Team RLR MSport: News

Hughes And Firth Confirmed for 2012 ELMS Campaign

til — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:05:00 GMT

Team RLR Msport have confirmed that Warren Hughes and Jody Firth have been signed for the 2012 European Le Mans Series

Team RLR Msport have confirmed that Warren Hughes and Jody Firth have been signed for the 2012 European Le Mans Series and will also, if the team is elevated from their current slot on the reserve list, drive for the team at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Team RLR MSport will run their new ORECA-Nissan 03 LMP2 car on Dunlop rubber, and the team will be looking to build upon Hughes and Firth’s fine record as a pairing, with two sportscar championships in as many years.

Hughes's CV includes an LMP2 victory at Le Mans whilst Firth has established himself as a winner since stepping up to prototypes. Last year he took two race wins on his way to fourth in the LMS drivers' championship.

The Bolton-based team is backed by Dublin-based green energy entrepreneur and former Formula 3 race winner, Greg Murphy.

The team aims to incorporate cutting-edge renewable energy technology into its race programme. This will include third-generation renewable technologies on the car, plus third-generation thin film solar technologies in the garage. The team will also strive to achieve carbon neutral status for the planned Le Mans project.

The teams backers have competencies in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for automotive, renewable and aerospace applications. Through its partnership with Dell Computers, the team will have state of the art Dell HPC computing capabilities to facilitate ongoing chassis development throughout the season. They are also developing innovative in-house solutions for the development of hybrid technologies.

Team RLR MSport's 2011 Season Review

til — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:39:00 GMT

Four Top Five Finishes From Five Le Mans Series Races In 2011

2011 saw Team RLR enter its first full season in the Le Mans Series, having contested the final two rounds of the 2010 championship. Armed with a new Judd engine and having clocked up thousands of kilometres in testing, Team RLR was aiming to prove a real thorn in the side of the more established competitors in the field.

Team RLR competed at all five rounds of the Le Mans Series - Le Castellet (France), Spa Francorchamps (Belgium), Imola (Italy), Silverstone (Great Britain) and Estoril (Portugal). The British LMP2 squad achieved four top-five class finishes from five Le Mans Series races.

Barry Gates, Rob Garofall and Simon Phillips took the wheel of the MG Lola EX265 for the first three events. In August Warren Hughes, one of MG’s most successful factory drivers, joined the team for the last two races of the season.

In late July, during the mid season break, British car manufacturer MG Motor UK confirmed it would return to motorsport as a partner of the ambitious Le Mans Series contenders.

Le Castellet, France, April 1-3

Despite concern about straight line speed, Team RLR collected its best Le Mans Series result to date after a superb run over 174 laps to steer the Judd-powered MG Lola EX265 to fifth place in the LMP2 class and ninth overall from 34 starters.

Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, May 5-7

Team RLR had to be content with a fine fourth place class finish and fourteenth overall.

Imola, Italy, July 1-3

After an excellent start at Imola a steering problem in lap two meant that a new steering rack had to be fitted. This cost the team more than an hour of time in the pit box. With an insurmountable deficit to make up and a gearbox problem late in the race the tough decision was taken to retire.

Silverstone, Great Britain, September 9-11

Team RLR battled against the odds to a sensational fifth place finish in the LMP2 class and fourteenth overall. Thanks to Team Principal Nick Reynolds’ professional crew who were forced to change the engine three times over the course of practice and qualifying, before the race had even started, together with some fantastic driving Team RLR were able to secure an outstanding comeback after 171 hard fought laps.

Estoril, Portugal, September 23-25

After the heroic performance at Silverstone Team RLR wrapped up its first full season in the Le Mans Series with another fifth place LMP2 class finish and 17th overall after an eventful race at the 6 Hours and 201 laps at Estoril.

Team RLR MSport Put Lola EX265 Up For Sale

til — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:05:00 GMT

As part of Team RLR MSport’s 2012 season development they are putting their 2011 season Judd BMW powered MG Lola EX265 up for sale for £170,000.

The Bolton, Lancashire, based team had a fantastic 2011 season with the car. With four top five LMP2 class finishes from five Le Mans Series races the Lola EX265 delivered consistent results and regularly challenged the more established competitors in the field.

The five 1000−kilometre (or 6−hour) events of the 2011 European endurance race series included Le Castellet (France), Spa Francorchamps (Belgium), Imola (Italy), Silverstone (Great Britain); and Estoril (Portugal.

Full spec of the Lola EX 265 includes:

2011 LMS Spec
Full MoTec system
Large spares package
Full set of bodywork
Complete carbon floor
8 sets of wheels
4 complete hub assembly’s
Fully prepared and ready to race
Price £170,000

The EX265 has had a very successful history. It was a part of the class-winning RML squad's MG Lola sports prototype project between 2003 and 2008. Homologated as the MG Lola EX264, the car was powered by a development of the XP-21 AER turbocharged four-cylinder unit that successfully took RML AD Group to an LMP2 class win at Le Mans in 2006, and the LMP2 team and drivers’ titles in the Le Mans Series in 2007. The car was given a new lease of life in 2010, when it returned to the Le Mans Series LMP2 class in the hands of Team RLR. In 2011 the car was powered by a new Judd 'HK' engine based on a production BMW 4.0 litre V8, noted for its low weight and high specific power output in road going form.

Young Driver Shines In Final Team RLR Test

til — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:07:00 GMT

The final test session of the season saw Team RLR give an aspiring young driver a taste of what it is like to compete in the world’s most competitive endurance racing category.

James Rigby (24), from Watford, joined the Lancashire-based squad to experience a day behind the wheel of the MG Lola EX265 the team races in the LMP2 category of the le Mans Series after he impressed as part of Team RLR’s driver development programme in the 2011 SPEED EuroSeries.

Rigby was able to benefit from the experience of regular Team RLR driver Rob Garofall throughout the day as the team wrapped up its 2011 programme at Snetterton, end enjoyed significant seat time as his reward for his hard work both on and off the track throughout the year.

Team RLR will now focus on developing it plans for the 2012 Le Mans Series and challenging for honours in what will be the top level of the championship due to the introduction of a new format next season.

James Rigby said:
“It was a great experience and I can’t thank Team RLR enough for the opportunity. Even though it was quite wet the MG Lola was amazing to drive, actually easier in many ways than what I’m used to as it has so much more capability. Being able to get some insight from Rob Garofall was really useful in understanding the commitment needed to drive the car to its maximum. It’s not that complicated to drive but you need to push it a lot more to get the best out of it. I wasn’t too far away from the other guys’ times by the end of the day which was pleasing. I think given better conditions there was a bit more to come from me too. It really is the highlight of my racing career so far and a bit of a dream come true. Hopefully I’ve shown that I have what it takes to be competitive in LMP2 and put me in the shop window for a drive.”

Team RLR team principal Nick Reynolds said:
“Everything went to plan with the test. The weather didn’t really play ball but it was still a useful day. It was good to be able to give James a decent amount of running in the MG Lola to see how he got on. He settled down to work quickly and showed good improvement throughout the day. Hopefully it will open a few doors for him in the Le Mans Series. The drivers reported that the car felt good and well balanced so it was a constructive end to our 2011 programme.”

Click here to find out more about Team RLR’s driver development programme.

Team RLR Rewards Young British Driver with Test

til — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:05:00 GMT

As part of its commitment to developing British motor racing talent, Le Mans Series outift Team RLR has awarded a drive in the MG Lola EX265 to an up-and-coming racer at the team’s final test of 2011.

James Rigby (24), from Watford, was one of a number of regular drivers who contested the 2011 SPEED EuroSeries as part of Team RLR’s driver development programme, and was chosen as the indiviudal who had shown the most promise both on and off the track by the squad’s management team.

The team entered two Ligier JS49 sports prototypes in the SPEED EuroSeries, with the aim being to give any drivers from the team who showed sufficient potential in the SPEED series the chance to test the LMP2 car at the end of the season.

With the SPEED series supporting the LMS at all five rounds, the team considers it to be the ideal way to give drivers a ladder of opportunity to progress to the top level of endurance racing in Le Mans Prototypes. With two races at each event for teams of two drivers per car, the SPEED EuroSeries allows drivers to get a taste of endurance racing in sophisticated sports prototypes before moving up to the bigger stage of the LMS itself. Team RLR’s drivers Barry Gates and Rob Garofall have both driven in the SPEED Series before going on to drive in the Le Mans Series.

Ahead of his first run in MG Lola, which Team RLR steered to four top-five LMP2 class finishes in the 2011 Le Mans Series, Rigby will visit the team’s workshop for a seat fitting and familiarisation session with the 450bhp sports proptype endurance racing car. He will then join Team RLR’s regular driver Rob Garofall at the final test session of the MG Motor UK-backed outfit’s 2011 programme at Snetteron Circuit at the end of October.

Nick Reynolds, Team RLR team principal, said:
"We are delighted to be able to give James this opportunity to drive an LMP2 sports prototype for the first time. When we formed the team we always said we wanted it to be about more than just turning up and racing, and we are committed to giving young drivers who show the right kind of application the opportunity to progress in the sport. James has impressed us not only with his driving ability, but his attitude outside of the car and his willingness to learn about the other key areas required to be successful in endurance racing. I am looking forward to see how he deals with what will be a real step up for him, and how he compares to some of our other more experienced drivers.”

James Rigby, Team RLR driver, said:
"Without a doubt this is the biggest opportunity I’ve ever been given in motorsport. I have been working towards this for a long time, ever since I started karting at the age of 10. To be given the chance to drive a car like this is amazing. I really want to thank the team for their commitment to developing talent and for offering young drivers like myself such a fantastic opportunity. The SPEED Series has been a great way to gain experience and offers you the ideal way to prepare to make the step up to the Le Mans Series. It allows you to put yourself in front of the people that can help you to make the jump up into the top level by being in the same paddock as them at every race weekend. I expect it will be a big challenge to adapt to a car that has so much more grip and power compared to what I have been used to driving, but I am really looking forward to it. Now I have to work really hard to make sure I’m in the best possible condition physically and mentally ahead of the test so that I can give it everything.”

Click here to find out more about Team RLR’s driver development programme.

Tough breaks put brakes on Team RLR's Estoril challenge

til — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:24:00 GMT

Team RLR wrapped up its first full season in the Le Mans Series with a fifth place LMP2 class finish after an eventful race at the Six Hours of Estoril.

The MG Motor UK backed outfit’s prospects of challenging for a podium place were dashed early on after a brake failure almost ended the MG Lola EX265’s race completely, but Rob Garofall, Barry Gates and Warren Hughes battled back to finish 17th overall from 27 starters after 201 hard fought laps in Portugal.

The race got off to a smooth start in the baking heat at Estoril, and as the field pulled away from the rolling start Garofall picked up a couple of places to move into ninth overall. He settled into a quick pace and was posting very competitive times when just after starting his 19th lap he thundered down the start/finish straight and entered the braking zone for turn one – only for the brakes to partially fail. He tried to steer through the slide but caught a wheel on the gravel and spun into the trap, having to be towed free and limp back to the pits for the damage to be repaired.

On inspection the problem was caused by a large piece of rubber picked up on track breaking a brake line. The incident cost Team RLR around 15 minutes in the pit box and around seven laps to its LMP2 class rivals - effectively sinking the chances of pushing for the podium position targeted prior to the event. Garofall returned to track in the MG Lola to begin the fightback eighth from eight in LMP2 and 24th overall.

An hour and 45 minutes into the race he came back into the box to switch with Barry Gates. Gates’ spell at the wheel started well as he posted some very quick times and benefitted from a the number 39 Pecom car coming unstuck to make up lost ground. However, a small spin resulted in contact that forced Team RLR into an unscheduled stop, which meant at the halfway point the Lancashire-based team were at the tail of the LMP2 class and 23rd overall, despite showing great pace when running.

When P2 rivals Strakka hit problems Team RLR moved up into 6th in class and 20th overall, but almost immediately technical gremlins struck and an electrical problem meant Gates was left with no readings on the steering wheel dashboard. He did a sterling job to drive around the problem without losing too much time before bringing the MG Lola EX265 in to hand over to team-mate Warren Hughes.

Hughes had only just begun to get into his stride when the electrical problem reared its head again, causing the car to cut out briefly. The Team RLR pit crew tackled the issue during a quick stop and Hughes returned to the 4.18km to set some blistering times, matching and often bettering those of the class leaders. However, the experienced endurance racer was under pressure as the HPD of Strakka Racing tried to mount a comeback from its earlier difficulties and turned up the heat in the final hour. Hughes was forced to wring every last piece of performance from the MG Lola EX265 and push its Dunlop tyres to the very limits in a bid to stay ahead and retain his position. With 10 minutes to go he was only 26 seconds ahead of the fast-closing Danny Watts, but responded with some superb times even as his tyres went off to close out the race in style.

Hughes’ outstanding effort combined with the number 45 Boutsen Energy Racing car suffering an extremely unfortunate last lap failure meant Team RLR was elevated to fifth in class and 17th overall at the chequered flag in a dramatic finale.

The result handed the British LMP2 squad a fourth top-five class finish from five Le Mans Series races in 2011.

Team RLR will now look to build on its fine showing in its first full LMS season by working with its existing partners to attract new sponsors and strengthen its programme ahead of challenging for honours in both the Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012.

Nick Reynolds, Team RLR team principal, said:
“Another frustrating day in many respects as we really felt in a good place before this race and had no issues whatsoever in the build up on Friday and Saturday. We just couldn’t have foreseen the problems we had today as they were just really unfortunate circumstances, but it put us back foot right at the start. These things happen in racing though and they can happen any time from the first lap to the last. In endurance racing you just have to try and keep a cool head and work as hard as you can to manage these situations as they arise. In terms of the season as whole the team has developed tremendously, we’ve learned a lot and taken a lot from it. I can only thank all the drivers and especially the boys in the garage for the huge amount of effort they have put in both on and off the track throughout the year. We’ve got such a strong team and I’m looking forward to showing just how good we are when we finally get a clean run.”

Warren Hughes, Team RLR driver, said:
“We should have taken a lot more than the result we got today but the issues we had just cost us too much. It was a really difficult finish to the race as we decided to triple stint the last set of tyres to try and keep the car behind at bay, and I wasn’t sure that they would last on such an abrasive track. In the end I was just relieved to be able to bring it home and finish as I really was pushing to the limit all the way. Once again the team deserved a bigger result than another fifth place, they have all worked so hard and have so much potential, we just needed a little more luck.”

Barry Gates, Team RLR driver, said:
“I felt the race was very frustrating as a few relatively small issues ended up costing us quite a lot of time in the pits. It really was a case of what might have been. The MG Lola was very good when we were on track though and I think all three of us showed some good pace when we got into clean air. It was a good battle at the end and we stuck to our task well to take the best finish we could, no one’s head ever goes down in this team. It’s been a steep learning curve for us this year, but it’s also clear that the performance penalties imposed on the car meant it was difficult to be on the ultimate pace in the class. I’m certain that if we can overcome a few things like that which have been holding us back we can achieve some very good results in the future.”

Rob Garofall, Team RLR driver, said:
“Today could’ve have been a lot better, but it could also have been a lot worse had the brakes gone completely and our race could’ve have come to a very quick, and potentially painful for me, end early on. We fought back and got to the finish again though so all was not lost. It was very satisfying to be able to go right to the wire and defend our place against some very tough opposition too. If you look at where the team as a whole and where it has come from since the start of the year, in its first full season at this level, it has grown so much and everyone has gelled together so well. There is such a determined and positive atmosphere, and it’s a great bunch of people who have done a fantastic job to get the most out of the package.”

Click here to see the final classification for the 6 Hours of Estoril.

Team RLR focussed on final flourish at Estoril

til — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:21:00 GMT

Team RLR will look to sign off its first full season in the Le Mans Series by claiming a podium finish in the final round at the Six Hours of Estoril this weekend (September 23-25).

The British LMP2 squad has already notched up three top-five class finishes in 2011, but wants to deliver on the potential it has shown by taking home silverware from the championship finale.

The MG Motor UK backed outfit will take heart from its heroic performance in the previous round at Silverstone, when it battled back from multiple engine failures and starting from the pit lane to finish fifth in class and 14th overall from 48 starters.

The outstanding recovery drive underlined the squad’s belief that it can be a podium contender given a trouble free race, and both drivers and management are now determined to deliver a top three finish at the famous Estoril circuit just over 30km to the east of Portugal’s capital Lisbon.

Team RLR tested on the 4.18km track early in 2011, but torrential downpours that left rivers of standing water on the asphalt restricted running and frustrated the team’s efforts to perfect the setup of the MG Lola EX265.

However, with warm, dry weather forecast for the upcoming race weekend Team RLR expects both the conditions and the technical nature of Estoril’s 13 turns will suit the car’s strengths.

While not in contention for the LMP2 title, the destination of which will be decided at Estoril, a podium finish for Team RLR could still land the Bolton-based squad third place in the overall LMP2 standings should other results go its way.

With the tried and tested driver combination of Warren Hughes, Barry Gates and Rob Garofall working well together the team will hope the unheard-of engine troubles it experienced at Silverstone are a thing of the past and the performance of the Dunlop shod MG Lola EX265 can be maximised throughout the three practice sessions ahead of qualifying and the six hour race itself.

The Team RLR management believe a strong result in the final event would be a major boost in securing additional sponsors and strengthening the squad’s bid to challenge for both Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans honours in 2012.

Nick Reynolds, Team RLR team principal, said:
“What we achieved at Silverstone was pretty special given the circumstances, but ultimately we didn’t get the chance to show our true potential. I hope we can now go on and do that at Estoril. We can still potentially finish third in the championship so we’re not going there to make up the numbers, we want to grab every point we can. We are still at a slight disadvantage in terms of power due to the regulations, but around Estoril I don’t think it will hurt us as much so we should be able to go really well there. Everyone in the team will be working flat out again to achieve the kind of result we think we deserve.”

Warren Hughes, Team RLR driver, said:
“It was really good to get a finish in the last race at Silverstone even after all the engine difficulties, as not only is it what the team deserved but from my point of view it was great to get more familiar with the car and the rest of the guys. Looking forward to Estoril I see no reason to think a podium is out of the question. It’s a downforce circuit so the car should be a bit more suited to the track, and I really enjoy driving there so I’m looking forward to the challenge. If we can have a trouble free run it would be nice, and I really think we can finish the season on a high if that’s the case.”

Barry Gates, Team RLR driver, said:
“With the short turnaround between the last event and this one I think we’ll all be going to Estoril feeling race ready and looking forward to it. At Silverstone we had a frustrating weekend although we went well in the race, and we feel that with a clean run we should be on the pace and be competitive at Estoril. I was there earlier in the season when we tested, although I’ve still to drive it in the dry. We carry more downforce than most cars in the LMP2 class but that should suit us better at Estoril as it’s quite technical, and that will also suit our drivers too. The team has made a lot of progress this year and we’ve had some near misses this year in terms of the results we are aiming for, so we now want to go out on a high note. We feel we’re due a decent result now and if things go our way we can finish third in the championship, which is not bad at all after a steep learning curve in our first season.”

Rob Garofall, Team RLR driver, said:
“The last event was a tough one and the final hour or so was probably as difficult as anything I’ve experienced in a race, I was physically and mentally drained by pushing so hard. However, I’m over that now and raring to go to Estoril. It’s a circuit where I’ve had some success before in other championships so I know it pretty well and really enjoy racing there. It should suit the MG Lola a little more too as it requires a higher level of downforce than some of the other circuits we’ve raced at this season. If you look at where we finished at Silverstone even after all the problems we had you can see the potential, and I think we really should be in a position for a shot at the podium. That would be a job well done and a great way to finish the season.”

Click here to buy your new Team RLR official merchandise for Estoril.

6 Hours of Estoril schedule

Friday, September 23

13:15-14:15 Le Mans Series Free Practice 1
17:30-18:30 Le Mans Series Free Practice 2

Saturday, September 24

08:55-09:55 Le Mans Series Free Practice 3
13:20-13:40 Le Mans Series Qualifying (LMP1 & LMP2)

Sunday, September 25

09:10-09:30 Le Mans Series Warm-Up
13:00-19:00 Le Mans Series Race

Fourth time lucky for Team RLR at Silverstone

til — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:09:00 GMT

Team RLR battled to a sensational fifth place finish in the LMP2 class at the 6 Hours of Silverstone - despite being forced to change an engine four times in a dramatic build up to the penultimate race of the 2011 Le Mans Series season.

Having started from the pit lane and a lap down on the rest of the field following a last-gasp engine change between warm up and qualifying, a determined drive from Warren Hughes, Barry Gates and Rob Garofall saw the MG Motor UK backed team fight back to claim 14th overall from 48 starters at the home of British motor racing.

The Lancashire-based outfit had arrived at the Northamptonshire circuit after a promising close season, believing the MG Lola EX265 was in top condition and a strong result was within its grasp.

However, after completing Friday’s opening practice sessions a major issue with what was a brand-new engine was detected, and another new unit had to be installed late in the evening.

Saturday also saw the team complete morning practice without incident, but the afternoon’s qualifying session was disrupted by a misfire that meant not only did the squad fail to record a time but incredibly another new engine had to be fitted by the tireless pit crew in the Team RLR garage.

Having spent the two previous evenings working into the small hours the team was stunned to have a third engine fail in the race warm up, and had to set about replacing it with less than two hours to the green flag and race start.

Nick Reynolds’ crew rose to the challenge and managed to fit what was the fourth engine of the weekend in record time, allowing driver Warren Hughes to join the race albeit from the pit lane.

Hughes was only just getting into his stride after a few laps however when he was shown the black and orange flag by the marshals and forced to return to the pits to check on an oil leak. What turned out to be a relatively minor issue saw the MG Lola EX265 return to the fray quickly, but having lost another few laps to the team’s LMP2 class rivals. The experienced endurance racer pushed hard to make up the lost time, so much so he blistered his hands on the steering wheel, before handing over to Barry Gates two hours in.

Gates continued the consistent form he has displayed all season and made good headway through congested traffic in the race’s middle section, and despite a small spin quickly recovered, enjoyed a largely trouble-free run to steer the MG Lola EX265 into sixth in class and 16th overall.

The comeback was well and truly on for Team RLR as Rob Garofall took over from team-mate Gates. With engine number four performing well the former Silverstone instructor took advantage of a slip from a rival car to take fifth in class and 15th overall.

However, a heart-stopping moment ensued when what at first seemed to be a puncture resulted in the front right wheel detaching and he was forced to nurse the MG Lola EX265 back to the pits. That unnerving incident cost him one place, but the Leighton Buzzard resident fought back with a series of quick times to regain it and then open up a gap big enough to ease through the final half hour and secure an outstanding comeback after 171 hard fought laps for the determined Team RLR.

The squad’s attention will now focus on ending the 2011 le Mans Series season on a high at the final round, which will take place at the Estoril circuit, Portugal, on September 23-25.

Nick Reynolds, Team RLR team principal, said:
“I just want to thank all the boys in the garage for working their socks off this weekend, they have put in an amazing amount of hard graft. I genuinely don’t think any other team could have done what they did and changed an engine between the warm up and the race and put out a car that not only went the distance, but pulled off a great result. I think we were hard done to with the pit lights not letting Warren out at the right time at the start and a couple of other incidents, but really pleased to get to the end and delighted with the effort of the whole team. With three engine changes this weekend the boys have only had about nine hours sleep over last four days, so what they’ve achieved is phenomenal really. It’s not long until the next race so we’ll have a very hard look at what the issue with the engines was and come up with a plan for the final round in Estoril.”

Warren Hughes, Team RLR driver, said:
“It’s been an incredible effort by the team to achieve this result. I’ve never experienced anything like the engine problems we’ve had at this race in 20 years of racing. To use four in one weekend is unheard of really and unbelievable bad luck, so to come through that and get fifth is a superb result. The guys in the garage have just put in a huge amount of effort, so to come back from effectively three laps down just makes it that more amazing. It just shows you should never give up in endurance racing and it seems ingrained in this team, it’s a fantastic attitude to have and to be working with them. It would be nice to go to Estoril now and have a trouble free weekend and see what we can do.”

Barry Gates, Team RLR driver, said:
“To finish fifth in our class from where we started is fantastic. Not only did we have to start from the pit lane, but also a further lap behind the rest of the field. Then we were called in after three laps for an oil leak check which cost us another lap, and we lost a wheel near the end which forced another pit stop on us. Apart from that it was a really good run! We were aiming for a podium but to come fifth even after all those dramas is a strong performance. We’re still aiming higher though, we just need a trouble free weekend.”

Rob Garofall, Team RLR driver, said:
“When you go through what we have this weekend and then get back into the garage after driving the final few hours it’s actually hard to believe we managed to finish fifth in our class. We had a whole season’s worth of problems in one day and still came away with a decent result. For the drivers it’s satisfying but this is really a testament to the team and their effort totally deserved it. There would have been no justice if they didn’t get a reward for the amount of sheer hard work they have put in this weekend in our garage. Late in the race I hit the brakes going into a corner and the front right locked up and there was a bit of smoke, so I thought I had a puncture. I was cruising back to pits when suddenly I saw a wheel roll off into the distance, I didn’t realise it was mine at first! Silverstone is such a fast track it was very hard mentally and physically in the closing stages, but I’m just really pleased for the team that we made it to the end, full credit goes to them.”

To see the final classification for the Six Hours of Silverstone click here.

Silverstone Competition winners

til — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:27:00 GMT

To celebrate the forthcoming ‘home’ Le Mans Series race at Silverstone Team RLR, in association with the MG Owners' Club, offered fans the chance to win a range of exclusive prizes - and we can now reveal the lucky winners.

Team RLR driver Barry Gates picked the following winning entries at random from the correct answers received:

One pair of tickets to 6 Hours of Silverstone on Sunday September 11th 2011, plus VIP hospitality and a chance to meet the team - Ben Wildeboer from Braydon.
2 x Alpina watches, each worth £1500, with certificates signed by Team RLR drivers - Lawrence Way from Potten End, and Tom Barrett from Loughborough.
3 x Team RLR postcards autographed by the drivers - David Wright from Eccles, John Paul from London and Oliver Ivory-Bray from Woking.

Team RLR looks forward to welcoming Ben and his guest to Silverstone for the race and hopes the other winners enjoy their prizes.

Thank you to all who took part and please look out for more fantastic Team RLR competitions coming up in the future.

Watch the Autosport 6 Hours of Silverstone live on British Eurosport on Sunday, September 11.

Click here to get the new official Team RLR t-shirt in time for Silverstone.

For more information on the MG Owners' Club click here.

Team RLR’s Sights Set on Silverstone Success

til — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:28:00 GMT

Boosted by a new driver and a major sponsor, Team RLR will enter the 6 Hours of Silverstone determined to impress in front of a home crowd at the penultimate round of the 2011 Le Mans Series next weekend (September 9-11).

The mid-season break proved to be a productive one for the Lancashire-based squad as it added former Le Mans 24 Hours winner Warren Hughes to its line-up alongside regular drivers Barry Gates and Rob Garofall, and also confirmed famous British car brand MG Motor UK as an official sponsor.

Almost a year ago exactly to the day of the race at Silverstone Team RLR was competing in only its second ever outing in the Le Mans Series at the Northamptonshire circuit.

With the addition of high profile names like Hughes and MG to its banner the LMP2 class outfit has underlined just how far it has progressed in the space of 12 months and its determination to grown into a force to be reckoned with in the future.

However, no member of Team RLR is underestimating the scale of the challenge they will face around the 5.9km and 18 turns that make up the Grand Prix Circuit at the home of British motorsport.

Doubling as an Intercontinental Le Mans Cup round the event will see 53 confirmed entries vying for glory across five classes, with Team RLR up against 10 world-class rivals in the ultra-competitive LMP2 category.

Team RLR will also be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of a DNF at the previous LMS round in Imola, where a technical issue stopped the squad’s challenge dead in its tracks on just the second lap.

However, with a recent testing session at Snetterton providing useful setup data should the weather play a part and the experience and pace of Hughes added to the consistency of Gates and Garofall, team principal Nick Reynolds believes both the MG Lola EX265 and his drivers have what it takes to shine on the big stage and add to the two top-five LMP2 class finishes already chalked up earlier this season.

Nick Reynolds, Team RLR team principal, said:
“Silverstone is a crucial event for us and we’ve been working very hard to prepare for it. We want to bounce back from the last round at Imola by securing a really strong result in front of our home crowd. It’s a fantastic place to go racing Silverstone, even more so with the addition of the new Silverstone Wing complex, and we’re looking forward to having all of our guests and fans of the team there supporting us. We’ll be up against some of the world’s top endurance racing drivers and teams, but it’s another chance to show we mean business and prove ourselves against the very best.”

Warren Hughes, Team RLR driver, said:
“I’m really looking forward to being back in action with Team RLR. I’m not sure what the weather will be like but I was impressed with how good the MG Lola was to drive in the wet during our recent test at Snetterton, so it shouldn’t be a problem if it does rain. With only testing to go on though I’m not sure how close to the pace of the class leaders we’ll be at Silverstone. Only once we’ve been out on track in practice and qualifying will we be able to judge that and settle our strategy. As long as we can stay trouble free anything can happen and a podium is not out of the question if things go our way. It would be nice to do that on home turf and then look to finish the season on a high at the final race in Estoril.”

Barry Gates, Team RLR driver, said:
“The whole team is looking forward to this event. We were a bit disappointed coming away from Imola as that had been the one hiccup in the season so far. Having managed to bring Warren Hughes back into the team is a big boost as he’s a very quick and experienced driver. We’re all excited about going to Silverstone and looking to achieve a good result on home soil. Last year at Silverstone we missed out on a decent finish close to the end of the race, so we want to put that right as we have moved on a long way since then as a team and should now be considered as serious competitors.”

Rob Garofall, Team RLR driver, said:
“Silverstone is our home round and to be racing there in such a high profile event under the banner of MG is extra special from a driver’s point of view. We were within touching distance of a good result at Silverstone last season, so we know we can go there and pose a serious challenge and be somewhere near the front of our class if everything comes together. As a racing driver my aim was always to be competing in a big championship like this and it’s a real privilege to be going to Silverstone with a great team of guys and a fantastic car to try and compete against some top opposition. I’m really looking forward to seeing all our guests and fans there to support us in what should be a superb event.”

Click here to buy your new Team RLR official merchandise for Silverstone.

Autosport 6 Hours of Silverstone Schedule

Friday, September 9

13:15-14:15 Le Mans Series Free Practice 1
17:00-18:00 Le Mans Series Free Practice 2

Saturday, September 10

09:00-10:00 Le Mans Series Free Practice 3
14:05-14:25 Le Mans Series Qualifying (LMP1 & LMP2)

Sunday, September 11

09:00-09:20 Le Mans Series Warm-Up
11:35-17:35 Le Mans Series Race

Watch the Autosport 6 Hours of Silverstone live on British Eurosport on Sunday, September 11.