Le Mans Legends 1949 to 1965 Race 2011

MRL Le Mans Legends Race 2011      (Support race to the Le Mans 24hr Race)

Race Car:- Aston Martin DB2 light weight Le Mans 1951 (non-team car)

Paddock Shots before qualifying

Qualifying Thursday 9th June 1hour.

Weather warm slight wind and over cast.

Total laps:- 10.
Best Lap time:- 6mins 16sec.
Grid position:- 55th
Grid sizes:-61 Plus reserves.

Car ran well with some vibration at above 100mph. Before the pit stop to tighten the new half shafts the DB2 would only rev to 4,500rpm and a top speed of 115mph.The points were re-set and the car ran better at higher speed down the Mulsanne and rev to 5,500 and about 132mph.

The brakes were very good just a few clunks from the new springs but after a few laps this stopped.

The Race Saturday 11th 2011

Total Race Time:- 51mins 49sec.  Ave speed 126.2Kph

Total Laps:- 8

Best Lap time:- 6mins 4sec

Final Position:- 42nd

Class Position:- 6th.

Total starters:- 61

Top speed down Mulsanne:- 140mph at 5,800 rpm

Best Lap Ave speed:- 134.40Kph

Fastest lap:- 8th 

Sector Times:- All on 8th lap sector 1 = 58.36, 2 = 2.17.59, 3 = 2.49.02

Race Results Legends Le Mans 2011

Photos during the race

Car ran very well although top end speed started to drop off over the last two laps. The top speed down the Mulsanne was about 140mph for a few seconds but I think the car with a tune up would rev a little higher to about 6,200 rpm which should be good for about 143 mph.

Not bad for a 2,580 cc engine when all the other cars in the class were 3L plus.

I think the car would be capable of a lap time of about 5mins 55sec. I was a bit slow through sector 3 as it was my first drive at Le mans and I wanted to make sure I got the car to the end of the race.

I have a good race against the HRG Le Mans Light weight of Chris Conoley/Allen Tice, I over took them several times down the Mulsanne straight and going into Indianapolis but each time was over taken again going through the Porsche curves. They were a head at the end but it at least made a race of it as in these big races you can often end up going round on your own.

The brakes were very good and the car handled well after all the work to the rear end after the half shaft breaking in the previous race.

Post Race:-

Its a tough job

Duncan with Sir Stirling Moss (last Race)

Awards post race

Jonanthan and Susan pit crew

Darren taking kit down to the pits.

A few short videos at The Dunlop Turn and Bridge

My Thanks to the following people

Duncan & Lindsey for organizing a great race meeting.

Darren from Wren Classic (mechanic & pit crew).

Jonathan & Susan as pit crew.

Liz for going at all.

Donington Festival RAC Woodcote Trophy

RAC Woodcote Trophy Race 30th April 2011.

Weather :- Warm, Sunny, Windy.

Race Number:- 21

Qualifying: 30 minutes

Grid: 32 cars

Best Lap: 1min 38.9sec

Qualifying Position: 28th                 Row 14 on grid.

Car was handling better than normal with the rear end more controlled due to changes in the tyre pressures.

Had one small off at the old hairpin when I hit a patch of oil and went off backwards but got the car back under control and managed to avoid the gravel. Completed one more lap and came in as the track was slippery with oil and it was unlikely I was going to get any quicker.


Race:- 60 minutes.

Results:-   DNF   4 laps

The car was heavily fueled to to see how it handled with 85L of fuel as a test run before Lemans. The car was    moving about more at the rear with a pendulum effect going down to the old hairpin. So I planned to take it easy for 10 laps to get rid of some of the weight then pick up speed.

I was running 21st when the car broke its half shaft.

Half shaft broke off left rear wheel going into Redgate. Wheel went under car damaged some of the under side body work, brakes, hubs etc. Car came to rest side on mid way round Redgate corner. Not the best place to end up but I got out quickly and the race went under the safety car until my car as removed which only took a few minutes.

A Series of Photographs showing the the rear wheel coming away going into Redgate.

All Photographs by John Retter.

The car rear left side was trolley jacked up and the car was wheeled back to the Paddock by the Wren Sport Team.

The car should be OK for the Le Mans Legends Race on the 11th June which precedes the 24hrs race.

Aston Martin DB2 Le Mans 1951 Team Spec Car

Here are a few pictures to show the special features of a 1951 Team Spec car as they were raced in the Le Mans 24hr race in 1951.

Top down view of Aston Martin DB2 Le Mans 1951 Team SPEC car.

Some race pictures

DB2 Le Mans 1951 in action at Spa

DB2 about to over take at Spa 2011 (Picture by John Retter).

Perspex side widow with square rotating opening.

Low deep front air scoop.

Blue pit light (spitfire landing light) in correct 1951 position.

Air roof vent, high level number light at rear and enclosed number plate.

Enclosed with internal lighting number plate.

Aston Martin Team Dash 1951 spec with the addition of trip.

Team spec dash as per 1951

Fully drilled light weight chassis in Dove Grey.

Duel filler tanks

2.6L straight six with triple 40 DOCE webers and air box.

The End