MG Lola


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29th April 2002

KnightHawk Racing, in preparation for the Le Mans Practice Session on May 5th, will be testing their MG Lola 675 LMP at Britain's Snetterton circuit on Monday and Tuesday, April 29 and 30, reports David Knowles of 'MG World'.

MG Lola

The two driver/owners, Steve Knight and Mel Hawkins, will be testing in the new car over a two-day period, after which the car will be transported to Le Mans on Wednesday in preparation for Sunday's practice session.

Located on a former WWII US air base, the Snetterton circuit has two of the longest straights in England and is an ideal venue for speed trials - and for simulating Le Man's famed Mulsanne Straight.

The team has also secured the driving skills of Duncan Dayton for the Le Mans race in June. Dayton is no stranger to the MG Lola, having helped score a 1st in class and 7th overall in Intersport's MG Lola at this year's Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. Dayton is currently second in Driver's Points for the American Le Mans Series LMP 675 class. Although Dayton will not be participating in the testing session at Snetterton, he will be joining the team at the Le Mans Practice Session.

"We chose Snetterton because it presents a combination of great safety, good technical turns and high speed," says Hawkins. "Steve and I both really need to shake this car down in non-race conditions and gain a greater understanding of the car. As I've said previously, we just got the car in mid-February and have not had much time behind the wheel at all. I look forward to spending a considerable amount of time in the car, behind the wheel - hopefully 3-4 hours each day. We will not be conducting any development - except with regard to tires. I'm also glad that we've finalized the addition of Dayton to the Le Mans effort - I'm looking forward to competing with him."

"We're really excited about the opportunity to test for a few days at Snetterton. I know that both Mel and I welcome the chance to spend more time in the car," says Knight. "It will also give the crew the chance to work on various set-ups - I know that we're all looking forward to it."

"I very much look forward to this opportunity to drive KnightHawk's MG Lola at Le Mans," says Dayton. "I think they are a great team, and driving together with Steve and Mel, I think we have a very good chance for a strong finish."

"This test will be great for KnightHawk as a team," remarked Team Manager Mike Johnson. "We had to put this effort together on such short notice to make it to Sebring, and subsequently we experienced a few teething problems. These test days will allow the team to come together without race pressure. I feel confident that after the two days at Snetterton both the team and drivers will be ready to press forward."

More details of the KnightHawk team's exploits will appear in 'MG World' magazine - log on for subscription details of the world's best major-circulation MG magazine.


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