Bell, Stuck start well

Press, 22 April 1986, Page 23

Bell, Stuck start well

NZPA ReuterMonza, Italy The reigning champions, Derek Bell, of Britain, and Hans Stuck, of West Germany, drove to victory yesterday in the opening round of the World Endurance championship motor race. With the car fast running out of fuel, the finish line came just in time. Their Porsche took the chequered flag 50s ahead of the Lancia of the Italians, Andrea de Cesaris and Sandro Nannini, after 63 hard-fought laps. Bell said: “We were using the electronic change automatic gearbox for the first time in anger and two laps before the end the fuel reserve light came on and I had to keep my fingers crossed.” Fuel played a large role in the outcome of the race. The Jaguar of Jean-

Louis Schlesser of France and Italian Gianfranco Brancatelli lost a certain third place when it ran dry on the final lap, as did several others of the 27 starters. The Porsche of the 1985 Le Mans 24 hours winners, Klaus Ludwig of West Germany, and Italian, Paolo Barilla led for the first half of the race, until gearbox problems forced retirement. Bell and Stuck had been second until then, although harried by the Jaguar of Derek Warwick of Britain and the American, Eddie Cheever, until it broke a driveshaft. Results: Derek Bell (Britain)/Hans Stuck (West Germany) Porsche ihr 48 min 40.29 s 1; Andrea de Cesaris/Sandro Nannini (Italy) Lancia 1:49:29.39 2;. Massimo Sigala (Italy)/Walter Brun (West Germany) Porsche (2 laps behind). 3.