A WARRINGTON businessman and motor racing enthusiast captured a hard-fought fourth place in Round 4 of the Le Mans Series at the Hungaroring near Budapest.
Mike Newton, chief executive officer of Daresbury-based CCTV specialist AD Group was racing in the company’s tea, alongside Brazilian Tommy Erdos and recently signed co-driver Ben Collins.
The result in Hungary ensures the team remains securely placed at the top of the LMP(Le Mans Prototype) 2 Class going into the final endurance race at Silverstone next month.
Round 4 was a remarkable race as it was totally dominated by the LMP2 category – the second prototype class – which occupied an unprecedented top six positions. It might have been even better for Mike and the team if a gear actuator issue had not cost an extra six minutes in the garage – the difference between fourth and second.
The team had arrived in Hungary as championship leaders following a victorious run in the Algarve, but knew that the tight, twisty and narrow Hungaroring circuit was going to provide a far greater challenge for the Lola HPD Coupé.
“This was a very tough race but fourth means we still lead the championship going into the final race at Silverstone next month.
“Although a finish alone might be sufficient to clinch it, we will still be looking for a podium in our home race, but it’s never a done deal until the chequered flag.”
Picture: Mike in action in Hungary.
