ILMC

A well deserved podium for Hope PoleVision Racing

The Hungarian round of the Le Mans Series promised to be an eventful one for two reasons, one because it was the second last race of the Series, and two because the Hungaroring is a circuit noted for its difficulty due to its tightness and its traffic. Hope PoleVision Racing had its fair share of minor collisions, mechanical problems and other race incidents. In the end, a podium finish rewarded the work of the drivers and that of all the mechanics.

Everything, though, got off to a good start. The team was feeling confident after Nico Verdonck in no. 48 and Steve Zacchia in no. 47 set the third and fourth quickest times in qualifying, only 2/10s slower than pole. The team suffered its first setback in the warm-up when Christophe Pillon slammed into the guardrail in no. 48 causing serious frontal damage. His accident led to the session being red flagged. The car was brought back to the pits, and after a quick inspection the team realized that the damage could not be repaired on the spot. There was only one possible decision, no matter how painful: HPVR had to start the race with just one car.

All the team’s hopes were now pinned on no. 47. Olivier Lombard was under intense pressure: he had to carry the team’s colours in what was
his first real race in endurance, as his Portuguese outing was very brief. The Frenchman made a good start and was then tagged by one of the DAMS team’s cars. More problems arose soon afterwards. After half-an-hour’s racing, he had to pit with a fuel pressure issue. The team carried
out repairs, but did not solve the problem and he had to come back in. The very skilled Hope PoleVision Racing mechanics soon found the solution as Mathieu explains: “The car suffered fuel pressure loss and we didn’t know where it came from. We started by changing the regulator but the issue persisted after a couple of laps. We had only two possibilities: either it was the high-pressure pumps or the low pressure ones. We separated them and as a result we found out. The glitch was in the low pressure pumps. We discovered what was wrong very quickly – in just twenty minutes.”

Luca Moro rejoined way down the field and he went flat out to make up for lost time. But in his haste, he tagged the no. 50 Larbre Competition Saleen and then the no. 91 CRS Racing Ferrari. Luckily, no mechanical components or bodywork were damaged in the incidents. He then had to pit a bit later on to change the rear legality box on the car. The Italian handed over to Steve Zacchia who continued to progress up the time sheets. The Swiss had the bit between his teeth and using his speed and experience he brought the team’s FLM home in third place in the category.

Steve Zacchia, no.47’s driver: “Right from the start we had fuel pressure problems. Olivier stopped first of all and we thought we’d solved it, but three laps later the problem arose again. The mechanics quickly found out what was wrong after dismantling the pumps. It handicapped us as we had to stop every fifteen minutes to fill up. In addition, the car lost power as the fuel level fell. I rejoined to do the remaining two hours and fifteen minutes. I had the most horrible stints of my life as I had to stop frequently, and also because the car lacked power. Despite this, my race pace was good. The most important thing is that we managed to set good times during the night and we’re still in the title chase. In view of our start to the race, we should be satisfied as we couldn’t have done any better. Now we’ve got no choice; we must win at Silverstone.”

Benoit Morand, the Hope PoleVision Racing Team Principal: “It all began with no. 48’s crash. The damage was heavy and the monocoque was cracked so no. 48 couldn’t start. We had fuel pressure problems on no. 47 and we have to find out why. It was hell for the drivers as they had to stop every seven laps. We carried out eighteen pit stops, which must be some kind of record! We finished third by taking advantage of other’s problems, and we’ve managed to limit the damage in the championship. We’re now ten points behind, but we’re still in the title chase. It won’t be easy and no. 48 will have to help no. 47. On the positive side, I’d like to mention Olivier Lombard who was as solid as a rock, and Steve Zacchia on whom we can always count. Now, we’re looking forward to the race at Silverstone. I’d also like to announce that we’re going to Zhuhai with one car.”

There’s still everything to play for in the championship battle between the no. 43 FLM of the French DAMS team and no. 47 entered by Hope PoleVision Racing. Rendezvous for the final round of the Le Mans Series on the Silverstone circuit in England on 10-11-12 September.

Race results :

1. DAMS no.43 : A.Barlesi-A.Cicognani-G.Chalandon
2. JMB Racing, no. 46: P.Keutemann-M.Basso-J.Hartshorne
3. Hope PoleVision Racing no.47: S.Zacchia-O.Lombard-L.Moro
4. Boutsen Energy Racing no.45: D.Kraihammer-N.de Crem-B.Delhez

The championship placings :

1. DAMS no. 45: 50 points
2. Hope PoleVision Racing no. 47: 44 points
3rd equal: JMB Racing no. 46 and Boutsen Energy Racing no. 45: 33 points
5. Applewood Seven no. 49: 32 points
6. Hope PoleVision Racing no. 48: 27 points