Creation Autosportif six hour report

CREATION LAUNCHES LE MANS COMEBACK

Despite technical set backs in the opening two hours of today's race, the Bicester, England-based Creation team is fighting its way back into contention at quarter distance in the 24 Hour of Le Mans.

When Nicolas Minassian took the start at 4.00pm, it was an historic moment for the young British team making their debut at the world's most famous endurance race.

The Frenchman ran a trouble-free double stint in 7th position, keeping in close contact with all but the two leading cars. Minassian came into the pits on schedule and handed over the wheel to his British LMES driving partner, Jamie Campbell-Walter, who was then unfortunate enough to experience two separate, unconnected technical problems in quick succession.

A broken mechanical connection between the paddle-shift and the gearbox necessitated an unscheduled pit stop for repairs. No sooner had Campbell-Walter returned to the track than the team's telemetry indicated high water temperature and dropping water pressure. Quick action and a further unscheduled pit stop meant that the problem - a faulty seal on the water pump - was detected and fixed in the least amount of time possible.

Great pitwork by the Creation team saw the Briton rejoin the race after 25 minutes and he then completed some of the DBA-Judd's fastest laps of the race in a fight back which saw him move from 38th to 22nd position over the remainder of his triple stint.

After handing over the car to fellow Briton Andy Wallace, Campbell-Walter said, "It's not bad out there now. The car is fine, running well, and the only problem I had was some pins and needles in my hands and feet. It's hot, but we obviously don't suffer the heat like the drivers of the closed cockpit cars so it's manageable."

The next bulletin will be at 0400 hrs.

-ca-