Any round the clock race is tough on those involved, but the elation of completing the marathon cannot be underestimated – standing on the podium is the icing on the cake.
That's what Alex Brundle achieved last weekend when the Jackie Chan DC Racing number 37 car, led by the King's Lynn racer, finished the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hour race in third place overall and second in the LMP2 category at the completion of the classic round the clock event.
'Back to the Le Mans 24 Hour podium. The stuff dreams are made of,' reflected Brundle. 'I'm absolutely empty.'
The Brundle-led squad were promoted to their finishing position post-race with the exclusion of the 13 car due to their team having modified the rear bodywork to give easier access to the a troublesome starter motor.
To complete a highly successful event for the Jota Sport squad, who run the DC Racing team, the 38 car, led by Newmarket's Oliver Jarvis, won the LMP2 category and even led outright in the latter stages until a recovering Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 car steamed past with just over an hour remaining.
'An amazing day and an incredible race for the team,' confirmed Brundle who, along with team-mates David Cheng and Tristan Gommendy, completed a one-two for the Jackie Chan team.
The 37 car had a strong start with Gommendy behind the wheel, having lined up on the grid in ninth place, holding onto to fifth in the early stages before falling back to be placed 10th at one third distance. But by half distance the trio of drivers had regained two positions.
'Happy hour at Le Mans. Sunshine, dry track, crisp cool air, just under eight hours to go. Junior Brundle on a charge. Perfect Father's Day,' tweeted a proud Martin Brundle as his son started climbing the race order.
Seventh at the 15-hour mark became sixth an hour later and fifth at the 17-hour mark with Brundle on a charge, while fourth was secured by the end of the 19th hour, which looked to be as far as the team would go.
However day/night races often have a sting in the tail and this time it was the 35 car which suffered with just 40 minutes left, promoting the Brundle-led car to third in the LMP2 section which post-race became second and an amazing third overall.
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