Can Toyota's #7 crew break its Le Mans curse?
One Toyota, normally with the number 7 on the side, always seems to attract the bad luck in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez are hoping for a change in fortune this time around, but face significantly more unknowns than in recent years
Is the bad luck of the #7 Toyota finally going to turn this year? Surely it has to some time: the Circuit de la Sarthe must owe you one.
Mike Conway: I never feel like that event owes anyone – it’s one of those races. You just keep going and do your best. When we’ve been the people to beat at Le Mans, we’ve always felt good about our performance even if the result wasn’t what we were looking for. If we win because of luck, it will still be a win and I’m sure it will feel good.
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Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 32nd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 75 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.
Gary, who also writes for Autoweek, Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.
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