The following Facts & Figures outline the achievements of Thomas Erdos during his twenty-five year career as a professional racing driver. Some highlights include . . . .
- Thomas was runner-up in the LMP2 category of the Le Mans Series in 2005 and 2006, before finally taking the title for the first time in 2007, and then again in 2010.
- Thomas achieved one of his racing ambitions in 2005; standing on the top step of the podium at Le Mans, having helped guide the RML MG Lola EX264 to the first of what would be two consecutive class victories in the 24 Hours.
- In winning the 2002 British GT Championship Thomas, co-driving a Graham Nash Motorsport Saleen S7-R with Ian McKellar Jnr, recorded eight wins and three second places from 11 starts.
- In 2001 Thomas drove a privateer Lexus IS200 in the British Touring Car Championship, becoming one of the stars of the season and one of very few to challenge the title-winning Vauxhalls.
- In the 1999 British GT Championship Thomas secured five GT2 poles and took a podium finish every time the car went the distance, thereby winning the Team Trophy for NCK Motorsport.
- In pre-qualifying for the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours, Thomas set fastest time for any non-factory entrant in the GTS class, safely securing a place for the Chamberlain Motorsport Viper No.57.
- In the 1990 British Formula Renault Championship Thomas secured the title with two months to spare.
- In the 2002 British GT Championship, Thomas was awarded the Top Gun trophy for setting the greatest number of qualifying poles and fastest race laps during the season.
- In 1996 Thomas set GT3 class pole (4th overall) for Round 10 of the British GT Championship. In doing so he out-qualified the entire GT2 grid – driving a GT3 Marcos LM500.
- In 2006, Thomas was never beaten in qualifying, setting class pole for the Le Mans 24 Hours and every round of the Le Mans Series.
- Following his title win in the 1990 Formula Renault championship Thomas tested for Formula 3000. Two seconds quicker than any of his rivals, Thomas was offered an drive. Nigel Mansell hailed Thomas as “a champion for the future.” Autosport simply described him as “brilliant!”
- In 1996, driving the Marcos Racing International LM600, Thomas claimed pole, fastest lap and outright victory in every round of the BRDC Privilege Insurance GT Championship.
- In 2002 Thomas made his Daytona 24 Hours debut. Driving the Saleen for the first time he set fastest race lap in the car’s class.
- In 1995, driving the GT2 Marcos LM600 on its international debut, Thomas qualified third overall in a wet first session for the Silverstone BPR 4 Hour – among a trio of McLaren F1 GTRs.
1988
UK Formula First: 5x1st, 2 x2nd, 4x3rd, 9 poles, 10 fastest laps, 9 lap records. 2nd overall.
1989
Formula Ford 2000: 3x1st, 4x2nd, 1x3rd, 5 poles, 9 fastest laps, 6 lap records. 3rd overall.
1990
British Formula Renault: 4x1st, 3x2nd and 2x3rd. Champion. Injured in testing for F3 – no 1991.
1992
Formula Renault: wins and podiums, including Spa.
1993
Instructor for Jim Russell Racing School (to date).
1993
F3: 2 class wins.
1994
Formula Renault: 3rd Spa.
1995
Le Mans 24 Hours: with Team Marcos, (Chris Hodgetts and Cor Euser). Retired Hour 21.
BRDC GT Championship: 3 Class Wins with Team Marcos from 4 races: 3 lap records and 1 outright victory.
1996
BPR Global Endurance GT series: Marcos LM600 with Marcos Racing International. Thomas achieved: 2 GT2 poles, 4 fastest laps, 2 Class Wins. (9 races). The team achieved: 9 GT2 poles, 7 fastest laps, 3 Class Wins. (11 races). Final championship positions; individual: 3rd in class GT2, 12th overall, team: 2nd in class GT2, 8th overall.
Le Mans 24 Hours: with Marcos Racing International. (Cor Euser & Pascal Dro) Retired while leading GT2.
BRDC Privilege Insurance GT Series: Marcos LM600 GT2 with MRI: Thomas achieved: 2 GT2 poles (1 outright), 2 GT2 fastest laps, 1 outright lap record. The team achieved: 2 outright victories from just 2 races.
Marcos LM500R GT3 with NCK Racing: 2 GT3 poles, 1 GT3 lap record, one Class 2nd (2 races).
1997
BRDC Privilege Insurance GT Series: Ford Saleen Mustang GT2 with Cirtek Motorsport: Oulton Park (4); Grid 2nd GT2 (3rd o/all), 4th in GT2. Jaguar XJ220 GT1 with AJL Racing Jaguars: Silverstone (5); Grid 4th GT1, 2nd GT1; Donington Park (6); Grid 8th GT1, 4th GT1; Brands Hatch (7); Grid 5th GT1, 2nd/GT1; Croft (8) Grid 3rd in GT1, 3rd GT1; Silverstone (9): Grid 4th GT1, 3rd GT1.
FIA GT Championship: Ford Saleen Mustang GT2 with Cirtek Motorsport: Spa Francorchamps (Rnd 5); Retired. Marcos LM600 GT2 with MRI: Donington (8): Grid Position: 5th in GT2. Retired due to fire.
Le Mans 24 Hours: with Lister Storm GT1, (Julian Bailey & Mark Skaife). Retired (transmission)
1998
BRDC Privilege Insurance GT Series: TVR Cerbera GT2 with Colin Blower: Oulton Park (2); Snetterton (4) Grid 3rd GT2. Porsche 911 GT2 with Gerard MacQuillan: Silverstone (5); Fastest in GT2 official practice. Marcos LM600 GT2 with NCK Racing: Donington (Rnd 6); Grid 3rd in GT2; Silverstone (7) Grid 2nd in GT2, 3rd GT2; Spa (8): Grid 2nd in GT2, Class Win; Silverstone (9): Pole & 2nd GT2.
1999
BRDC Privilege Insurance British GT Championship: Marcos LM600 GT2 with NCK: Silverstone (1): GT2 Pole & 3rd; Oulton Park (2): 2nd GT2 Grid, 3rd; Snetterton (3): GT2 Pole, DNF; Brands Hatch (4): 3rd in GT2, 2nd; Silverstone (5): 3rd GT2 grid, 3rd; Donington (6): 2nd GT2 Grid, DNF; Donington (7): no grid, 3rd in GT2; Silverstone (8): GT2 Pole, DNF; Croft (9) 2nd GT2, DNF; Spa (10): GT2 Pole, DNF; Silverstone (11): GT2 Pole, 2nd and Lap Record. Total: 5 GT2 Pole & 2x2nd; 2nd/3rd all finishes. Thomas’s qualifying performances gave NCK the BRDC PI Team Trophy for 1999.
Le Mans 24 Hours: with Chamberlain Motorsport, Chrysler Viper GTS-R. (Christian Vann & Christian Glasel). Fastest non-factory pre-qualifier in GTS. Finished 22nd (9th GTS) after loss of 4 hours with mechanical problems.
2000
BRDC Privilege Insurance British GT Championship: Marcos LM600 GT2 with NCK Racing: Thruxton (1): 3rd Grid, DNS; Croft (2): DNF; Oulton Park (3): Pole, DNF; Donington (4): 7th Grid, DNF: Silverstone (5): Grid 2nd, 6th; Brands Hatch (6) Grid 2nd, 6th; Donington (7) Grid 3rd, DNF; Croft (8) Grid Pole, DNF; Silverstone (9)Grid 4th, 4th; Snetterton (10) Grid 3rd, DNF; Spa (11) Grid 4th, DNF, Silverstone (12) Grid 4th, 8th.
American Le Mans Series: Chamberlain Motorsport Chrysler Viper GTS-R. Nurburgring (5): 3rd Grid, 2nd at finish
2001
British Touring Car Championship: Lexus IS200 with ABG Motorsport / Total Motorsport Racing. Knockhill 13 Grid T5, finish T4, 14 Grid T5, DNF; Snetterton 15 Grid T7, finish T4, 16 Grid T5, finish T5; Croft 17 Grid T5, finish T4, 18 Grid T5, finish T4; Oulton Park 19 Grid T8, finish T7, 20 Grid T8, finish T6; Silverstone 21 Grid T7, finish T7, 22 Grid T7, finish T6; Donington Park 23 Grid T10, finish T8, 24 Grid T10, finish T4. Total 72 points from 11/26 races – Seventh
2002
Rolex Daytona 24 Hours: Saleen S7-R with Graham Nash Motorsport (GNM) co-driving with Ian McKellar Jnr, Ron Johnson and Bobby Verdon-Roe. Qualified 26th o/a, fifth in GTS (1:51.887 set by McKellar). 2nd fastest race lap (1:51.477) set by Erdos. Retired on 420 laps.
American Le Mans Series: Saleen S7-R with GNM co-driving with Ian McKellar Jnr and Ron Johnson. 12 Hours of Sebring. Qualified sixth in class (Fastest time by any Saleen set by Erdos with 70 kg weight penalty and 15% restrictor reduction.) Retired .
BRDC British GT Championship: Champion. GNM Saleen S7-R, co-driving with Ian McKellar Jnr. Brands Hatch (1): Pole (IM), Win. Donington Park (2) Pole (TE), DNF, Lap Record (TE). Silverstone (3) Pole (TE), Win. Knockhill (4) 2nd Q (IM), Win, Lap record (TE). Croft (5) Pole (TE), Win. Silverstone (6) 3rd Q (IM), Win. Castle Combe (7) 4th Q, Second. Rockingham (8) Pole (TE) Win. Oulton Park (9) 2nd Q (IM), Win. Snetterton (10) 2nd Q (TE), Second. Thruxton (11) 2nd Q (TE), Win. Donington Park (12) Pole (TE) Second. (All victories outright). Series Champion & Top Gun Trophy.
2003
FIA GT Championship: Saleen S7-R GT with Graham Nash Motorsport co-driving with Mike Newton. Q=Qualifying, R=Race. Barcelona Q5, R15 (GT 9). Magny Cours Q12, R23 (NCF). Brno Q7, R7 (Exc). Donington Q5, R4. Spa (24 Hours also with Pedro Chaves and Miguel Ramos) Q8, R17 (GT 5). Anderstorp Q2, R21 (GT 10th). Oschersleben Q3, R4. Estoril Q7, R7. Monza Q6, R17 (GT 10).
Le Mans 24 Hours: With GNM co-driving with Mike Newton and Pedro Chaves: Qualified 6th in GTS with a time of 4:01.163. (Fastest Saleen) Retired after 23 hours. Non classified on 292 laps, 23rd overall, 6th in Class.
BRDC British GT Championship: Mosler MT900 with Balfe Motorsport (co-drivers Shaun Balfe & Jamie Derbyshire). Spa 1000K. Qualified 2nd (Class pole), Race 2nd.
LMES Le Mans 1000 kilometers: MG Lola EX257 with RML, co-driving with Chris Goodwin and Mike Newton. Qualified 4th (Class pole), Race DNF
Bathurst 24 Hours: Porsche 911 GT3-RS with GNM co-driving with Mike Newton, Rod Wilson and Manfred Juaraz. Qualified 7th, Race NQ
2004
FIA GT Championship: Saleen S7-R with RML and Mike Newton. Monza Q6, R12 (GT 9). Valencia Q6, R6. Magny Cours Q9, DNF. Hockenheim Q8, DNF. Brno Q8, R15 (GT 11).
Rolex Daytona 24 Hours: Michael Shanks Racing Doran JE4-Lexus co-driving with Mike Newton, Cort Wagner & Brent Martini. Qualified 7th. Finished 4th in DP,7th o/a, 509 laps.
Le Mans Endurance Series: RML MG Lola EX257, co-driving with Mike Newton. Monza Q12, R7th. Best-ever result for EX257.
Le Mans 24 Hours: MG Lola EX265 with RML co-driving with Mike Newton and Nathan Kinch: Qual.13th in LMP1 with a time of 3:42.298. Retired after 20 hours. Non classified on 256 laps, 30th overall, 11th in Class. Best lap 3:41.383.
2005
Rolex Daytona 24 Hours: Doran BMW with Rx.com/Synergy racing, co-driving with Mike Newton, Burt Frisselle and Brian Frisselle. Qualified 20th (Burt Frisselle), retired after 523 laps.
Le Mans Endurance Series – Series Runners-up: MG Lola EX264 with RML, co-driving with Mike Newton. Spa, Qual.LMP2 pole (TE), 9th o/all, Finished 4th in LMP2; Monza, Qual.5th in LMP2, 12th o/all, Finished 3rd in LMP2, 11th o/all; Silverstone, Qual.LMP2 pole (TE), 7th o/all, Finished 3rd in LMP2, 10th o/all; Nurburgring, Qual.LMP2 pole (TE), 5th o/all, Finished 3rd in LMP2. Istanbul, Qual.2nd in LMP2 (TE, 8th o/all), Finished 1st LMP2, 6th o/all. Missed title by 1 point.
Le Mans 24 Hours – LMP2 Winners: With RML co-driving MG Lola EX264 with Mike Newton and Warren Hughes: Qualified 3rd in LMP2 with a time of 3:46.205 (TE). Finished 1st in LMP2, Class Winner, 20th overall, 305 laps. Fastest in class.
Spa 24 Hours: With Graham Nash Motorsport and RML, co-driving Saleen S7-R with Mike Newton, Phil Bennett and Michael Mallock: Qualified 10th in GT1 and 10th o/all. Finished 9th in GT1, 11th overall on 529 laps.
2006
Rolex Daytona 24 Hours: Crawford Lexus with Eddie Cheever Racing, co-driving with Mike Newton, Warren Hughes and Stefan Johansson. Qualified 19th (Johansson), Finished 22nd (11th in class) on 645 laps. Fastest race lap, 1:47.764, Erdos.
Le Mans Series – Championship runners-up: RML MG Lola EX264, co-driving with Mike Newton. Thomas Erdos claimed class pole in all five rounds. Istanbul, Finished 6th LMP2, 26th O/all; Spa Finished 2nd LMP2, 5th O/all; Nurburgring Finished 4th LMP2, 9th O/all; Donington Park Finished 1st LMP2, 4th O/all; Finished 6th LMP2, 26th O/all.
Le Mans 24 Hours – LMP2 Winners: With RML co-driving MG Lola EX264 with Mike Newton and Andy Wallace: Qualified Pole in LMP2 with a time of 3:41.555 (Erdos). Finished 1st in LMP2, Class Winner, 8th overall, 343 laps.
2007
Rolex Daytona 24 Hours: Crawford Porsche with Eddie Cheever Racing, co-driving with Mike Newton, Eddie Cheever and Harrison Brix. Qualified 19th (Cheever), Retired – 32nd overall (18th in class) after 579 laps.
Le Mans Series – LMP2 Champion: RML MG Lola EX264, co-driving with Mike Newton. Monza: Qualified 3rd in class; finished 2nd in LMP2,8th O/all. Fastest race lap in LMP2: 1:42.268, Erdos. Valencia: Qualified 2nd in class; finished 6th in LMP2, 16th O/all. Fastest race lap in LMP2: 1:28.406, Erdos. Nurburgring: Qualified on Class Pole; finished 1st LMP2, 6th O/all. Fastest race lap in LMP2: 1:49.031, Erdos. Spa-Francorchamps: Qualified on Class Pole; finished 1st LMP2, 3rd O/all. 2nd fastest race lap in LMP2: 2:10.881. Silverstone: Qualified 2nd in LMP2; finished 4th in LMP2,3rd O/all. 3rd fastest race lap in LMP2: 1:40.653.
Le Mans 24 Hours: With RML co-driving MG Lola EX264 with Mike Newton and Andy Wallace: Qualified 6th in LMP2 with a time of 3:49.217 (AW). Retired 09:53, Sunday 17th June, after 251 laps. Best lap (Thomas Erdos) 3:45.773
2008
Rolex Daytona 24 Hours: Coyote Pontiac with Eddie Cheever Racing, co-driving with Mike Newton, Tom Kimber-Smith, Scott Mayer and Brent Sherman. Qualified 22nd (Erdos), Retired after just 45 laps.
Le Mans Series: RML MG Lola EX265, co-driving with Mike Newton. Round 1, Barcelona: Q 9th in class; finished 4th in LMP2, 11th O/all. Round 2, Monza: Q 6th in class; finished 4th in LMP2, 11th O/all. Round 3, Spa: Q 5th in class; finished 6th in LMP2. Round 4, Nurburgring: Q 9th in class; finished 6th in LMP2,13th O/all. Round 5, Silverstone: Qualified 10th in LMP2; finished 4th in LMP2,13th O/all.
Le Mans 24 Hours: RML MG Lola EX265. Co-driving with Mike Newton and Andy Wallace: Qualified 6th in LMP2 with a time of 3:40.027 (Erdos). Retired 01:58, Sunday 15th June, after 100 laps.
Best lap (Erdos) 3:43.082
2009
Le Mans Series: RML Lola Mazda B08/86. Co-driving with Mike Newton. Round 1, Barcelona: Q 5th in class; DNF. Round 2, Spa: No time in qualifying; DNF. Round 3, Algarve: Q 2nd in class (1:34.728); DNF. Round 4, Nurburgring: Q 5th in class; DNF. Round 5, Silverstone: Q 3rd in LMP2; finished 2nd in LMP2, 10th O/all.
Le Mans 24 Hours: RML Lola Mazda B08/86. Co-driving with Mike Newton and Chris Dyson: Qualified 4th in LMP2 with a time of 3:41.952 (Erdos). Retired 10:45 Sunday 14th June, after 273 laps.
Best lap (Erdos) 3:44.816.
2010
Le Mans Series – LMP2 Champion: RML Lola B08/80 HPD. Co-driving with Mike Newton, and partnered by Andy Wallace (3 races) and Ben Collins (3 races). Round 1, Paul Ricard 8 Hours: Q 4th in class; finished 3rd. Round 2, Spa: Q 2nd in class; finished 2nd in class. Round 3, Algarve: Q 3rd in class finished 1st in class. Round 4, Hungaroring: Q 5th in class; finished 4th in class, 4th overall. Round 5, Silverstone: Q 4th in class; finished 4th in class.
Le Mans 24 Hours – LMP2 3rd: RML Lola B08/80 HPD. Co-driving with Mike Newton, and Andy Wallace. Qualified 3rd in LMP2 with a time of 3:39.649 (Erdos). Finished 3rd in LMP2, 8th overall, after 358 laps.
Best lap (Thomas Erdos) 3:37.921.
2011
Le Mans Series: RML Honda Performance Development ARX-01d LMP2. Co-driving with Mike Newton and Ben Collins. Round 1, Paul Ricard. Finished 7th in class. Round 2, Spa. Withdrawn after accident (MN) in practice. Round 3, Imola. 11th (blown turbo). Round 4, Silverstone. 4th Round 5. Estoril, Withdrawn – sponsor’s decision.
Le Mans 24 Hours – LMP2 4th: RML Honda Performance Development ARX-01d LMP2. Co-driving with Mike Newton and Ben Collins. Qualified 8th in LMP2 with a time of 3:47.308 (Erdos). Finished 4th in LMP2, 12th overall, after 314 laps.