EVENTFUL LE MANS RETURN FOR MARC CINI

Marc Cini returned to race at Le Mans – Photo: Supplied

Experienced Australian Porsche racer Marc Cini made the trip over to France last week to be apart of a colossal 61 car Porsche Carrera Cup field. Part of the support program for the 85th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The field was made up of Porsche’s from the Carrera Cup France, Carrera Cup Great Britain and GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux series taking to the Circuit de la Sarthe for a 45 minute race in the lead up to the Le Mans 24 Hour race.

Marc Cini had last made the trip to Le Mans in 2014 where he was joined by Stephen Grove to sample 13.6 km circuit.

Australian Porsche Carrera Cup racer, Marc Cini – Photo: Supplied

Gaining more valuable track time at the world famous circuit, Cini’s joined the GT3 Cup Challenge (Class B) field this year.

Starting 44th on a grid, Cini began his charge through the field and reached 33rd by mid-race. However he would come into contact with Irish young gun Charlie Eastwood, who dropped down the order after an earlier incident, which resulted in Cini spinning off and into the gravel trap.

Once retrieved from the gravel trap, Cini pitted to replace a damaged rim before finishing 49th outright (29th in Class B), one lap down from the ultimately race winner, Brit Dan Cammish.

Marc Cini stuck in the gravel after incident – Photo: Supplied

While his race was bittersweet, Cini was thrilled with the overall experience of his second Le Mans appearance in Carrera Cup.

“The race was going very well and I was running in 33rd and chasing the cars in front. I was then hit by a pro driver coming through the field who was involved in an earlier incident. I had a damaged wheel so I had to pit and finished around one lap down,” said Cini.

“It was a fantastic event on and off the track; it was as good as it was back when I raced at Le Mans in 2014. Having 61 Porsches on track at the same time was a thrilling experience, there was always something happening on track.

“Being able to jump into a different Carrera Cup championship with an identical race car to what I race in Australia makes life much easier. As you already know the equipment, all you have to do is learn the circuit, which makes for a far more enjoyable motor racing experience.”

Cini will continue his international racing programme when he lines up at the next Porsche Carrera Cup Australia round, to be held at Sepang International Circuit in just five weeks.

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