Two key races in the Michelin Le Mans Cup took place at the weekend, with the Road to Le Mans supporting the 24 Hours of Le Mans and for Nielsen Racing, it proved to be a roller-coaster with Tony Wells and Colin Noble dominating the first 55-minute race, while forced to retire from the second. Most importantly, the #7 driver duo together take the title lead by nine points with just two rounds remaining.
There were a few pivotal moments to the race meeting, the first being the early Safety Car in Thursday’s race. With Tony running a fine sixth under the caution period, the team opted not to follow the leaders but pitted him given the opportunity. Next time around, the former-front runners took the mandatory stop, but by that point, the race was back under green flag conditions and that gave Colin the race lead, a fantastic call from the team.
It was an advantage that he would not relinquish, in fact, he further extended the gap at the front of the field to over seven seconds to record his second win of the season and to move to the top of the championship standings.
The next key moment came in Saturday’s second race, where Tony ran in 11th position but found himself wide at Tertre Rouge. It was a fine save to return the car to the circuit, but damage to the left-rear legality panel forced the team to pit for repairs and it was game over. The final lap of the race saw title rival Scott Andrews off track and into the barriers at the same corner, so while the second race didn’t go to plan, the championship status quo was restored.
There were notable performances in the sister #28 car with Tristan Nunez vaulting from 15th on the grid to eighth. Ultimately his teammate took the chequered flag in ninth place in the second race. Nick Adcock was out of luck in the #27 Ligier, suffering a puncture heading into Indianapolis and subsequently unable to keep the car out of the unforgiving tyre barrier, while the #20 entry of Mark Crader and Alex Mortimer retired from the first race but were able to finish 21st in the second.
The team now prepare for another classic race circuit, Spa Francorchamps, where the routine two-hour format alongside the European Le Mans Series round returns next month.
Source. BAM Motorsports
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