Having started fourth and stormed through the field to pull out a lead of over 40 seconds, Ecurie Ecosse were left disappointed on Sunday (17 September) at Donington with the first failure to finish a Henderson Insurance Brokers LMP3 Cup Championship race all season.
Alasdair McCaig and Colin Noble finished the opening race of the weekend in sixth position after contact with a rival forced a puncture and extra stop. McCaig started fourth for the season finale after rain interrupted the ten-minute qualifying session. He then put in a phenomenal drive to lead convincingly at the half way stage. With the track conditions deteriorating, Noble was a passenger as the Ligier aquaplaned off the circuit and into the first retirement of what was a sensational championship-winning campaign.
Alasdair McCaig
“I was very happy with my stint. Christian (England) is very quick obviously as ELMS champion, so I was happy to follow close behind. With the limited testing I have had compared to our competitors I now feel fully on top of my driving as a bronze rated driver in my first season in LMP3. It was unfortunate we sustained contact from Matt Bell, but we have had a good run up until now.”
Colin Noble
“We got up into the lead with the #3 car coming with me and then he out-braked himself and ran into the back of me into the last turn, giving me a puncture.
“We had really good pace and closed back up on the battle for fifth from over 20 seconds behind, but just ran out of laps.”
Alasdair McCaig
“First of all, it’s been a fantastic season for us in the Henderson LMP3 Cup. We’ve won half of the races and to claim the title ahead of the final meeting was a fantastic result for us and a credit to all of those at Nielsen Racing and our partners.
“It’s disappointing to end the season with a DNF, but I can go into the long winter period knowing that was one of my best drives ever. I love the rain and to bring the car in at the half way mark with a substantial lead is very satisfying.”
Colin Noble
“I aquaplaned off on the uphill run after the Old Hairpin. I was at half-throttle and then I was aquaplaning and had no chance. It’s pretty frustrating as the pace was pretty good. Next is Spa for the Michelin Le Mans Cup.”
Ecurie Ecosse now heads to Spa-Francorchamps for the sixth race of the Michelin Le Mans Cup this weekend.
Drivers interested in joining the team for the 2018 season can now apply here.