Beechdean Mansell Motorsport
team finished 7th overall at the Autosport 1000km of Silverstone yesterday, where they (with a little 'moral support' from the PH Smiley) were pitted against some of the best sports car teams in the world.
The Audi and Peugeot works diesels headed the field as expected, with the promise of a thrilling battle between Brit stars Allan McNish (Audi) and Anthony Davidson (Peugeot) cut short when Nishy's car succumbed to diff failure and he was forced to retire in the first half hour.
Davidson and co-driver Nicolas Minassian went on to claim victory, and there's a full race report here.
PHers supporting the Beechdean Mansell campaign had a good day out too. From 11th overall on the grid, 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 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 where they ultimately finished.
From our point of view here at PH towers, it's been a genuine privilege to see our logo on the wing end plates of the team's Ginetta Zytek, racing at Le Mans with the legendary 'Red 5' at the wheel, and again at the weekend with the Mansell boys at Silverstone.
Yes it's been a roller-coaster ride for the team, with the excitement and expectation of a Le Mans campaign cruelly curtailed by Nigel Mansell's puncture and spectacular accident, the thrill of a subsequent LMP1 class win at the Hungaroring and now a strong LMS season finale at Silverstone. But along the way, in spite of all the trials and tribulations, the team has found time to look after a number of lucky PHers who've been invited on fab garage tours, treated to hot laps of Silverstone and - of course - all those delicious free ice creams.
So on behalf of PHers everywhere - thanks very much for the ride guys, it's been a real blast and you've been great!
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