RML - Back to Winning Ways
Wellingborough: 14th April – For Immediate Release
RML -
Back to Winning Ways
It
was a dream return to international sportscar racing for RML at the opening
round of the European Le Mans Series at Donington Park on Easter Saturday.
The
RML Saleen S7-R clamed first place in the GTS category, 9th
overall and in the process beating the works-supported Konrad Saleen Team by
a comfortable three-lap margin.
It was
just reward for the hard work put in by the whole RML staff in the weeks
leading up to the race.
Despite
having minimal running prior to the event, the RML S7-R ran virtually
faultlessly during the practice and qualifying for the event. A small
alternator problem on Thursday cost some valuable set-up time but did not
prevent a competitive time to be set in the single 30 minute qualifying
session on Friday.
Bruno
Lambert took the start and never lost touch with the hard charging Oliver
Gavin who lead in the Konrad S7-R. Bruno’s early strategy saved fuel and
preserved the Dunlop tyres, allowing him to stay on track and push harder
for six laps after the Konrad car had made its first stop.
During
the hand-over to Ian McKellar, the pit crew completed their first racing
pitstop significantly faster that the competition and ensured that the Ian
rejoined only three seconds adrift of the class lead and perfectly
positioned to take advantage of any slip-ups in the heavy race traffic.
Franz Konrad was now at the wheel of the GTS leader but was called to the
pits by officials for overtaking under yellow caution flags. During the stop
and go penalty the RML Saleen swept by the pits into a lead that was never
relinquished.
Typical
RML ingenuity was employed when the pit-to-car radio link went down. As
further problems beset the second placed Konrad team, white tape and black
marker pen applied to the RML pit board informed Ian to “Ease off” and
by the time Bruno took over the car for the run to the flag a three-lap
cushion had been established.
The next round of the ELMS is Jarama, Spain on May 20th but before that the RML Team will be at the Le Mans test on Sunday 6th May.
Quotes:
Ray Mallock – Managing Director RML
“This
has been a great day for RML and all our staff who have been involved in
engineering the Saleen. The car has always been quick and proved its
reliability by winning the Sebring 12 Hours with the Konrad team.”
“This
week has been a steep learning curve for everyone, especially Bruno and Ian
who sat in the car for the first time on Wednesday. This result is a tribute
to all the efforts of everyone at RML at Wellingborough and the support of
our trade suppliers and commercial partners.”
“To
come away with a win is very satisfying, but the work is only just starting,
now we have to prepare for the Le Mans test and the next race at Jarama.”
Bruno
Lambert
“Thanks
to Ray and the whole team. We’re still learning and we will get even
better. This result bodes well for Le Mans and the rest of the ELMS season.
I can’t wait to get behind the wheel again for some more testing.”
Ian McKellar
“I had no problems, the car is good to drive. Before the race we were talking about getting down to a good pace and getting a finish, to come away with a win is a bonus.“
[ends]
Archived
audio coverage and digital images of the race are available at www.americanlemans.com
Contact: John Hindhaugh at RML +44 1933 402 440, mobile +44 8750 825 348