HUNTINGDON-based car manufacturer Lola Cars has triumphed at the Le Mans 24 hour race for the fourth consecutive year. At the rain-soaked circuit in the north of France, the Lola-powered Binnie Motorsports team took the chequered flag in the LMP2 class af

HUNTINGDON-based car manufacturer Lola Cars has triumphed at the Le Mans 24 hour race for the fourth consecutive year.

At the rain-soaked circuit in the north of France, the Lola-powered Binnie Motorsports team took the chequered flag in the LMP2 class after 24 hours of gruelling racing.

The Anglo-American team of Bill Binnie, Allen Timpany and Chris Buncombe negotiated the world-famous La Sarthe circuit without significant stoppages to prevail.

The Lola B05/40 Zytek did not miss a beat, securing Lola's fifth victory in seven years, and finishing 18th overall.

An ecstatic Binnie, who also tasted success with the Lola B2K/40 in 2003, said: "I am delighted, but not surprised that we have done so well. We were careful and well-prepared - and that paid dividends. Everyone played their part and it was a great feeling to win after experiencing such difficult conditions at the beginning and end of the race."

The Binnie Motorsports team completed 317 laps of the track - and was one of only two LMP2 cars to complete the event.

Binnie and Timpany drove a series of solid, clean stints at the beginning of the race, steering clear of several accidents.

Teammate Buncombe impressed in his first ever Le Mans race, and was rewarded by being chosen to cross the finishing line, triggering wild celebrations in the Binnie Motorsports pits.

The team survived a late electrical scare to take the chequered flag in torrential rain. A delighted Buncombe said: "I had no doubts that the Lola would make the finish. Everything felt right and the strategy went to plan. Apart from a slight contact early in the race it was a faultless performance."

Elsewhere, Lola also recorded two finishes in the more powerful LMP1 class. Charouz Racing System encountered five punctures, a major accident and a pit fire, but still managed to claim an impressive eighth overall, completing 337 laps of the track.

Alex Yoong, driver of the Charouz Lola B07/17, said: "We seemed to endure more than our share of bad luck over the 24 hours, but the character of the team shone through. The Lola took a real hammering, but it is tough and to finish fifth in the LMP1 class is a real achievement given all the incidents."

The Chamberlain Synergy Lola B07/10 AER got off to a nightmare start, with a puncture on its first lap, but still completed the circuit, finishing 20th overall.

A further three Lola cars did not make the finish line - a fate which befell half of those that started the race.

The Swiss Spirit (Lola-Audi), Quifel-ASM (Lola AER) and RML (MG-Lola) all fell short despite exceptional efforts.

Martin Birrane, chairman of Lola Cars, told The Hunts Post: "To score four consecutive LMP2 victories at Le Mans is a remarkable achievement.

"Binnie Motorsports did a brilliant job at the weekend, as did all six of our customers. What it shows the world is that Lola Cars design and build the fastest and strongest supercars in the world.

"This, in turn, reflects on the second-to-none technical capabilities and fantastic, committed, staff in Huntingdon."

INFORMATION: For more on Lola Cars visit www.lola-group.com