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Larbre Competition returned from the final round of the Le Mans
Series season finale in Brazil with a hugely satisfying GT1 class win
at the 1000-mile Mil Milhas race at Interlagos.
The French team’s Aston Martin DBR9,
driven by Steve Zacchia, Fernando Rees, Gregor Fisken and Roland
Berville, finished nine laps clear of their nearest rivals Luc Alphand
Adventures and in sixth place overall after a faultless race by both
the team and drivers.
Larbre raced their DBR9 in an exclusive
livery to mark the Mil Milhas’ debut on the LMS calendar, with the
Aston Martin sporting Brazilian colours for the event, alongside that
of its partners Bertin and Platinium Cars.
Team Manager Jack Leconte was
delighted at the performance as Larbre ended the year on a high with
its first Le Mans Series win of 2007. He said “The quality of
preparation of the car by the team made a huge difference. We delivered
an error-free race and to finish sixth overall is a fabulous
achievement. I’m very proud of the way the team has performed in the Le
Mans Series and at the Le Mans 24 Hours this season and I’m thrilled
that we’ve been rewarded by winning the prestigious event at
Interlagos, especially as it’s the first time it has appeared on the
LMS calendar.”
Brazilian driver Fernando Rees
joined the team for his home race and, with the support of his team
manager and co-drivers, enjoyed a memorable sports car racing debut. He
said: “I learned so much throughout the weekend about GT cars and the
team helped me by providing lots of tips to improve my performance. To
win in my first race back after my bad accident last year was fantastic
and I look forward to racing these cars again in the future.”
Swiss Steve Zacchia, who did
such as fine job in qualifying, added: “It was a great race on a
fantastic circuit. The car was very well balanced and I thought Jack
managed the race superbly from the pit wall. He put us on a very good
strategy, planned the pit stops well and made good tyre choices. The
team and my co-drivers were perfect all weekend and the win is a great
way to end the season.”
Scottish racer Gregor Fisken was
equally ecstatic to take his first GT1 victory in his first season with
the team and graciously heaped praise on his team mates. “Roland didn’t
make a single mistake all weekend and was solid even at night. Fernando
was an absolute revelation especially when you consider he’d never
driven a GT car before and Steve, as ever, was superb. The feeling when
we crossed the finish line was fantastic. I think this is my best
result ever and the high point of my career.”
Frenchman Roland Berville
excelled during the difficult night time stints and thanked the team
for preparing a faultless racing car. “The win is a true reward for the
team, because the car was perfectly prepared. I thoroughly enjoyed
driving the car because it was so well balanced and the adjustments we
made matched my driving style. This is my first official win, so it
feels very special. It was the perfect race.”
The victory marked a fantastic climax
to the season for the Larbre Competition, who have ended 2007 with
three wins from three races, the Mil Milhas triumph being added to
victories for Patrick Bornhauser and Frédéric Makowiecki at Nogaro and
Magny Cours in the French GT championship.
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