Beechdean Mansell End First LMS Season on a High at Silverstone

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Category: FIA GT / LMS

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

The Beechdean Mansell Motorsport team celebrated a great performance during the Autosport 1000km of Silverstone to finish 7th overall against some of the best sports car teams in the world, including the Audi and Peugeot works teams.

Following on from the LMP1 victory in Hungary last month, the whole Beechdean Mansell team can be proud of their achievements in their first season, with Silverstone marking the team’s 4th race on the international stage.

Starting in 11th overall, and 10th in the LMP1 class, Greg Mansell made a good start to move up a place on the opening lap but a puncture in the first 20 minutes forced the younger Mansell to pit earlier than planned. The second part of his stint was very strong and by lap 35 Greg Mansell had regained the lost ground and was challenging the number 008 Lola Aston Martin before coming in for fuel, tyres and to hand over the car to brother Leo.

Leo Mansell rejoined in 10th place, 20 seconds behind Paul Drayson in the Drayson Racing Lola and started to close the gap. He maintained his pace until the first stop for tyres and fuel before rejoining behind two LMP2 class cars, which he quickly passed to move into 8th place. Once again he started to close on the Drayson car and passed a few laps later to move into 7th.

On lap 94 Leo Mansell pitted to hand the car back to Greg Mansell, which took slightly longer when the left front louver needed replacing because of debris damage. Greg Mansell rejoined in 7th place and set about consolidating his position. Three laps into his stint the younger Mansell set the team’s fastest lap of the race and continued to circulate at a consistent race pace before pitting for fuel and tyres 10 laps later. He rejoined in 8th place behind the number 007 Lola Aston Martin, closing the gap to challenge the Aston Martin Coupe and Greg gained the place when the Lola pitted. Greg Mansell completed his stint and came in to hand over the car to Leo for the final time, with the older brother rejoining in a comfortable 7th place. The chequered flag was shown when the leading Peugeot of Anthony Davidson and Nicolas Minassian completed 170 laps, with Leo Mansell crossing the line in a creditable 7th overall and the fourth petrol powered LMP1 car to complete the distance.

Leo Mansell: "It was a good team effort again; the team didn't put a foot wrong. The problems we had were down to the failure of the louvers again, which is becoming a bit frustrating from the teams points of view because it sets us back in the pitstops. But apart from that it was a good end to the season, we showed what we can do once again, and that is the most important thing."

Greg Mansell: "I think we did a really solid performance, everything went well, we planned ahead and from the teams point of view we didn't put a foot wrong. Any problems we did have we were prepared for and I think that was the biggest thing. There was a lot of contact out there but we managed to keep out of trouble so I'm very happy and look forward to next year. I'm looking forward to racing here again at Silverstone in the World Series by Renault. I got in a real rhythm with the track so hopefully that will be an advantage next weekend."

Nigel Mansell: "The drivers did an exemplary job, they were quick at times, drove sensibly at times and both of them never put a foot wrong, so they can hang their heads very high. The last few races of the season they've done an almost perfect job. The teams worked very hard and hopefully if we get the sponsors over the winter, we can build on the great work we’ve done this year. Finishing seventh with the field that has been here this weekend is a fantastic achievement for a team that is so young and I'm very proud of everybody here and I'd like to thank our sponsors who have helped us to get this far."

Andrew Howard (Joint Team Principle): "We've finished 7th overall out of a grid of 45 cars here at Silverstone. We've finished with the top LMP cars in the world and the team have done brilliantly; the drivers, Greg and Leo, drove absolutely fantastically; what a great way to end the first season."