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The Lola B07/90 Sports 2000 car won the 1 hour Team Endurance race at Snetterton on 5th August driven by Nick Bates. It was the first customer victory for the car since its debut at the beginning of the season.
Endorsing the pace of the new design, Jon Finch captured pole position earlier in the day. Finch’s teammate Chris Snowdon initially led the race from lap four but an engine failure put paid to their challenge. Sadly, Chris was forced to pull off on the Revett Straight during lap 11 having suffered engine failure. Martin Ellis, who was sharing the endurance race with Nick Bates inherited the lead but was forced to cede to Steve Head’s Gunn entry on lap 13. Ellis hung on to the tail of the Gunn for the next ten laps until Head made his pit stop. Mechanical problems prevented Head from continuing and allowed Bates to take over the lead on lap 23. Extending the team's lead, to the finish on tour 45, Bates crossed the line over 90 seconds ahead of his rivals.
“It was hard work out there because of the heat and the track conditions,” said a delighted Bates after the event. “The car has got quicker lap by lap since the first race at Brands in May. That is a tribute to the hard work of the guys back at the Lola factory. There is still potential in the car but that will come with more lappery and I am confident that we can challenge for more victories this season.”
No fewer than eleven Lola's of various ages started the race with nine taking the chequered flag.
For more information, please visit www.sports2000-srcc.com.
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The B07/90 on its way to victory.
(Picture courtesy of Lee Cooke) |
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Lap five and Chris Snowdon is already lapping tail enders.
(Picture courtesy of Lee Cooke)
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On the winners podium.
(Picture courtesy of Lee Cooke)
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Nick Bates (left) and Martin Ellis show off their trophies.
(Picture courtesy of Lee Cooke)
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Nick Bates about to strap in for his turn on the track.
(Picture courtesy of Lee Cooke)
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Nigel Berry's Lola T492 is refuelled in the pit garage. Nigel and Alan Hudd placed third in the '2 car, 2 driver' class.
(Picture courtesy of Lee Cooke)
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The Lola T598 of father and son team Giles & Robert Scammell who took 2nd in '1 car, 2 driver' class.
(Picture courtesy of Lee Cooke)
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