TINCKNELL IN EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIES POINTS HAUL MISSION
Devon driver targets Imola rostrum finish
Devon's Harry Tincknell heads for the second round of the European Le Mans Series in Italy next weekend (17-18 May) fully aware that a high points-scoring position is vital in terms of his championship title aspirations.
Having topped one of the two Free Practice sessions, claimed pole-position by an incredible margin of +1.152secs and led 69 of the opening 97-laps in the first round at Silverstone (19 Apr), the JOTA Sport Zytek crashed out of the lead with less than an hour of the race remaining.
Simon Dolan (GB) being edged out on to the grass and subsequent massive front-end impact and instant retirement saw the team's near dominant performance on 'home' soil resulting in a desperately unlucky no score.
Therefore Dolan plus team-mates Filipe Albuquerque (P) and Tincknell are focussed on a top finish in the 4 Hour race around the 22-corner, 3.05-mile Imola track near Bologna especially as there are no 'dropped' scores in ELMS so a top score is vital.
Coincidentally in the corresponding race last year, JOTA Sport started from pole-position and was leading with 42mins to go before battery failure caused its retirement.
The British team starts the Imola race on Sunday (18 May) on the back of a confidence inspiring second placing in the LMP2 class in the Spa 6 Hours (3 May) JOTA's first of two FIA World Endurance Championship races this year.
Harry Tincknell (GB). Age: 22 (29.10.91). Born: Exeter, Devon. Lives: Sidmouth, Devon (GB):
"The top-step of the podium is my aim at Imola and maintaining this season's 100% ELMS pole-position record. Spa was a great comeback for the entire team after the guys had put in many late nights to be ready in time for the race and so it was great to reward them with a podium finish in P2.
"I've never been to Imola before but I've watched the race back from last year and JOTA looked very competitive. I'll be working hard in the simulator and soaking up as much information from Simon and Filipe about the track so that I can go there as prepared as possible.
"It's a high down force circuit so should suit our Zytek very well. We'll head to Italy with our confidence renewed and with a determined attitude to climb the championship table."
