SUCCESSFUL FIRST TEST FOR BEECHDEAN MANSELL MOTORSPORT

By the end of the two day test the team was happy with the progress made, with the wet and dry lap times proving to be competitive compared to the other LMP1 teams in attendance, which included Olivier Panis and Nicolas Lapierre for Team Oreca.
 
The first day of the two day test was spent shaking down the car and finding a set up that all three drivers could work with in the very wet conditions.  Nigel Mansell drove for the majority of day one, working on a suitable set up with the engineers before handing over the car to first Leo and then Greg to complete day one.  Day two was still wet but as the day wore on the track did dry out so the team were able to switch to Dunlop slicks for most of the afternoon session.  Leo and Greg shared the majority of the driving duties on day two, with Nigel completing a few laps in the afternoon’s dry conditions.  During the two day test the Beechdean Mansell team garage proved to be very popular with the rest of the pitlane with plenty of Beechdean Farmhouse Dairy Ice Cream available for everyone.  
 
Nigel Mansell said: “It's truly brilliant when you can draw breath and say that the test has surpassed every expectation.  The Zytec engine powered car worked pretty flawlessly; I'm so proud of Leo and Greg, the times they got down to in a very short window were very competitive with the Oreca car, which was obviously the main test car, being supported so well by Dunlop.  To gell a team in just three and a half months is fantastic and while we know we have a huge challenge ahead, we are so pleased with what has been accomplished here.”
 
The Beechdean Mansell Motorsport Ginetta Zytek GZ09S will next be on track at the official LMS test at Paul Ricard HTTT in the South of France on March 7/8.