Ginetta Champion in Le Mans Panoz

2006 Senior Ginetta Champion Stewart Linn received part of his prize yesterday at Pembrey: a drive in the 2006 24h Le Mans winning Panoz Esperante GTLM car worth in excess of £10 000.

Stewart Linn having just emerged from the Panoz

Linn joined Team LNT at the Welsh circuit in perfect weather conditions for his test in the American-built V8. Guided by tuition from driver Tom Kimber-Smith and data analysis with LNT engineer Lee Penn in between sessions, Linn proved impressive in his first time driving a left hand drive, sequential gearbox car.

“It’s been a fantastic experience. I really enjoyed that” said Linn. “The power is absolutely amazing. The torque and acceleration is unbelievable – hitting the accelerator and being thrust back into the seat – I love that feeling.

“Once I got into the way of things I felt quite at home in the car. The first few laps out there I was just trying to feel around the car rather than the track. The main problem I had was it being a left hand drive car with a sequential gearbox but once I’d got used to those two things I felt quite at home.

“I was surprised how similar the handling characteristics are [to a Ginetta] and I could carry over my Ginetta skills into the Panoz. In terms of driving a rear wheel drive car such as the Ginetta and learning how to push that and at what point the limit is, is obviously very different to the Panoz with the extra power and grip.

“I wasn’t sure what I was going to get when I got here and what to expect, but as soon as I went out on the track I had a big grin on my face and the fight for the championship made it all worthwhile.”

Linn also took the Ginetta Championship title in 2004. Following his second championship crown and his Panoz test, the Leeds resident is considering furthering his Sportscar career.

“I’d love to go into sportscars myself  but it’s all about the money. But I’ve got the taste for it and will try even harder after today to make the next step!”

To find out how you could be on the grid for next year’s Ginetta championship click here

Pictures of the day are here