Thomas Erdos and the RML AD Group MG Lola topped the LMP2 times in qualifying for Round Four of the 2007 Le Mans Series at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, making it two pole positions in succession for the UK-based Brazilian.

The team had remained quietly confident of their chances, even after two days of free practice had suggested that their closest rivals might have found a performance edge since the Nurburgring race six weeks previously. Always posting rapid times, Erdos had nevertheless been content to end each practice session second, or even fourth in class. "Our individual sector times always suggested that, if we could string them all together in a clean lap, we’d be well placed for a front row start." On Saturday afternoon he did exactly that.

His challenge came very early in the twenty-minute prototype-only qualifying period. His very first flyer was a 2:06.795, and that alone would have been sufficient to secure pole, but he followed that with an even quicker 2:06.660 on his next lap, and thereby set a standard that nobody else could match. Michael Vergers in the Barazi Epsilon Zytek made a determined attempt, but still ended the day almost half a second shy of the MG, with former RML driver Warren Hughes third in the Embassy Radical.

"That was another stunning lap from Tommy," smiled a hugely satisfied Phil Barker, Team Manager at RML. "Once again, he’s done a really great job. We felt sure we had a good, well-balanced car, and it was just a case of getting out there and making the most of the lack of traffic."

Thomas Erdos was "delighted for the team. We didn’t sit back, and ever since the start of this year we’ve been reacting to the increased pace of the competition. We’ve maintained an excellent relationship with Lola and AER, and in partnership with our own development programme, all the hard graft is now paying off. To achieve pole at Spa, against such very tough opposition, is very satisfying."

Mike Newton, not only Tommy’s co-driver, but also CEO of AD Group, principal sponsor of the RML sportscar programme, could not have been happier. "At the beginning of this season, the thought that we might achieve pole here at Spa looked very unlikely. We’re facing other teams with newer chassis than ours, and employing some very professional drivers, but we’ve restored the pace in the MG, and we’re in a very strong position."

"We have an excellent set-up now, come rain or shine" added Mike Newton. "Now we’re just looking forward to the race." That begins at 12:30 on Sunday, local time, and will run for six hours or 1000 kilometres (143 laps), whichever is achieved first.

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