ESTORIL, Portugal – NISMO athlete Harry Tincknell claimed the 2016 European Le Mans Series championship with a stunning win alongside Simon Dolan and Giedo van der Garde aboard the Nissan-powered JOTA Sport operated G-Drive Racing Gibson 015S.
After having finished second and third in the past two ELMS championship battles by a mere four points in both 2014 and 2015, the British driver took the final stint at Estoril to storm to a massive victory by 51 seconds.
At the end of 2016, the era of open engine competition comes to an end in the LM P2 class in the European Le Mans Series and FIA World Endurance Championship.
Since the debut of the ELMS in 2013, Nissan has dominated the LM P2 class taking an incredible 20 victories from 21 races.
Electrical issues for the Thiriet by TDS Racing Oreca 05 Nissan yesterday opened the door for Tincknell/Dolan and van der Garde to steal the championship at the final round in what will be the final outing for the current spec LM P2 cars.
"I've been so close to winning the ELMS title with JOTA for the past two years, and so to finally get it is a fantastic feeling, and I feel it's deserved," said Tincknell. "Winning it this year in the last season of the #Mighty38's racing life, competing against cars that have a significant speed/aero advantage, makes it all the more sweeter. While our outright pace cannot match the latest LMP2 machinery, the combination of Simon, Giedo, great teamwork from the JOTA/G-Drive crew and consistency has rewarded us with the championship title this year."
We did it! European Champions! #LMP2 #ELMS @JotaSport @simondolan @GvanderGarde @GoodridgeLTD @NISMO @FreeMUK pic.twitter.com/SFd9vgb5vJ
— Harry Tincknell (@HarryTincknell) October 23, 2016
The winners are the winners! Congrats @GDrive_Racing for the #ELMS championship and #4hEstoril victories! pic.twitter.com/1xPZAyzPsG
— ELMSeries_Official (@EuropeanLMS) October 23, 2016
NISMO Calendar
November 5-6
FIA WEC, Shanghai, China
Australian Supercars, Pukekohe, New Zealand
November 12-13
Super GT, Twin-Ring Motegi, Japan
November 19-20
FIA WEC, Bahrain
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