Round Two of the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge at Snetterton on 28 May saw Nicholas Mee Racing sweep to victory – and score the team’s first-ever outright race win. Following its 4th place in the first round at Silverstone in April, NMR now stands at the top of the 2011 ranking.

The team’s regular driver Karsten le Blanc, who was teamed with Dan de Zille, started the 3-hour race from second on the grid and – by the second corner – had taken the lead. Due to oil on the track, a safety car and other incidents, Le Blanc pitted earlier than planned for the first mandatory pitstop before returning to the race. At half distance, he again pitted while in 4th position and handed the car to de Zille. After NMR’s third compulsory pitstop, again during a safety car period, de Zille pushed on to take 1st place. With just three minutes of the race to go, the heavens opened but, despite torrential rain, de Zille took the chequered flag more than a minute ahead of Stuart Hall and Chris Kemp’s Stratton Motor Co. car in second.

Said de Zille, “What an amazing day! While it was disappointing to miss out on a shot at pole, Karsten did a great job keeping us in contention at the front. It was great racing through the pack and the guys behind ensured I could never let up the pace, pushing hard to the end. As a first outright race win it’s brilliant, and to do it in an Aston Martin, and by such a margin, is the icing on the cake.”

Karsten le Blanc added, “I couldn’t have hoped for better – a great car, smart strategy, a fantastic team effort and the best possible result.”

The next round is at Donington Park on 25 June.

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Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Nicholas Mee Racing