LE MANS ENDURANCE SERIES

 DISSAPOINTMENT IN MONZA

The 1000 Kilometre race at Monza yesterday saw Tim Sugden and his partner in the Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) 18 year old Jonathan Cocker take the lead in their GT2 GruppeM Porsche just before half distance but about 20 minutes later a broken front suspension damper put them out.     The race looked set to be another win for Tim, who finished second at Monza in an FIA race earlier in the season but the LMES is proving to be their unlucky series as they also retired from third place in the first round at Spa in March.

Niggling engine management problems had held Tim back in qualifying and they finished up 8th on the grid.   Jonathan started the race and during his first period in the car was able to move up to 4th before handing over to Tim for the second of the 4 stints and Tim moved the car into second place before handing the car back.   A puncture in the leading #76 car then allowed them to take the lead which they held until just after the three hour mark when the front suspension damper broke and the car was retired in the pits.

The LMES series is the shortest of the three series in which Tim is competing this year with just 5 rounds the next of which is at Silverstone on August 11/13.    Each race is 1000 kilometres and run to the same technical regulations as the famous 24 hour race from which it gets its name.    He has had two wins earlier in the season in the FIA series and second and third places in both so the LMES is so far disappointing.    Jonathan is also competing in the Asian Porsche Carrera Cup series where he has scored his seasons only win so far in Malaysia.