EAST Yorkshire racer Guy Smith finished third on his debut for the Rebellion Racing team in the opening round of the Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard in France.
The 35-year-old, from Beverley, co-drove the Anglo-Swiss team’s Lola Coupé with Andrea Belicchi (Italy) and Jean-Christophe Boullion (France) in the eight-hour endurance sportscar event.
“I’m absolutely elated with third place overall and effectively second position in the unofficial ‘petrol division’.
“It’s a stunning result and bodes well for the Le Mans 24 Hours,” said Smith, whose only other scheduled race for Rebellion is the Le Mans race on June 12 and 13.
Boullion set the fifth quickest time in qualifying, the third fastest time achieved by a petrol-engined sportscar but the Frenchman, and then Smith, placed the Lola a solid third by mid-distance and remained there in the 950 mile-race at the three and a half mile venue.
Smith finished only 67 seconds behind the second-placed Aston Martin after a determined final stint by Britain’s 2003 Le Mans 24 Hour race winner.
Added Smith: “It’s a great start and perfect preparation for Le Mans – I’m very excited for the race in June.”
Smith is now flying out to California in readiness for the second round of the American Le Mans Series staged on the streets of Long Beach, Los Angeles on Saturday.
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