Michael Lyons was delighted with his performance in the #89 AKKA ASP Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, managing to get within touching distance of the Pro-Am class podium of the Total 24 Hours of Spa after starting from the pitlane.
Lyons, who was partnered by Danielle Perfetti, Laurent Cazanave and Morgan Moullin Traffort, finished in fourth place in Pro-Am and a mighty nineteenth overall, only a lap down from the podium spot.
Starting from the pitlane due to a precautionary engine change after qualifying, Bishop’s Stortford-based Lyons had carved his way into eighteenth place in Pro-Am and thirty fifth overall, in the huge 65 car entry, at the end of the first hour.
Despite a failed drinks system which forced the team to do 22 hours without valuable liquid refreshment and completing their mandatory five minute mechanical stop under green flag conditions, Lyons was very happy with the progress the team had made after its compromised start.
“We kept out of trouble and all of the guys really did do a fantastic job.” Lyons reflected.
“The car was great, we had very good pace, and there were no issues at all in any of the pit-stops. It’s been a great weekend, I think we’re pretty satisfied with P4 from a pitlane start!”
However, he reckoned that fulfilling the mandatory five minute stop under green flag conditions had prevented the team from securing a podium finish.
“Unfortunately that cost us quite a bit of time to the others. If we’d have been able to do it when there was a Full Course Yellow period, I’m sure we could have finished the race on the podium.
“We’re all still very happy with the result though and it’s a great boost ahead of the Nurburgring.”
The race boosted the team’s position in the Pro-Am standings in the Endurance Cup, as the AKKA ASP entry not only scored points for it’s fourth placed finish, it also scored points for third and seconds during the first two points scoring intervals.
As a result, Lyons and his team-mates have rocketed into seventh place in the Pro-Am standings – a mere four points shy of the coveted top three with the grand finale of the Blancpain Endurance Cup season, round five, will take place at the Nurburgring over the weekend 17/18 September.
