Peugeot victory

Diesel Peugeot takes sportscar title

Peugeot has become the first car maker to win a major international championship using diesel power.

Auto Express Car Reviews

19th September 2007

Victory in Silverstone’s 1,000km British Empire Trophy sportscar race made it five wins from five starts for the French team. The victorious 908 HDi FAP prototype – shared by Frenchman Nicolas Minassian and Ferrari’s Spanish test driver Marc Gene – covered the distance in just under six hours.

The duo were two laps clear of the petrol-powered Pesca-rolo, driven by reigning champions Emmanuel Collard and Jean-Christophe Boullion.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Peugeot, though. The second of the two 908 coupés retired with only 15 minutes remaining while on target for a podium finish – a result that would have handed its two drivers – Pedro Lamy and Stephane Sarrazin – the LMS driver’s title. Gene said: “It was a great result for us, but a bitter moment for our team-mates. Falling out with 15 minutes left is even worse than when we went out of the Le Mans 24 Hours (where Gene’s car had engine failure with two hours to go). I guess that is why this racing is so exciting, because anything can happen.”

The finale at Interlagos, Brazil, during early November will be a nail-biter with both Peugeot pairs – as well as Boullion and Collard – still in the hunt for the championship.