Thomas Erdos took the all-new RML MG Lola EX264 sports prototype to pole position in the opening round of the 2005 LMES championship at Spa in Belgium (April 17th). The Brazilian had been one of the quickest drivers on track throughout the three-day “1000 kilometer” meeting, and was delighted to clinch class pole in Saturday’s qualifying.

Sunday’s race, however, was very nearly cancelled due to appalling weather conditions. A thick blanket of fog had reduced visibility all across the fabulous Spa-Francorchamps circuit to just 50 yards. Despite this the six-hour race set off as planned, at mid-day local time. As one of the few drivers to opt for ‘intermediate’ tyres from the very start, Erdos was initially at a disadvantage, and lost his lead to one of the Belmondo team’s Courage C65 prototypes, fitted with full ‘wets’. Within a few laps, however, a dryer line began to emerge, generating sufficient warmth in the car’s tyres to improve its handling dramatically, and Erdos was able to sweep through into the lead of LMP2 once more.

Nearing the end of the first hour the Brazilian had moved further up the timing screens, to be lying sixth overall, and leading his class by almost 30 seconds. A stop for fuel dropped him back to tenth overall, but he rapidly regained his class lead as the other competitors also came in for scheduled pitstops.