Motor Racing: Bell's in op gear in Spain success

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 8, 2008

MORPETH'S Robert Bell has celebrated victory in the first round of the Le Mans Series.

The British sportscar driver, partnered by Gianmaria Bruni, piloted one of the Virgo Motorsport team's Ferrari 430 GT2 racers to success at the Catalunya circuit near Barcelona in Spain.

Around 28,000 spectators filled the grandstands to watch the action, with 46 cars competing in four different classes.

The event was set for thrilling racing and it did not disappoint - with the No 96 Ferrari of Bell and Bruni featuring extensively.

The duo reigned supreme from the first session, topping the class time sheets from the start and keeping up the dominant pace through each track session, culminating in their class pole and class win.

Nevertheless, victory did not come easily. The team had worked hard to have the car ready for the first event, fitting the 2008 upgrade kit, including engine and fuel tank updates.

With only minor technical problems in the first session, the car ran well in the lead up to the race.

Bell was behind the wheel for the first stint in the race, but within the first hour - while leading the class - he was tagged by one of the Aston Martins, pushing him off line and resulting in a puncture and a very slow return to the pits.

However, with Bruni now at the wheel, the pair clawed their way back into contention and were lying third by the end of the second hour of running - and within the third hour the Ferrari was back in the lead.

In the final hour there was further drama for the team with Bruni being hit by a Porsche, sending him into the gravel - and with damage to the front splitter it was an unscheduled pitstop for repairs.

Fortunately. the team were able to retain the lead to take their first win of the season.

Bell said: "It was a very good weekend for us.

"We did not expect to be quite so dominant, but it seems the Dunlop rubber had the upper hand at this track.

"The tyres were exceptional and really kept us ahead, but don't think we are going to have this level of advantage at our tracks."

Bell returns to racing action with CR Scuderia in the opening round of the FIA GT Championship, the home event taking place at Silverstone from April 1 8-20.

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GUEST: James Cracknell