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-
.
- Races
8 - 9 - 8th
- 9th July
,
Le Mans - "Bugatti"
Circuit
. 2
x 30 minute "Sprint" races ' 
In
a recent poll among "Equipe"GTS
drivers, many shared the desire to visit famous circuits and
especially those circuits where each driver had never driven before.
We were therefore delighted to be able to visit what is probably the
most famous and historic motor racing circuit in the World. . . . . Le
Mans. Another
coup for the "Equipe"GTS
race series, as we visited the Sarthe's 2.6 mile Bugatti
circuit uses a part of the famous Le Mans
24hour circuit, including the full start line with the pit
complex leading uphill to the Dunlop Bridge chicane. Under
the bridge and before the Esses, the Bugatti circuit turns
sharp right and then leads into a complex of straights and bends to
eventually lead you back to the Ford chicane and then the
start of another lap. . . 
Bad
luck befell Ron Cody in the preceding day's practice session when
the engine's oil pump drive gear sheared leaving Ron to spectate for
the weekend as the field set about qualifying. James
Cottingham headed the field hard pushed by the imaculateley prepared
and driven Triumph TR4 of Neil Howe. Trevor Kemp's Elva
Courier and Tony Wilson Spratt in his WSM Sprite headed their
classes. Race
One saw James Cottingham leave all others off the line to take an
early advantage, however it was Tom Smith in his own MGB which
caught the leader at half distance. But with only 3 laps to the end
tom Smith retired with a broken half shaft. Neil Howe inherited the
second place with Malcolm Johnson is his own MGB taking the third step of the
podium. 
After
an excellent BBQ hosted by John Andon and with thanks to The
Barley Mow at West Horsley, the following morning's start
saw the grid line up in the finishing order of the previous days
race. Tom Smith took no prisoners on the opening laps and
crossed the line in fourth position at the end of the first lap and
was merely seconds behind the leader in second position at the end
of the third. With
suspect head gasket problem and an overheating engine James
Cottingham held onto the lead long enough to take the chequered flag
from the MGBs of Tom Smith, Malcolm Johnson and Brian Lambert with
Neil Howe taking class honours but only in fifth position overall. Class
winners included Tony Wilson Spratt, Trevor Kemp and Nick Wilkins. 
/ A
very much enjoyed meeting at a most excellent venue where
Equipe"GTS
hope to return in the next season or two.
"Equipe"GTS
lap record
James
Cottingham MGB -
2.06.96 - 8th July 2007
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