HVM Status GP enjoyed a promising start to the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours to be running 12th in the LMP2 class just before the six-hour mark, quarter distance of the race.
The team’s VISIT FLORIDA-backed Lola-Judd B12/80 Coupe started the race from 17th on the LMP2 grid. Britain’s Johnny Mowlem drove the opening two stints, but most of the first was undertaken under the safety car. Mowlem then raced up to 12th position in class, and in his next stint he rose to 11th. On the way he set the car’s fastest lap so far of this Le Mans week.
Swiss Jonathan Hirschi then drove for two stints, but in the first there was a heavy rain shower. Hirschi pitted for wet-weather Dunlop tyres but was soon forced to return for slicks after the rain abated, before setting a good pace towards the end of his driving shift.
Canadian Tony Burgess then climbed aboard the HVM Status GP Lola for a triple stint, which was ongoing when the quarter-distance mark was reached at 2100. He consolidated the car’s 12th position in the 22-car LMP2 class, usually approximately one lap clear of the closest rival.
HVM Status GP technical director Rob Arnott said: “All three drivers have done very well in what have been very challenging conditions. We made a tyre call based on sudden rain and where we were on the track, and it was unfortunate for us that the shower passed quickly. That’s the nature of things in the Le Mans 24 Hours! The car has been running well and our pit-stops have been excellent – the guys have done an absolutely terrific job. There’s a long night ahead and it’s still early days.”
The HVM Status GP Lola is racing in the livery of new primary sponsor VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation. The car includes the branding of VISIT FLORIDA’s travel planning website VISITFLORIDA.com, Viva Florida 500 and Brand USA.
Driver quotes:
Johnny Mowlem : “The start was very civilised among the LMP2 class, with everyone being very careful. The car felt good and I started going quite quickly. Once the safety car went in, I was setting a pace one second quicker than our qualifying time. Later in my stint I had a slide in the Porsche Curves so I just concentrated on taking things a little bit easier and settling in for a consistent run.”
Jonathan Hirschi : “It was really difficult. We lost a little bit on our tyre strategy, but when it starts raining you always want to take the safe decision – you never know how long it will rain. OK, we lost a little bit of time, but the car is in one piece! I had never driven the car here in totally dry conditions before but it was good. A lot of things can still happen.”
Source : HVM Status GP