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Pescarolo duo take drivers' title at Estoril


Julien Jousse and Emmanuel Collard sealed this year’s LMS LMP1 drivers’ title by the narrowest of margins in Sunday’s Estoril season-closer, the Pescarolo duo beating championship rivals Andrea Belicchi and Jean-Christophe Boullion in a captivating on-track battle.

The Pescarolo and Rebellion cars remained in close contact throughout the event, each team knowing that victory would give them the title. It was not until the final stages of the six-hour event, when Boullion was hit with a puncture, that the Pescarolo was able to enjoy breathing space. From there Jousse brought the car home to ensure he and Collard would share drivers’ title glory.

Rebellion meanwhile took the teams’ crown by a single point. Their second car, which had sat on pole thanks to Neel Jani’s qualifying efforts, dropped out of contention early on with gearbox woes. Jani and team-mate Nicolas Prost would eventually finish 20th after a lengthy spell in the pits.

The overall podium was completed by the Beche/Thiriet/Firth TDS ORECA-Nissan entry, which ensured LMP2 class victory for the trio. The title-winning car of Karim Ojjeh and Tom Kimber-Smith, which they again shared with Olivier Lombard at Estoril, was next across the line.

GTE-Pro was won by the James Walker/Rob Bell-driven JMW Ferrari, the championship-winning AF Corse of Giancarlo Fisichella and Gianmaria Bruni having excited proceedings on lap 11. The Am class was won by IMSA duo Nicolas Armindo and Raymond Narac.

The Estoril event marked the final appearance of LMP1 machinery in the LMS with LMP2 set to become the championship’s top class in 2012.

Watch highlights from the LMS event at Estoril on Motors TV


James Weeks

Published 26/09/2011 09:55

Latest News LMS

Le Mans Racing magazine has launched a digital English edition as it seeks to capitlaise on the recent popularity boom in endurance competition. 

The new European Le Mans Series campaign kicked off at Paul Ricard on Sunday, but fears that the championship will not see the end of the season quickly emerged as round two at Zolder was cancelled.

Irish sportscar squad Murphy Prototypes have confirmed that Warren Hughes and Jody Firth will lead their European Le Mans Series assault in 2012.

Spaniard Lucas Ordonez will contest the European Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours for British outfit Greaves Motorsport.

Tom Kimber-Smith will remain with Greaves Motorsport next season but will not be able to defend his Le Mans 24 LMP2 class crown with the team.

[LMS news]

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