall.
On completing his qualifying stint, the generally cautious Mr Hughes said:
“That was the best the car has ever been. It was working to its full potential out there and I have driven it as fast as I think it will go. I am very happy with it and think that we will have a very competitive car out there tomorrow”.
Race day
The Eifel Mountains are fabulously picturesque, but totally unpredictable when it comes to weather. The forecast was OK, but the tendency towards micro climate of this part of Germany meant that it could just as easily be hail storming. It was a relief then to see the Embassy Girls fully unwrapped for their appearance on the grid on Sunday morning, which indicated very firmly that this would start a dry and possibly even a sunny race.
Warren was in for the first double stint and got away from the disappearing starting lights perfectly. Quickly settling in to a sensible rhythm, he kept a rapid pace with the four LMP2 cars in front of him to stay within striking distance and comfortably 5th. After one hour Warren pitted for fuel and his consistent driving had presented the crew with an opportunity to pinch a place at the stop. The stop went like a dream and Warren went out ahead of the Zytek to take 4th place. Continuing his good work for another hour, Warren brought the car in for Neil just as the 3rd place number 21 Bruichladdich Radical decided to pit.
Up to 3rd
With both cars pitting at the same time it was just a matter of who could get out first. Unfortunately for the number 21 car, a fault on the starter motor required work and this gave Neil the chance to join the race for the first time in 3rd and a wonderful podium position. Neil grasped the opportunity with both hands and began the job of hauling 2nd place Quifel ASM Lola back towards him. And haul he did.
Up to 2nd
Struggling with an already less than relaxing posture, the in-car communication radio came lose from its position and Neil had to jam it under his thigh and drive like a contortionist for the whole of the first stint. Following fuel and a radio refit, Neil set about gaining 2nd place. Driving like a demon, he soon hunted the ASM car down and with pure driving skill he passed the AER engined Lola to take 2nd place. Pulling away from the newly relegated 3rd place car and gaining on the class leading RML MG Lola – this was getting good.
So close…
Bringing the car into the pits for the final driver change over, Neil had reduced the gap to the front by 40 seconds and with a good stop Warren could expect to join the fray less than a minute behind the race leader. The key phrase here is good stop, because this is the moment when a borrowed oil replenisher created too much pressure on a return pipe in our oil system, this in turn caused a hairline split which spilled oil onto the exhaust which caught fire. It was just one of those things that happen in racing but it could so easily have been avoided. And who knows just what might have been. Anyhow, you know the rest – Warren rejoined in 5th and that’s where we stayed.
…and yet
The fact on its own that we finished 5th is a wonderful achievement about which the whole team can and is proud. The fact that we were running 2nd and were looking favourite for a podium takes the shine from the final position somewhat. However, ultimately this was a fabulously successful weekend for Embassy Racing and its LMS challenge and gives us even more impetus and encouragement to take to the next round at Spa in August.
Hopefully we’ll see you there.
