Zytek qualifying report

Zytek Nissan Partnership Dominates Qualifying
First three places in LMP2 for Anglo-Japanese alliance

#46 TDS Racing Oreca 03 - Nissan: Mathias Beche, Pierre Thiriet, Jody Firth

Photo by: DPPI

The new Zytek and Nissan partnership is already becoming a dominant force in the LMP2 class of Le Mans-style racing. In its first European appearance, the Six Hours of Le Castellet, the new 4.5-litre V8 Nissan VK45DE has totally dominated qualifying with the first three places in its class. This follows the pole position won by the engine on its debut at the Sebring 12 Hours.

A truly international trio of drivers and teams came out on top after the 20-minute qualifying session, finishing fourth, fifth and sixth overall behind the far more expensive LMP1 contenders. Heading them was Swiss Matthias Beche in the TDS Racing ORECA followed by Austria's Dominik Kraihamer in Boutsen Energy Racing's ORECA and Tom Kimber-Smith driving one of Zytek's own chassis, the Z11SN, for Greaves Motorsport. Just over one second separated the three.

Zytek's representative in the LMP1 class also performed well. Olivier Pla, driving Quifel-ASM's Zytek 09SC, finished third overall in qualifying despite being baulked on what was looking likely to be his best lap.

"We are delighted with the first qualifying session of the LMS season," says Zytek Operations Director, John Manchester. "It helps further strengthen the partnership between Nissan and Zytek.

-source: zytek