Team Kolles race report

Sensational result for team Kolles in Le Mans

After months of hardest efforts and preparation finally the time had come on the 13th and 14th of June. Team Kolles had their first 24hours race in Le Mans.

Already at the tests preceding the event, the six drivers from Dr. Colin Kolles gave their very best, to prepare themselves, as well as the car, with numerous laps and concentrated set up work for the hardest and most prestigious race in the world.

Finally, after an impressing starting grid presentation, they were to start the race punctually at 3pm from position 13 (Albers, Bakkerud, Mondini) and 14 (Karthikeyan, Lotterer, Mondini).

Tragically Narain Karthikeyan, who was planned to do the start with the # 14 Audi R10 TDI fell, whilst trying to jump over the pitwall, on his shoulder so unluckily that he wasn't able to join the race anymore. So Charles Zwolsman, in the proverbial last minute, was appointed to do the start and was confronted with the big task to master the 24 hours together with new member Andre Lotterer only.

What followed next was motorsport at its best: lap by lap, hour by hour the two of them fought themselves through the race and didn't even let themselves be stopped by a damaged gearbox at around 6am. In the end they celebrated a terrific 7th place.

Starting number 15 started the race with its usual cast. Started from position 13, they eked out for a no less impressing 9th place. Unfortunately they had to stop at the box twice to repair damaged suspension parts caused by tire blowouts as well as some frontsplitter changes, which certainly cost time.

Dr. Colin Kolles: "What this team has shown this weekend was simply brilliant! Both team and drivers achieved something great. We were all here in Le Mans for the first time, and to finish with both cars in the top ten at your premiere is simply impressing. I'm especially sorry for Narain, who really was looking forward to the race and then couldn't join because of an unlucky accident. My whole respect goes out to Andre Lotterer and Charles Zwolsman, who really performed a masterstroke. The

24 hours are already unbelievably hard with three drivers, but to get the car in on seventh position with only two drivers deserves highest recognition!

Whereas I'm of course equally happy for Christijan Albers, Christian Bakkerud and Giorgio Mondini. They fought hard and were, despite diverse waiting times in the pits, rewarded with place nine.

My special thanks go out to my team: the guys worked perfect and hard, didn't lose their nerves even in the most stressful situations and finally made this result possible."

-credit: team kolles