RML’s Thomas Erdos added his first Le Mans pole to a long list of racing achievements when he set a best of 3:41.555 in the team’s MG Lola EX264 to secure the top grid position in LMP2 for this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
Having set the benchmark, the Brazilian then handed over the MG to his two co-drivers so that they could complete their requisite qualifying laps. Andy Wallace enjoyed his first run in anger in the RML machine, completing two very competitive flying laps, before handing on to Mike Newton, who also made two circuits of the track.
With conditions nearing their best as the evening cooled, Erdos was strapped back into the car and given some softer race tyres and a free rein. He grasped the opportunity, and set a succession of blisteringly quick laps, each one faster than the last, to culminate in a best that would stand proud of the rest of the LMP2 field by more than two seconds.
“That’s mission accomplished,” declared Ray Mallock, team owner at RML. “Not only in terms of pole position, but also to get all the drivers successfully qualified, and at the same time establish a race set-up for the car that all three are comfortable with. Getting pole on top of that is a bonus, but one we’re all delighted to accept.”
Phil Barker was especially pleased for Thomas Erdos. “That’s three poles out of three races so far this season, and I’m delighted for Tommy. He’s worked so hard for this, and to be top of the tree at a prestigious event like this is tremendous.”
The team will now spend Friday preparing the car for the race; a process that will include the fitting of a new race engine, and a multitude of other ready-prepared components. “It will be very satisfying if the rest of the weekend goes as smoothly as qualifying,” said Adam Wiseberg, Motorsport Director of AD Holdings, the team’s principal sponsor.
We’ll have to wait until five pm on Sunday to discover if they do.
http://www.mg-lola.co.uk/ex264.htm