It's only been a few weeks since the dust settled at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans but already it’s now nothing but a distant memory and the media hype as turned to the next up and coming race events across Europe and the US

After 40 years of motorsport the Seikel Motorsport team chose Le mans to say Auf wiedersehen to motorsport and it’s fans across the globe, The 24 Hour race could not have been a more fitting backdrop to end such a successful motorsport carrier and I had the privilege to spend the last ever race of Seikel motorsport with them for this years 24 Hour race.

I have been around many race teams over the past few years but this year with seikel motorsport something was defiantly different, most of the team had been together for many years..... an achievement in itself, and the almost military style coordination I have witnessed with most teams was replaced with a more laid back attitude With the Seikel team.

Meeting Mr Seikel was a Horner for me; this was a man that had achieved so much in motorsport and to be here spending his last ever race was a memory that I will never forget. After keeping out of the way during Thursday practice and the busy day of pre-race preparation on the Friday I finally got the chance to meet and chat with Peter on the Saturday morning before the race.

He made us feel at home straight away first by presenting us with the appropriate team wear and offering the teams hospitality area in the paddock, and I must state that the food was the best I had ever tasted in France and I feel kind of guilty for not getting the chance to say thank you to the German chief.

So everything was set the car was ready, the team was ready we had our note books and cameras at the ready , all that waited was the start of the race it's self.






The number 71 car was placed 51st on the starting grid out of a total of 53 cars for this years race. The cars set off in one of the wettest starts for many years and we crossed our fingers for the next up and coming 24 hours.

One hour and five minutes into the race the car rolled in for it's first pit stop under a hail of rain and for some reason was sent back out on slicks. After a few hours had past the car was running well but was in last place, I don't think the overall result really mattered here it was all about finishing and saying goodbye.

7.55pm Driver P Collins (USA) was ready to take control from H Felbermayer Jnr..son of the third driver H Felebermayer (AUT) the car came in for a routine pit stop and left the pit lane with new tyres on and a double stint for Felebermayer. It was not long after and at 8.30om the car came back in with major engine problems, " all the waring light came on and the car lost power..it was only running on three cylinders" stated Felbermayer.







The car came into the garage and the team started to taking off the rear body work in order to get to the engine. It was not long before the Stuttgart Porsche mechanic where on the scene and the team started to strip down parts from the qualifying engine to try and solve the problem.



The time was now 9.30pm and things where starting to look desperate the Porsche technicians where still working on the car and the team where still working hard to remove the ignition coils from the qualifying engine.

At 10.55pm the coil was removed and fitted to the race engine..the engine still did not sound right and I am no mechanic, the team started to remove more and more parts from the qualifying engine in a last bid attempt to solve the problem.




at 12.00 O Clock the Qualifying engine had been robbed of all the parts that could be removed and the race engine still was that running the way she should...it was time to throw in the towel.

This was such a sad ending the the teams last ever race and I felt so sorry and down hearted for all of them, The car was unable to finish the race and it was time to close the shutter door for the very last time.

marking the end of Seikel's racing career

 

Porschesport would like to thank Peter and all the team for all they have given to the Motorsport World and wish you all the best for the future.

(Above) Car on the grid before the race start

(Above) Driver Phillip Collin and crew look on during practice at the 2007 Le Mans race. (Below) Team member sits and waits for first pit stop.

(Above) P Collin looks on while the team try and fix the car during the race.

(Above) Driver Horst Felbermayer Jnr talks to the Tyre technician from Advan.


(Above) Car sits in the garage pre race








What next for Peter and the team

Peter will dedicate his time to his business Seikel 4 x 4 Technic.

You can learn more about 4 x 4 Technic and all the history and results from the the team by clicking on th link below.