Top Finish in Le Mans Weekend Opener

Mark Holme and Colin Kingsnorth have been French Championship regulars this season and were one of the fortunate crews to get invited to participate in their Team Viking Ursus Capital Racing car.

They had been just inside the top 40 during the two free practice sessions, which used the whole 8.467 mile lap of the circuit. “I didn’t get out in the first session as it was red flagged, so Colin and Jonny Hoad shared it. I started to get to know the circuit and enjoyed it though,” said Holme.

Qualifying was on Thursday and the Viking Ursus duo were 30^th quickest, just 5.47 secs away from the pole time.

”Jonny, Colin and I all got a flying lap but we were still learning . We were briefly 23^rd, but Colin was compromised in traffic and we settled in 30^th,” Holme added.

Kingsnorth took the opening stint in greasy and wet conditions for the mass start, making it difficult to progress. After six laps it was time to pit and hand the car to Holme.

“We had a good change and refuel and it had started well,  with the track drying out in places. But it was still wet under the tree line and at the chicanes on the Mulsanne Straight , but totally dry in others,” said Holme.

He was up to 15^th when it was time to pit and handover again and Kingsnorth was quick to progress again on rejoining. He was into the top 10 when it was time to make the third stop, “we had got lucky when there was a slow zone, but lost out similarly later on,” Holme explained,

By half distance they were consistently inside the top 20 on a now totally dry track, giving Holme the fastest lap of their race.

Kingsnorth handed the car back to Holme again for the final stint of the race in 17^th, but there were still places to be gained. “We had found our pace and were fairly consistent, but the Belgian cars could still pull away on the straights. So I had to work with the other drivers and make places in the draught,” he explained.

So after four hours and 42 laps of the legendary road circuit, they were rewarded with 13^th place, having gained one place on the final lap.

“We had a few engine issues, but a great result as we were racing against some real stars, including nine times Le Mans 24hrs winner Tom Kristensen,” Holme concluded.