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Le Mans Series 2007
Round 2. Monza 1000 Kilometers. April 13th-15th 2007
Friday
Report

The 2007 Le Mans Series kicks off with a welcome return to the famous Autodroma di Monza in Italy – the historic venue now firmly back on the motorsport calendar after an enforced absence of over a year, thanks to the complaints of a very small number of local residents. Given that the track, which occupies most of a green oasis of wooded parkland at the heart of Monza, is surrounded on all sides by housing, it’s no surprise that noise can be intrusive. However, the commercial value of the Autodroma to the local economy, and the fact that the track has been at the heart of Italian motorsport for eighty-five years, eventually weighed sufficiently heavily in the argument, and the restrictions were relaxed.

As a result, it is two years since contemporary Le Mans cars last raced in Italy, and there has been much anticipation about their return, not least because this weekend’s Monza 1000 Kilometers also sees the competitive debut of the all-new Peugeot 908 – France’s great hope for outright victory in June’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

As far as RML is concerned, it’s business as usual for Mike Newton, Thomas Erdos and the team’s MG Lola EX264. Over the winter months the car’s development has continued, although much of this has been beneath the covers and unlikely to be immediately apparent. With two full seasons tucked under its belt, two class victories at Le Mans, and two very close-run championships, the MG is probably the best-proven car on the track. Indeed, the car’s very success has played no small part in ensuring that the Le Mans Series LMP2 category heads into 2006 as one of the most fiercely contested in sportscar racing, with new cars, teams and drivers attracted to a class that offers great racing, good competition, and growing recognition. Thomas Erdos was unbeaten in qualifying throughout 2006, but last month’s official test at Paul Ricard demonstrated just how tough the year ahead is going to be. “The truth is, our competitors have raised their game,” admitted Erdos after that two-day test. “No doubt we’re in for a very demanding season, but this is a challenge we’re prepared to face,” he said.

Adam Wiseberg, Motorsport Director at AD Holdings, recognises that the playing field has changed, but also relishes the opportunities this represents. “It’s exciting to see how much more competitive this class has become this year,” he said. “There are some very quick drivers, and some good-looking cars, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.” While several cars have indeed suggested that they are going to be very quick, including the Quifel ASM Lola B05/40 (Amaral, de Castro and Burgeno), the Barazi Zytek (Barazi, Vergers and Ojeh) and the Embassy Racing Radical (Hughes and Cunningham), RML has an excellent track record of reliability and development, and both drivers are comfortable in their car and confident of the team behind them.

First FreePractice

The action started with the first of two free practice sessions scheduled for Friday; the cars heading out onto the track at just gone half-twelve. Tommy Erdos was first to venture out in the RML MG Lola, and was quickly into his stride, and was soon setting regular laps in the mid-1:43s – sufficient to ensure that the MG topped the times in LMP2. After nine laps the Brazilian brought the MG back down the pitlane and the team set-to, making some setting adjustments, before Mike Newton stepped aboard for a similar number of laps. His times were impressive, and a best of 1:45.563 would have been good enough for eighth in LMP2.

As it was, Tommy’s earlier lap had held the top slot in the category for most of the session, but as Mike prepared for his last laps, de Castro in the #40 ASM Lola moved ahead with a best so far of 1:41.25, followed a little while later by Vergers in the Barazi Epsilon Zytek, and then Warren Hughes in the Embassy Radical.

With ten minutes of the period remaining, Tommy took over the controls once again, and on his second flyer set an improved time of 1:42.289 to move back to second fastest in P2, although just ahead of the flag signalling the end of the practice session, Vergers clocked 1:42.287 to better Tommy’s time by just two-one-thousandths of a second.

So first blood of the weekend to the Portuguese Lola team, confirming the form they’d revealed at Paul Ricard. “This is only the first outing, and it’s a couple of years since we’ve been here,” said Phil Marker, Team Manager at RML. “Our first task has been to set down a fresh marker, and we can then build upon that. Next session we’ll try a bit more downforce and make sure everything’s hunky-dory, but it’s steady progress, and in the right direction.”

What placed the session into some perspective was the realisation that the car’s times – and especially those being set by Mike – we’re on a par with those from two years ago. “We’re there already, straight off,” confirmed Barker, “but Mike’s significantly quicker than he was last time we were here, and this has only been the first outing.” Mike appeared quite pleased, although modestly suggested that “there’s so much more to come from the car yet!” Adam Wiseberg, ever the sage with figures to hand, confirmed that Mike had not only set a personal best for the 5.7 kilometer circuit, but had also acquitted himself well when compared with others in the class. “Mike was very much among the quickest of the “second” drivers – only one other went faster,” he said.

Over a late lunch the team contemplated the first day’s action. “It’s good to feel that things have started again,” observed Wiseberg, “and it’s particularly nice to be back here at Monza after a two-year break. It’s a fabulous circuit, right in the middle of the town, and steeped in history. Anyone who visits here really has to go and see the original banking. It is so impressive, and very, very steep!” Hopefully it is on the agenda for tomorrow, and photos will follow.

Second FreePractice

Throughout the first session the MG had been running without the downforce-generating dive-planes that typically sit either side of the nose, and rear wing had been fixed at its lowest setting. For the day’s second session, starting at five o’clock, a single pair of planes would be fitted, and the rear wing angle increased slightly. Once again, Tommy was given charge of the car while the team worked to perfect the set-up.

The fourth lap - his third proper flyer – was sufficient to establish quickest in P2, with a time of 1:43.431 achieving 8th overall. His next, at 1:42.508, moved up to 6th overall, and then his third clocked 1:42.487. It would be the MG's fastest of the day, but as he headed back down the pitlane to have some further adjustments made to the aerodynamics, he wasn’t to know that. The car was hauled back into the garage so the team could complete the work more quickly, and almost simultaneously, Vergers swept by on the track to record a new best of 1:41.217, followed soon afterwards by Burgeno in the ASM Lola, which moved the Portuguese second with 1:41.399.

With half the session completed, Tommy emerged once again. In the meantime, Vergers had improved the class best-of-the-day forwards onto 1:41.025 for the Barazi Zytek, but neither Tommy, nor anyone else, was going to be given the opportunity to respond. Moments later a vast balloon of flame erupted in the pitlane, two doors up from RML.

Whilst attempting to refuel the #73 Luc Alphand C5-R Corvette, a hose had become disconnected from the rig assembly. Litres of fuel had washed across the side of the car and across the pitlane before the heat of the side exhaust set everything alight. In milliseconds, the entire car was engulfed. The refueller was caught in the main blast of heat and flame, and staggered back into his garage. A second crew member, standing ahead of the nozzle, was also doused in fuel and ran, his overalls alight, straight to the RML garage, where the MG personnel were quick to put out the flames, help him out of his overalls, and offer first aid.

The flames spread across the car itself, but mechanics from adjacent garages, as well as marshals, were quick to respond to the situation. Fire extinguishers were rushed from all around, and in a surprisingly short time, the flames were under control, white powder settling across the tarmac as a pall of blackening smoke drifted across the grandstands.

The RML mechanics continued to attend to the injured crewmember until the first of two ambulances arrived, effectively blocking the pitlane. With access to all garages restricted, and the exact nature of the situation undetermined, the session was red flagged. It did not resume.

This effectively ended any plans RML might have held to test further changes to the MG’s settings, but sufficient had been learned by Tommy’s final laps to allow Phil Barker to end the day with some positive thoughts on how best to start Saturday. In the meantime, the news we have so far is that both Luc Alphand crew members are suffering from burns, one more severe than the other, but the exact extent has yet to be confirmed. They are both being detained in hospital, and we will post more news when we know it. (Update here)

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