Change of team manager for Strakka Racing.

Team Manager Strakka since late 2008, Piers Phillips left the British team last week and was replaced by Dan Walmsley, who until now has been chief engineer and technical manager. A graduate of Oxford Brookes University, he joined Strakka in March 2009 and became Chief Engineer later the same year.

The team, who carried the British flag on their 'shark fin' at the 24 Hours of Le Mans had five LMP2 class victories in the Le Mans Series in 2010 and 2011, which allowed them to finish the series in second place. This year Strakka has made an assault on the FIA World Endurance Championship​​, but this time in the LMP1 class, still with Honda / HPD (Honda Performance Development).

Strakka currently occupies third place in the FIA Trophy for best private team inLMP1 after three rounds. Unlucky in the 80th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours, the HPD-Honda No.21 started from pit lane after a leak was detected and subsequently climbed up the field during the night, then Danny Watts' fight back was halted on Sunday morning by problems with water pressure. Although delayed, the team completed more than 70% of the distance of the winning car, and crossed the finish line for a classified finish, and thereby secured points for being the fourth of FIA/WEC private team competitors in LMP1, an important result as Le Mans counts double.

Dave Davies

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012, FREE PRACTICE.