The LNT Zytek which is in new hands this weekend
Courtesy of the Le Mans Series/DPPI
Zytek
Embassy
Bruichladdich
RML
Click a link to go directly to that story!
Zytek
Tom Kimber-Smith’s performance in qualifying for tomorrow’s Silverstone 1,000ks race was yet another indication that the Zytek 07S is undoubtedly the quickest contender in the LMP2 class. The Team LNT Zytek was not only easily the fastest in class, but also fourth quickest overall, beaten only by the two factory Peugeot diesels and just one petrol-fuelled car from the far more powerful LMP1 class.
Having driven a prototype for only the first time the day before, Tom set a time of 1mins 35.149 secs, almost three quarters of a second quicker than the nearest LMP2 contender. His equally quick team-mate Danny Watts, also experiencing a prototype for the first time, was effusive in his praise for the Zytek. “It makes our job as a driver so much easier,” he said. “I’ve fallen in love with it. Its predictability gives you enormous confidence.”
Danny also commented on how much he and Tom were learning from the Zytek engineers. “They have really helped us get the best out of the car,” he said.
That Zytek engineering has become the class of the LMP2 class was underlined by the performance of its other contenders. Third fastest in class was Michael Vergers in the Gulf Barazi Epsilon Zytek 07S while Chris Buncombe in the Binnie Motorsports Lola, also powered by a ZG348 engine, ensured that three out of the fourth fastest in class were Zytek powered.
“Today has demonstrated yet further the underlying potential of the Zytek 07S chassis and the ZG348 engine,” said operations direct John Manchester.
Embassy
Demand continues to grow for the Zytek ZG348, the engine that dominated the LMP2 class at this year’s Le Mans 24-hours. On the eve of this year’s Silverstone 1,000km race, Embassy Racing announced that it had ordered four of the 3.4-litre V8s that finished first and second in class at the world’s greatest endurance race.
“We are seeing more enquiries that ever for our engines and our sportscars,” said Zytek Engineering operations director John Manchester.
At this year’s Le Mans it was the Zytek-engined Lola of Binnie Motorsports that won the LMP2 class followed home by the Zytek 07S of the Lowes Barazi Epsilon team. Since that date, the Zytek-engined prototypes of Binnie, Gulf Barazi Epsilon and Team LNT have continued to underline that this is the quickest engine in the LMP2 field. At Silverstone today this was confirmed when Tom Kimber-Smith, making his prototype racing debut, was over half a second quicker that the rest of the LMP2 field in the LNT car.
The potential of the ZG348 has not been lost on Embassy Racing, which is designing own LMP2 cars for next year and has chosen Zytek as its new engine supplier. As well as supplying the power units, Zytek is to provide its innovative electro-mechanical gear shift system (EGS) to the team. This device also illustrates the depth of Zytek’s engineering expertise, having already been chosen for use by the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport grid as well as the three factory backed Acura LMP2s running in the American Le Mans Series.
The Zytek we are used to for 2007 - the Barazi Epsilon
Courtesy of the Le Mans Series/DPPI
Bruichladdich
DISAPPOINTING QUALIFYING FOR TEAM BRUICHLADDICH RADICAL
Stuart Moseley put in a time of 1:37.957 in today's session which wasn't up to normal qualifying performance. Although endurance racing is about consistency a good grid position always feels a better starting point. Following a very good test at Donington leading up to the race so a better result was hoped for. The team will be looking at the data overnight and focussing on a good race set-up for the six hour/ 1000km race.
Tim Greaves, Team Owner and driver "We've been struggling for grip this weekend. We tried a new tyre from Dunlop which seemed to be going well for us but it didn't seem to translate into enough time on the track. The Michelin shod cars just seem to be shining here."
RML
RML MG-Lola second ahead of crucial race
RML MG-Lola's pursuit of the 2007 Le Mans Series (LMS) LMP2 Championship remains on target after Tommy Erdos qualified the EX264 chassis second in class ahead of the crucial 1000km of Silverstone.
The Brazilian, together with driving partner Englishman Mike Newton, will start fifth overall on the grid, behind the Team LNT Zytek 07S of Tom Kimber-Smith and Danny Watts.
The Wellingborough-based squad could confirm the 2007 LMP2 Championship this weekend, and their hopes have received an extra boost by the news that their nearest rivals, the number 40 Quifel ASM Team qualified in fifth place, 14th overall.
Tommy was first out on track, laying down a psychological marker against the team's LMP2 rivals. He was immediately able to do this, and set a boiling hot pace, with a time of 1min, 35.847. This was the benchmark all the other teams had to aim for, and for most of the session, no-one could get close to it.
The time was 2.9 seconds quicker than the last time the team visited Silverstone in 2005.
With eight and a half minutes to go, Tommy returned the car to the pits, and the Team LNT Zytek was able to take the advantage, and the class pole position.
Tommy Erdos said: "I was pleased with the lap, and am happy with the position we achieved on the grid. From there we have a great opportunity to challenge for the lead of our class, and the head of the field. I am looking forward to the race, as Silverstone is a very satisfying circuit for drivers."
Mike Newton, driver and CEO of AD Group, said: "We are in a good position, and are encouraged by the fact that are closest rivals for the championship are nine places behind us. We have a clear advantage over our nearest competitors, and we will be looking for a good start to set us up for the rest of the race."
Phil Barker, RML MG-Lola team manager, said: "The team have had an excellent period of preparation to this race, and we have been able to carry that through from the factory to the circuit. Tommy was able to put in an impressive performance on the circuit today, which has sent an important message to our competitors ahead of the race tomorrow."
Adam Wiseberg, Motorsport Director of AD Group, said: "It was an extremely strong showing from the team, and puts us in an excellent position for tomorrow's race. We have a strong strategy in place, and I'm very confident that Mike and Tommy will be able to make excellent progress to the front of the field."