FIA GT CHAMPIONSHIP

FIRST WIN AT MAGNY COURS - 01 MAY 2005

GruppeM Porsche driver Tim Sugden was hoping to make it three pole positions in as many races at Magny Cours in France when he took the grid for the second round of the FIA GT Championship last Sunday. In the end however they went one better this weekend when he and his co-driver, Emmanuel Collard finished on top of the podium for their first win of the season.

The race was the French round in the FIA GT Championship and for the third time in succession Tim's Porsche was on pole position in GT2 for the race.

On this occasion however the pole time was set by Emmanuel Collard in the factory Porsche backed GruppeM car with the other car in the team in 3rd position on the grid. During the race the #88 car of Sugden and Collard led until after the second pit stop During which a sticking wheel nut delayed the car and allowed the #66 car from GruppeM into the lead.

Collard, taking the final stint retook the lead however and pulled out a small gap before the other car developed a slight misfire but was still able to finish 2nd. After the race Tim commented: "It is obvious that it is going to be very close between the two GruppeM cars right through the season. 'Manu' drove very well this weekend, our pitstop was not wonderful with a wheel-nut that would not come off, but his second stint was really good to get us back in front for the win."

With two second places, the first at the American classic Sebring 12 Hour race, the second in the first FIA race in Italy and now a win Sugden's season is going well and the team looks forward to the 3rd race in the FIA championship on the 15th May at Silverstone.