LMES
First LMES victory for Scuderia Ecosse

By Lindsay Morle
Nov 14, 2005, 09:00

Le Mans Endurance Series – Round Five
13 November 2005

The Scuderia Ecosse team took another leap forward yesterday with a superb, hard-fought victory at Istanbul Park by Nathan Kinch and Andrew Kirkaldy.

Kirkaldy started the race from pole position, after a great battle in qualifying with Jaime Melo in the GPC Ferrari. The race began in damp and gloomy conditions requiring Kirkaldy to start on intermediate tyres. The weather then deteriorated and the switch was later made onto full wet tyres.

One thing the team has learnt this year is that the 1000km races are never short of drama, and this race was no exception. The Ferrari’s wiper stopped working after the second pit stop making it incredibly difficult for Kinch and Kirkaldy to see where they were going for the most part of the race!

Both drivers were on great form, driving with the same determination that won them the British GT title this year. A particularly stunning drive by Kirkaldy saw him catch and pass the GPC Ferrari with just five laps to go, taking the lead. Drudi tried to retake the lead on the last lap but spun, and a delighted Kirkaldy sailed across the line to take the chequered flag.

This result also secures the runner-up spot in the GT2 Championship for Scuderia Ecosse.

Stewart Roden, Team Principal:
“Both the guys did a fantastic job today, I’m very proud of them. To take the last win of the season is always extra special as we can go into the winter on a high. It’s a good feeling to know we can win in the LMES, especially under such difficult conditions!”

GT2 RACE RESULT
1. Kinch/Kirkaldy (Ferrari 360 GTC) Scuderia Ecosse
2. Rosa/Drudi/Melo (Ferrari 360) GPC Sport
3. Collin/Felbermayr Snr/Felbermayr Jnr (Porsche GT3 RS) Seikel Motorsport
4. Nielson/Thyrring/Ehret (Porsche GT3 RSR) Sebah Automotive
5. Lambert/Lefort/Palltala (Porsche GT3 RSR) Ice Pol Racing Team

DNF/Not Classified:
Stanton/Hartshorne (TVR Tuscan T400R) Racesport Peninsula TVR
Crevels/Bleekemolen (Spyker C8 Spyder GT2 R) Spyker Squadron
Groppi/Moccia/Camathias (Porsche GT3 RS) Autorlando Sport
Hughes/Kane/Tomlinson (TVR T400R) Team LNT
Hynes/Pearce/Kimber-Smith (TVR T400R) Team LNT

Pole Position:
Kirkaldy 1:55.156

ENDS
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