Bernd was out to defend the title he so masterfully won a year ago. But the competition would not have stood still. Everything bode well for an exiting day of racing.

The format was the same last year - 4 separate stages, the winner being the driver who completed the most laps in total. Each driver raced one stage in each of the 4 lanes, with the cars (identical 1968 Ford GT40 MKII s) remaining in the same lane throughout - thus necessitating that each driver raced in each of the lanes and with each of the cars. This would ensure that no driver would gain an advantage from the hardware - or so it seemed!!!

Race Report: Bietigheim, 17.5.2004

Half an hour before the start, the drivers (Bernd, Andy, Michael and Markus) were completing the last warm-up laps in the brand new Ford GT 40s. The track seemed to be somewhat uneven in places - probably due to structural subsidence in the underlying framework. The GT-40 LM 1968 - Nr. 9 (Blue) in lane 1, in particular, seemed to handle very uncertainly in corner 4. Otherwise, all was set for a great day of racing.

Stage I................As last year (when Andy's mini came to a halt on the first lap and lost 15 laps before it was once again underway), the race provided dramatic scenes from the start. This time it was the hot favorite and defending champion Bernd that was to experience the trauma. In Lane 1 with the Blue Nr. 9 GT-40, the handling problems experiences in warm up were exagerated and all but put an end to Bernds race from the start. Bearly a lap went by without Bernd leaving the circuit in either curve 2 or 4. In fact it was to get even worse as the Nr. 9 lost it's front nearside wheel comming out of the short curve at the end of the main straight. The safety car was sent out and the race held up while repairs were made, but no sooner had the race restarted, the wheel once again became dislogded. This was to happen a final time before the end of this traumatic first stage, which finally saw Bernd completed only 35 laps, a whole 24 laps behind the emphatic winner (Andy in lane 2 in the Nr. 3 MKII LM 1966). Markus came home second with a very respectable 56 laps and Michael was third, with 53 laps in the Nr. 68 LM 1969.

Stage II................. Although the race seemed all but over for Bernd, much would depend on how the other drivers handled the Nr. 9 LM 1968 in lane 1. If they were to experience similar problems to Bernd (which could not be ruled out) all may not yet be lost. Markus had the honour of lane 1 in stage II and chose a cautious approach. Driving steadily and within the limits of the car and track, he completed 58 laps. Although this was last in stage II, it was 23 laps more than Bernd had achieved and seemd vindication of the defensive approach. Andy drove once again to a convincing stage victory with 79 laps in lane 3 (Nr. 68 LM 1969), followed closely by Bernd (75 laps in lane 2, Nr. 3 LM 1966) and Michael (63 laps Nr. 8 LM 1966 in lane 4).

Standing after stage II:

1. Andy 138 laps 2. MiIchael 116 laps, 3. Markus 114 laps, 4. Bernd 110 laps.

Although Andy still had the infamous Nr. 9 in lane 1 to come, a 22 lap lead at the half way stage was a very comfortably lead that that would take some closing. It seemed that only a disaster could prevent a convincing victory.

Stage III.............A stage without major sensation, but plagued with minor spins and crashes. Bernd won with 65 laps in the Nr. 68 LM 1969 in lane 3, closely followed by Markus 64 (Nr. 3 LM 1966) and Michael, who completed an astonishing 62 laps in the Nr. 9 LM 1968 in lane 1, with no trace of the difficulties encountered by Bernd in stage I. Very suprisingly, Andy came in a distant 4th with only 56 completed laps in the Nr. 8 LM1966. It seemed that the nerves were being to frey - so close, but yet so far!!

Standings after stage III: Andy 194, Michael & Markus, both 178, Bernd 175.

Andy's 22 lap lead was now only 16 and the last stage was in Lane 1 in the Nr. 9 LM 1968. If Andy was to encounter anything like the problems faced by Bernd in stage I, defeat could still be snatched from the jaws of victory (in true English style).

Stage IV..............Dispite the dreadful start in stage I, Bernd could now see a chance to make a successful defence of his title - only 3 laps behind Michael and Markus. Andy was 19 laps ahead, but had already started to show signs of nerves and was in the dreaded lane 1. Bernd gave it everything he had from the start - in an alll or nothing attempt at glory that, as it turned out, was destined to fail. In fact, this aggressive approach condemned Bernd to a very disappointing 59 laps, 5 laps behind Michael (64 Laps lane 2). Andy (65 laps), who mastered lane 1 in the true style of a Champion, came in 2nd, while the stage was emphatically won by Markus in lane 3 with the Nr. 68 LM1969, with 70 completed laps.

Final Standings...................

1. Andy - 259 Laps

2. Markus - 248 Laps

3. Michael - 242 Laps

4. Bernd - 234 Laps

What a differnce a Year makes!!!!!!! unless your name is Michael - once again 3rd place and once again loosing out in the final stage.

Markus overcame the trauma of finishing last and off the podium last year, to complete a resounding 2nd place, only 11 laps behind the emphatic winner and home circuit favourite, Andy. Bernd gave it his all, but the nightmare of stage I was too much a handicap, even for a racing genius.

As they say, races are won and lost in the pit lane!!!!!

So until next year !!!!!!

PS. Birthday time is approaching once more. Time to reflect on another year gone by, another glorious failure by the England footballers and..................another Birthday wish list!!! Attached is the <€5.000 section (unfortuneately not as large as the >€5.000 list, but never mind).

- Sweatbands (those things you put on your wrists to wipe you forehead with)

- Ritzenhoff Beer Glasses: Weißen, Halbe etc.

- Grappa

Contact:

E-mail andrew@renshaw.de or renshawa@aol.com or Jutta@renshaw.de

Tel. +49 7142 45635 Mobile. +49 174 202 5264 Fax. +49 7142 41627

Address:- Emil-Klumpp-Str. 17, 74321 Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany.