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The Scuderia Ecosse team took another leap forward yesterday
with a superb, hard-fought victory in the final round of the
2005 Le Mans Endurance Series at Istanbul Park with 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.
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One thing they have learnt this year is that the
1000km races are never short of drama, and
this race was no exception |
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The Scuderia Ecosse team took another leap forward
with a superb, hard-fought victory in the final
round of the LMES at Istanbul Park with drivers
Nathan Kinch and Andrew Kirkaldy |
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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!"
LMES ISTANBUL, 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
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