James’ impressive fightback thwarted within sight of finish at Blue Riband event
Morpeth-born James Kell was denied a likely Gold Cup podium finish in the latest GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup event at Spa-Francorchamps (27-28 June).
Aggressive driving combined with very good strategy from the CSA Racing team saw the McLaren 720S James shared with Simon Gachet, Arthur Rougier and Jim Pla, launch its way from the back to the front.
But with a little over one hour remaining, with a class podium in their sights, an alternator issue denied James a top result in a race that brought together the best teams and drivers in global GT sportscar racing.
The 30-year-old McLaren GT3 Junior Driver had made his Spa debut in the corresponding race in 2023, won the Silver Cup the following year and placed third in the Gold Cup last year.
Unfortunately James’ McLaren began this year’s race from the very back of the 70-car field due to an issue identified in a post qualifying technical inspection.
But incredibly, after two-hours, their McLaren was inside the top-30. An hour later they were in the top-20 and dicing in the Gold Cup top-three. By mid-distance the McLaren headed its class and was sixth overall.
Two separate punctures on Sunday morning, an unscheduled pit-stop for rear suspension repairs after contact with another car, then alternator failure saw the #111 McLaren come home fifth in the Gold Cup, with James now placed fourth in the Endurance Cup standings.
“Motor racing can be cruel sometimes and that really sums up Spa for me this year,” he conceded. “Despair after an issue was found in qualifying causing us to start from the very back of the grid. Elation when we forced our way into the class lead and top-six overall. Then misery when a series of time-consuming incidents cost us a top result!
“I had been the fastest McLaren in qualifying but our car was found to have a technical infringement, an unfortunate error and certainly not intentional, which actually made the car harder to drive.
“Starting at the back of the grid meant all four of us needed to be very aggressive behind the wheel in an attempt to move ourselves up the leaderboard. We clawed our way into the Gold Cup lead and sixth overall before suffering two separate slow punctures.
“We then had contact with another car through no fault of ours, which broke a suspension link, but despite these setbacks, we were still in with a chance of at least a class podium and a top-10 overall finish.
“But Lady Luck really turned against us, and with about one-and-a-half hours remaining, the McLaren’s alternator decided to give up on us, losing us more laps with repairs. These things unfortunately happen and it’s a case of taking it on the chin and looking ahead to the next race.”
For further information, please contact:
Martyn Pass Public Relations Ltd. Tel: 07801 859502
You must be logged in to post a comment.