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25.08.2010
A historic win for Michelin in Hungary
For the first time since the start of the Le Mans Series in 2004, a round of the competition has been won by an LMP2 prototype. Strakka Racing's Michelin-shod HPD-ARX 01c caused a stir by claiming outright victory at the Hungaroring.
All the LMP1 prototypes entered by Michelin's partners were hit by technical problems, including the Oreca-run Peugeot which was delayed by transmission trouble while leading. The collective rout of the front-runners enabled Michelin's sole LMP2 runner – the Strakka Racing HPD-ARX 01c of Watts/Leventis/Kane – to clinch outright victory.
Today's result wasn't Michelin and Strakka Racing's first flash of brilliance together this year as they also caused an upset at Le Mans by securing a remarkable fifth place in the celebrated 24-hour classic behind the Audi and Peugeot prototypes.
Lapping on medium-compound Michelin tyres, the HPD-ARX 01c claimed pole position at the twisty Hungarian circuit, too, lapping faster than all the top LMP1 prototypes before going on to win today's six-hour race. The British-based car was followed across the line by five other LMP2 cars.
Michelin also took the top prize once again in LMGT2 with the N°77 Porsche. This fiercely fought class saw Michelin runners monopolise the top-five places.
Serge Grisin, manager of Michelin Competition's four-wheel racing activities said: ‘This was the first visit of the Le Mans Series to this unique and twisty circuit which tends to be tough on tyres. Michelin had never previously raced here with prototypes and our technical staff did a first class job during practice to be able to recommend the most competitive tyre solutions to our partners.’
The fifth and final round of the 2010 Le Mans Series will take teams to Silverstone over the weekend of 10-12 September. The British race will also kick off the inaugural Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, which means that Michelin's factory partners Audi and Peugeot will face each other for the first time since June's Le Mans 24 Hours.
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