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Le Mans Cup title advantage extended at Spa-Francorchamps
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Traditionally, Spa-Francorchamps has been kind to Nielsen Racing, but this weekend at the Belgian venue, it was a tougher weekend than many of late, with both cars effectively eliminated from Sunday’s European Le Mans round at the start. There were however positives to be taken in the Michelin Le Mans Cup race, where a hard-fought fifth from Tony Wells and Colin Noble could well be pivotal in the championship race.
With just one round remaining, the focus remains very much on the Le Mans Cup title which the #7 pairing of Tony and Colin led by nine points following the Le Mans victory. This weekend at Spa, their fifth position yielded a healthy ten points, while title rivals Alexander Mattschull and Nicolas Varrone finished three seconds behind. This therefore extends the title advantage to 11 points heading to the Portuguese season finale.
For the #20 Grainmarket entry, the Le Mans Cup race was progressing relatively smoothly with Mark Crader completing his stint before handing over to Alex Mortimer. The latter however was soon out of the race after contact at Raidillon. The duo will be seeking a smoother weekend at Portimao to conclude the season.
Sunday’s ELMS race was trouble from the off, with the #34 Racing team Turkey entry locking up into La Source and triggering a multi-car incident. The subsequent contact saw Tony returning to the pits for repairs to the #7 Ligier, costing him any chance of a decent result. The sister #6 entry of Nick Adcock meanwhile made it halfway around the opening lap before being pushed into the gravel at Campus by the #66 Ferrari. The #6 and #7 eventually recovered to finish ninth and tenth respectively.
The team now prepare for the demands of Portimao, where the aim is clear: to be crowned Michelin Le Mans Cup champions.
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Click on the images to download full size
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ABOUT EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIES
British, Asian LMP3 Champions and 2019 Team of the Year, Northamptonshire-based Nielsen Racing returns to the European Le Mans Series for its fourth season. The ELMS, inspired by the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is considered the pinnacle of LMP3 championships around the world and features six rounds at Europe’s finest and most challenging circuits.
ABOUT THE MICHELIN LE MANS CUP
The Michelin Le Mans Cup takes place over six rounds. Five of the events will be a 2-hour race on the same weekends as the European Le Mans Series, with a special event "Road To Le Mans" in the curtain raiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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ABOUT THE 4 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS
Round 5 of the 2021 European Le Mans Series will take place in Belgium, with the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps at the world-famous circuit in the Ardennes. The grid will consist of 39 cars run by 28 different teams, with 117 drivers taking part representing a total of 27 different nations from all four corners of the world.
 Spa-Francorchamps - Belgium
- Circuit · 20 turns
- 7.003 km / 4.352 mi
- 2020 pole: 2:12.634
More information
 Attendance information
Covid safe ticketing
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No. 6 | Ligier JS P320
Nicholas Adcock {GBR] | B
Austin McCusker [USA] | S
Max Koebolt [NLD] | S
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No. 7 | Ligier JS P320
Tony Wells [GBR] | B
Colin Noble [GBR] | S
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No. 7 | Ligier JS P320
Tony Wells [GBR] | B
Colin Noble [GBR] | S
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No. 20 | Duqueine D08 LMP3
Mark Crader [GBR] | B
Alex Mortimer [GBR] | S
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ELMS historic result
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2020 season
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Car
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Pos.
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#7
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Wells/Noble
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Duqueine M30
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2nd
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#10
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Hodes/Grist
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Duqueine M30
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DNF
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Nielsen's 2021 racing calendar
13/2
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4H Dubai I
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R1
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AsLMS
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14/2
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4H Dubai II
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R2
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AsLMS
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19/2
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4H Abu Dhabi I
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R3
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AsLMS
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20/2
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4H Abu Dhabi II
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R4
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AsLMS
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12/4
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Barcelona official test
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17/4
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Barcelona Round
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R1
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LMC
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18/4
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4H Barcelona
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R1
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ELMS
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16/5
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4H Red Bull Ring
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R2
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ELMS
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5/6
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Le Castellet Round
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R2
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LMC
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6/6
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4H Le Castellet
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R3
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ELMS
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10/7
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Monza Round
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R3
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LMC
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11/7
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4H Monza
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R4
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ELMS
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21/8
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Road to Le Mans
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R4
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LMC
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18/9
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Spa Round
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R5
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LMC
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19/9
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4H Spa-Francorchamps
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R5
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ELMS
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23/10
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Portimão Round
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R6
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ELMS
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24/10
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4H Portimão
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R6
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ELMS
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