06.07.2004 Caught out by changing conditions at the Nurburgring AND suffering mechanical problems, JMB Racing were happy to reach the finish line AND score points that keeps them in the LMES GT hunt

The Nürburging Formula One track was the location for the second round of the 2004 Le Mans Endurance Series on Sunday.

And just as during the first round in Monza, the weather was to be a determining factor, with low temperatures, overcast skies and frequent showers.

However, Roman Rustinov and Stéphane Daoudi were able to count on a competitive car for all track conditions and the nr 17 JMB Racing Ferrari 360 Modena claimed third place in its category on the grid after the two qualifying sessions.

On Saturday afternoon, the race started on a dry track. Stéphane Daoudi quickly took second place from the Team Farnbacher Porsche. Stéphane even found himself in the lead when a brief but violent shower saw some of the teams opt for an early pit stop in order to change over to rain tyres.

Having instead decided to stay out as long as possible, the JMB Racing Modena rejoined the track on dry-weather tyres, relying on the fact that the track would dry quickly.

Unfortunately, a second shower drenched the circuit again, and the car slipped down the classification. Climbing back up to second position by mid-race, the Ferrari then fell victim to a starter motor failure, which saw it lose eight laps on the leaders.

Making good progress, Roman and Stéphane were back into the points when the weather hit again, forcing Roman to finish his final stint on slick tyres, in the rain. Also suffering from a slow puncture, he slowed down during the final laps, and took the chequered flag in seventh position.

Inheriting sixth after the Freisinger Motorsport Porsche was excluded, the three points scored by the JMB Racing team have nevertheless allowed them to keep right in touch in the overall GT classification, which is extremely close after this second round.

The race conditions did not allow the team to make the most of the potential of the Ferrari 360 Modena, and the whole team will be keen to take their revenge during the third round, which will take place at Silverstone on August 15th.

Before then, JMB Racing will be in action at Misano on July 18th, in the Italian GT Championship, and then again on July 31st and August 1st in the 24 Hours of Spa (FIA GT).

LMES – GT category Championship points classification: 1 CIRTEK MOTORSPORT no 93 Porsche 996 GT3 13 points, 2 CHRONO Q RACING TEAM no 77 Porsche 996 GT3 12 points, 3 SEBAH no 80 Porsche 996 GT3, 4 JMB RACING no 70 Ferrari 360 Modena GT 11 points, 5 FREISINGER MOTORSPORT no 85 Porsche 996 GT3 10 points