NEWS
27.10.09
The Drivers Club celebrates second successive victory in France
The Drivers Club scored a second successive VdeV class victory on Sunday after Chris Cappuccini and private coach Ollie Hancock mastered appalling conditions throughout the six-hour, day/night round at Magny-Cours.
Despite running an older, Class B, Juno chassis, the pair still fought their way up from 16th on the grid to an incredible second overall by the chequered flag.
Jota Sport team mate and fellow Drivers Club pupil Simon Dolan endured a more testing day, coming home 15th after a gearbox problem dropped him and Club co-founder Sam Hancock out of an early lead and contention for the victory.
Starting in wet conditions, Sam made a lightening getaway in his Ligier from sixth on the grid to the lead by the end of lap two. The top three soon established themselves at the front before the pair of chasing Normas, known for their wet-weather prowess, overhauled the 29-year old. Racing with a compromised wet/dry set-up in the hope of fairer conditions to come, Sam did well to hold on to the leaders, taking advantage of a Safety Car period to hand over ahead of schedule.
Younger brother Ollie meanwhile enjoyed a scintillating 90 minute stint of his own in the Juno, carving through from mid-pack to run fourth by the time he too pitted under caution. Once the scheduled stops and driver changes had shaken out, it was Cappuccini who found himself third with Dolan dropping to fifth. Despite their comparative lack of experience, both drivers excelled, Chris actually moving into second overall during his two hours behind the wheel. The persistent rain was beginning to play havoc with the #47 car however and it wasn’t long before Simon had to return to the pits with gearbox woes, ending hopes of a top five finish.
With his monster two hour stint completed, Cappucini handed the car back to Ollie for what was intended to be the final time. In fact, the strategy switch to take advantage of the early Safety Car meant that another splash and dash stop would be required for fuel and mandatory driver change. Amid the damp French darkness, Ollie pounded round relentlessly for well over two hours to establish a big enough cushion before pitting with ten minutes remaining.
With another of the rapid Normas now closing fast, it would be nip and tuck to the finish. No less than a mistake-free final ten minutes would suffice. But under massive pressure, Chris proved equal to the challenge, crossing the line less than two seconds clear of third.
Chris said: “That was one of the most difficult races of my career. Had I not spent a couple of days being coached by Ollie in the The Drivers Club’s Radical at a wet Silverstone last month, learning how to drive consistently fast in the wet, there’s no way I’d have had the confidence to put in that sort of performance today. That the car was also so drivable and reliable in the conditions is a great testimony to its preparation so a big thanks to the Jota boys for that.”
Sam said: “A fantastic result for Chris and Ollie. Second overall and another class win in only their second race together is really something to be proud of given how competitive the series is, not to mention today’s dark and treacherous conditions. Given these circumstances, both Chris and Simon deserve a pat on the back – it was so dark and so wet out there that in places that visibility wouldn’t have changed had we had our eyes shut! In those conditions, to not make a single mistake or end up in the gravel over a race as long as six hours was outstanding and they should both be very pleased with themselves. Obviously it’s a great shame that the Ligier encountered problems but once again the pace was there and we’ve still one race left to get that elusive win!”
The Drivers Club and Jota Sport travel to Estoril in Portugal for the final VdeV round of 2009 this November (20-22).
ENDS.