The annual trip to Spa Francorchamps for the European Le Mans Series usually has some twist in the tail, and more often the weather has a part to play.
This year’s race was no exception, as the race started in damp but drying conditions and favoured the brave.
The 360 crew of Mark Richards, Ross Kaiser and Terrence Woodward had come through the various practice sessions in their Ligier JSP 320 unscathed, before Kaiser went out in the official qualifying session.
Most of the fastest laps were done early in the session, with Kaiser recording his on the second of six for 10th on the grid.
The rain had stopped but the conditions were mixed for the start of the four-hour race, with Richards taking the first stint.
“The start was OK as most of us were on slicks. I think one third of the track was wet and two thirds dry, but the Radillon, Eau Rouge section was wet,”he explained.
He was eighth in the LMP3 Class at the end of the opening lap, “there were cars spinning and I just missed a Ferrari GTE, so we just had to be careful for the first six laps or so,” he added.
He was up to seventh on lap eight, before Interpol’s Kapryzk got by, but both then progressed through the order, partly aided by early stoppers.
By the end of lap 13 Richards was fourth, “some made their stops early under full course yellows, but we stayed out until just after the first hour,had OK pace, but no spins,” he said.
