NISSAN TEAMS DOMINATE WET IMOLA ELMS

May 16, 2016 by Nissan

• TDS and United Autosport score in Imola as Hoy suffers car issue

IMOLA, Emilia-Romagna, Italy – Thiriet by TDS Racing and United Autosports were the big winners in the LM P2 and LM P3 classes in the European Le Mans Series last weekend at a rain soaked Imola. The final portion of the four-hour race was run under safety car conditions after torrential rain struck the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Mathias Beche, Pierre Thiriet and Ryo Hirakawa took the victory in LM P2 ahead of the G-Drive Racing entry of NISMO athlete Harry Tincknell, who drove with Simon Dolan and Giedo Van der Garde.

Tincknell and his teammates now hold a 13-point lead in the championship after the opening two rounds.

Nissan-powered nine of the top 10 finishes at Imola including the first eight LM P2 machines.

Sir Chris Hoy's final ELMS race before his Le Mans debut ended in disappointment after the Olympic cycling legend had completed a double stint behind the wheel.

'We're obviously disappointed not to have finished the race today due to the power steering failure, but as frustrating as it was, it's far better for something like this to happen now than when we're at Le Mans,' said Hoy. 'I was happy with my double stint during the race and pleased with my lap times. Everything feels much more intuitive in the car now and as a team we're working well together. It's all useful preparation for Le Mans though, and I'm really looking forward to the official test day at La Sarthe in a few weeks.'

Hoy will return to the Algarve Pro team for Le Mans next month teamed with Michael Munemann and Renault-Nissan Alliance Athlete, Andrea Pizzitola.

United Autosports continued its perfect start to the Nissan-powered LM P3 championship with its second consecutive win for Alex Brundle, Mike Guasch and Christian England.

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Photo credit: Nissan
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