13.09.2004 Crossing the line in formation, first and second in the GTS category, after six extremely hard hours of racing, Larbre Competition secured its LMES class title at Spa yesterday

Crossing the line in formation, first and second in the GTS category, after six extremely hard hours of racing, Larbre Competition secured its LMES class title at Spa-Francorchamps yesterday.

The team also scored the maximum number of points for any team in the Series, having won all four races, and claimed the coveted guaranteed entry for the 2005 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Christophe Bouchut crossed the finish line behind the wheel of the Care Racing owned and Prodrive built Ferrari 550 in 7th place overall and three laps ahead of the second placed 550 of Enge, Pergl and Goueslard who were in 10th place overall.

The three regular LMES Larbre drivers had had a trouble-free run to the top step of the podium in a race which saw several rain showers, five safety car periods and a multitude of problems for a great many of the competitors.

The race had not been quite as smooth for the second Larbre entry, with a stop-go penalty having to be served for passing under yellow flags and a couple of off-track excursions, but Tomas Enge drove as only he knows how and clawed back a good deal of lost time towards the end of the race.

The result once again reinforces the reliability, speed and performance of the Ferrari 550 Maranellos within the Care Racing stable. 

Christophe Bouchut (F), Ferrari 550 Maranello 86: “I can’t imagine a better result than this one. A new title, a new Championship and everything working so well. We’ve had four races and four victories.

"Today was a trouble free race and the car ran very well as usual, and we had some luck when the Saleen stopped early so we didn’t have to fight as hard to the end. Having said that, we were in a position to fight and to win anyway. It’s very good.”

Pedro Lamy (P), Ferrari 550 Maranello 86: “It’s a very good end to the season. We won all the races but that wasn’t as easy as it sounds. We had a very good fight in all the races, in difficult conditions with the weather, and we won! The races and the Championship – it’s great.”

Steve Zacchia (CH), Ferrari 550 Maranello 86: “We had to finish the race and make at least one point but we finished again in 1st position which is fantastic for everybody but especially for me. It’s only my second season in a GT car so I’m really happy. I can’t express how happy.”

Tomas Enge (CZ), Ferrari 550 Maranello 87: “I had a weekend of 2nd places! After my very good 2nd place at Monza yesterday, we were able to grab 2nd place here too which was great – first time for me in this series and with the team although I obviously know this car very well. I think I got quicker and quicker each stint with my laps and I am also very happy to have got fastest [GTS] lap which was my biggest aim.”

Patrice Goueslard (F), Ferrari 550 Maranello 87: “I started the race because Tomas was at Monza during qualifying. Jack had told me above all to be safe and, when it started to rain we still had slick tyres on and for me it was a little bit difficult but I stayed on the track.

"At the end of my stint I made a small mistake but it wasn’t too important so I was able to give the wheel to Robert with the car in one piece. Then it was finished for me for the weekend apart from the podium which was very nice for us all and for the team.”

Robert Pergl (CZ), Ferrari 550 Maranello 87: “The first stint was very difficult for me because I took over the car from Patrice with slick tyres and in the rain. I had to come in for wets which I’d never used on the car before so that was very interesting. I did my best and I think it was okay. For my second stint it was dry and I did some very stable lap times so I am happy with that.”

Jack Leconte: “In this inaugural series I am very happy to have participated. I am very proud of all the team and all my staff because after Porsche and the Viper, we discovered the Care Racing Ferrari and we showed we could win again with a new car. I’m proud to have discovered a new constructor in this type of racing.”

Race Result: 1st  LM1  Davies/Herbert  Audi R8  144 laps, 2nd  LM1  Capello/Ara  Audi R8  143 laps, 3rd LM1  Minassian/Campbell-Walter  DBA 03S  139 laps, 4th  LM2  Frei/Hancock/Cochet  Courage  137 laps, 5th  LM1  Stack/Hignett/Collini  Zytek 04S  136 laps, 6th  LM1  Erdos/Newton/Ramos  MG Lola  -0.39.77, 7th  GTS  Bouchut/Lamy/Zacchia  Ferrari 550 Maranello  132 laps, 8th  LM2  Belmondo/Gosselin/Eyckmans  Courage  129 laps, 9th  GT  Ortelli/Collard  Porsche  -0.28.86, 10th  GTS  Enge/Goueslard/Pergl  Ferrari 550  Maranello  -1.05.51