Early Contact Halts Viking Charge

Crew chief Jonny Hoad had done the original set up, before Mark Holme and Colin Kingsnorth took over for the free practice and qualifying.

"We had been running about 13th, from a grid of 62, but eneded up third quickest when Jonny got back in. He got a tow and set out time," said Mark, before they drew 17th out of the hat for their stating position.

Holme took the first stint ans was part of the initial lead train. "It was a fraught start but I got on the back of the pack, like we do in the UK.

We got away and set our best times during that stint." he said after making their first stop 50 minutes in.

He was surprised ho quickly they had caught backmarkers, but at the stop they wewre just about six seconds off the lead.

It was going well and as Kingsnorth rejoined, they were 18th after the first hour, with some cars ahead still due to make their stop.

They had rejoined but then a driveshaft popped out and they were recovered for a second time, which left them 61st after three hours.

Both divers were able to shop top 10 pace after rejoining again, eventually climbed to 53rd by the end of the eight hours.

"The car had pace and we worked well. we were quick in the wet too, but just unlucky. It was good fun though and we learned a lot, so can't wait fior the next round at Dijon on the 28th.