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Halliday takes top ten LMP1 finish in difficult Nurburgring race |
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Tuesday, 19 August 2008 |
Simpson
qualified the car 18th on the grid and had climbed a couple of places
in the early laps, but unfortunately a problem was brewing. Damage
caused by contact with a spinning LMP2 car at the first corner caused a
blockage in the cooling ducts for the starter motor and gearbox and had
to be remedied to prevent later problems from occurring.
As a
result, considerable time was lost in making repairs. Having dropped
well down the field to 42nd overall, Simpson fought back well to 25th
by the time he handed over to Halliday.
Liz’s first ever stint
in the premier sportscar class started in unfortunate circumstances
when she was hit from behind by a fellow LMP1 car on her first lap out
of the pits. Rear bodywork damage forced her back into the pit lane for
more repairs.
After rejoining the race back down in 38th,
Halliday began to claw her way back up the field, during her stint,
with Simpson continuing this good work when he returned to the car.
Both drivers safely worked their way past the plethora of GT cars at
the notoriously tight Nurburgring circuit and with a number of LMP1
cars falling by the wayside, they managed to recover to a respectable
22nd overall and 10th in class at the end of the six hour endurance
race.
Liz Halliday:
“It’s been a steep learning curve but I’ve really enjoyed being back in
the thick of the action again and I was very impressed with the whole
Creation team. It’s a new car and a new track for me but I think I
improved throughout the race and it’s been a fantastic and very
worthwhile experience. I have never raced with Stephen before but he’s
a fantastic co-driver and very helpful. He’s an easy guy to work with
and very quick so I’m really looking forward to my two races in the US
with him and the team.”
Stephen Simpson:
“This is my first ever sportscar event and before now I’ve never been
in a race for more than an hour. Doing two double-stints was very
different, but really enjoyable. I’ve learned so much this weekend and
overall I’m really happy.”
Team Principal Mike Jankowski
said: “This was a big baptism of fire for Liz after such a long period
out of a racing car and I think she did a really good job. Her lap
times kept coming down throughout the weekend and she held her own
against a quality field of drivers. I’m looking forward to working with
her again at Petit Le Mans and Laguna Seca later in the year.”
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