The man is a tough cookie. Never as strong as when facing adversity, Dr Colin Kolles, the man so often solicited by Bernie Ecclestone to aid Formula One teams in difficulty, intends to make his mark this season. Although his remedies were sometimes insufficient, notably failing to cure the ills afflicting Spyker, HRT and Caterham, they have produced a number of minor miracles. Today, ByKolles Racing competes in the World Endurance Championship, with ambitions that grow with every passing year. After missing out by a whisker on the FIA Endurance Trophy for Private LM P1 Teams last season, Kolles and his outfit are attacking the new campaign with a CLM P1 that has been significantly redesigned for the new campaign.

“We have made some major alterations to our car,” Kolles commented. “In fact it’s practically a new car. The problem is we have got a bit behind schedule and shan’t have the full assembly for Silverstone. However there will be enough changes made to the car for this opening round of the championship to see that the aerodynamics are totally different. We are certain we’ve made some great strides forward, but a bigger one is still to come. We know that we have made progress but we are not in a position to assess our competitors’ progress. Let’s see what happens this week.”

Although we shall have to wait until the Spa Francorchamps round to have a better idea of the sports prototype’s potential, drivers Simon Trummer, Oliver Webb and James Rossiter (Pierre Kaffer’s replacement for the first two rounds of the championship) will nonetheless be determined to secure as many points as possible at Silverstone to get their quest for the LM P1 privateers’ title off to a flying start.

“Yes, that is our aim, but my real objective is a little more ambitious than that,” Kolles pointed out. “Beating Rebellion and winning the Privateers’ trophy would be a fine reward, but I don’t just have my sights on them! What I want most of all is a good result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a place in the Top 5! I know we do not have anywhere near the budget of the works teams, but we do have solid experience, a fighting spirit that can move mountains and responsiveness that the big structures do not have. On paper, and also because of the regulations, it is impossible for us to rival the Constructors in terms of pure performance. But they are not immune to mechanical problems. That’s where our chance lies.” A chance that he will certainly not let slip should it present itself given the importance he attaches to a good result at Le Mans. “I am here because I love sports prototypes! As far as machines go, I’ve always preferred them to Formula One single-seaters. But, above all, I’m here because I love Le Mans!”

This weekend, ByKolles Racing will undoubtedly have the 24 Hours in the back of their minds as the endurance season kicks off at the famous Northamptonshire circuit that is so full of history. Colin Kolles is determined to write his own chapter.

J.M Desnoues (ACO) – Translated from French by David Goward

Photo: ByKolles Racing are brimming with determination as the 2016 World Endurance Championship curtain-raiser approaches.