Despite tricky conditions the JD Classics race team enjoyed success after one of its three-car strong entry brought home an outright win in the 45-minute Le Mans Legend race, which supports the official Le Mans 24 Hours.
Most successful of all three JD Classics entries was the Cunningham Costin Lister featuring JD Classics latest specification in-house designed and built competition six-cylinder engine. This important historic competition car competed in period as a semi-works entry driven by Sir Stirling Moss and Walt Hansgen.
Driven at Le Mans by Jaguar Heritage Racing works driver Alex Buncombe, during Friday qualifying he took advantage of a clear lap and put the Lister on pole by a significant three seconds ahead of second place.
This pace was shared with the ex-Fangio Jaguar C-type of JD Classics Managing Director Derek Hood and Chris Ward who qualified 1st in Class 1A, but John Youngs ex-Canadian works Austin Healey 100S was hampered by the traffic from a 60-car field.
The circuit remained dry for qualifying but the heavens started to open as thousands of spectators lined the infamous circuit to watch the race unfold. At the start Alex dropped one place in the Lister but soon regained the lead before the hallowed Dunlop Bridge, and by the end of lap one he was some 10 seconds clear of second place.
As the rain intensified Alex took the mandatory pit stop before rejoining the race and by the race finish had pulled out an astonishing 43-second overall lead. Behind Alex the field continued to battle.
Among them was the ex-Fangio C-type that was handed over to Chris Ward following a strong first stint by Derek Hood. In adverse weather conditions Chris managed to take 2nd in class and 17th overall. While John Young and his Austin Healey 100S improved on qualifying by working through the field to 3rd in class and 20th overall.
Elated with his victory, Alex was awarded on the same podium used the following day by the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours winners.
Speaking immediately after the race Alex Buncombe said: I am a big fan of the Lister so driving it is a real privilege, especially to a race win at an event such as Le Mans. The conditions were very tricky but the whole JD Classics team has done a great job.
JD Classics Managing Director Derek Hood commented: Its been fantastic to support a race as prestigious as the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Although heavy rain inspired little confidence Im delighted with Alexs race winning performance and the strong results of Chris Ward in the C-type and John Young in the Healey.
JD Classics
JD Classics is one of the leading classic car companies and is based in Essex, England. Formed in the late 1980s, JD Classics now uses a team of 35 specialists who restore, race and sell classic cars to clients worldwide. Amongst its portfolio, JD Classics works with Jaguar Heritage Racing and is the official works factory race team.
Photo credit: Jeff Bloxham
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