Since winning the European Le Mans Series title in 2001 with the Saleen S7-R, Ray Mallock's RML outfit has been absent from top-flight international motorsport. The first steps towards redressing that imbalance were taken last Thursday at Silverstone, when the team completed an encouraging first test of the MG-Lola EX257 AER sports prototype they will run in next month's inaugural Le Mans Endurance Series 1000 kilometers.

The car was given a thorough systems check and shakedown in less than ideal conditions by Brazilian Thomas Erdos before its owner, fellow FIA GT racer Mike Newton, completed the afternoon's running. “It's a very cold day and the tyres were doing nothing for me,” explained Erdos, “but you can feel the power when the boost comes in and the car has a lovely gearchange; very smooth. It's early days yet, of course. Despite that, it's easy to sense that it's going to be a phenomenal car.”

The initial run was curtailed briefly by a slight oil leak, but this was swiftly addressed and allowed Newton to add miles on the clock before rain and poor light stopped play. “This has just been a chance for us to carry out a systems check and familiarize ourselves, both crew and drivers, with the car and shake out any gremlins,” insisted a broadly grinning Newton. “Until today the car has only been pushed in and out of exhibition halls all year. This is its first outing in anger for almost twelve months.”