McNish tips Hoy to finish LM24posted in LEMANS18 | 06 | 2016

THREE-TIMES LE MANS 24-Hours winner Allan McNish believes race debutant, fellow Scot Sir Chris Hoy, has already achieved his primary goal, by being on the grid for today’s race start.

The six-time Olympic gold medallist will realise a life’s dream when he fires up his Nissan-powered Algarve Pro Racing Ligier LMP2 sportscar to start the world’s most iconic, gruelling 24-hours race.

And McNish — who won round the famous 8.45-mile circuit once with Porsche, and twice with Audi — is full of admiration for Hoy.

“I remember when Chris said a couple of years ago that he planned to race at Le Mans,” the 46-year-old from Dumfries said, “and to be honest, I thought it was a bit fanciful at the time. I thought it was possible, but I didn’t necessarily think he would achieve it.

“But since committing to the programme, he’s delivered the same level of focus and determination he demonstrated when he was pedalling to Olympic gold.

“In many people’s eyes he’s already achieved his primary goal; he’s racing at Le Mans.

“I think he’s in a fantastic position, to be able to go in to the biggest race in sportscar racing, one of the biggest races in the world, having already achieved his primary goal. Because he can go into it and enjoy it; everything else is a bonus.

“Personally I never came into this race in that position: everything was about winning.”

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And McNish, who started 14 Le Mans races and remains a strong influence behind the scenes at Audi, is fully aware of the challenges facing Hoy who — remember — won last year’s European Le Mans Series LMP3 Championship.

“He’s probably one of the least experienced racing drivers in the LMP2 class,” McNish continued. “However, he has fantastic experience of competing at the highest level of sport; has a very good experience of life, and has a smell of the big picture. Those attributes will stand him in very good stead.

“Where could the team get to? Remember, there is a team, a car, and two other drivers in addition to Chris. If they have a clean run, because I think it will be race of attrition, even in LMP2, I think a top six is possible.

“And if a top six is a possibility, then I’m sure for Chris it would be like another gold medal. Finishing would be like winning another Olympic title.”

McNish also believes the race at the front of the main LMP1 hybrid field will be an intense battle between the usual suspects, 13-time winners Audi, Toyota, and last year’s winners Porsche, which again starts from pole. And the Scot believes unlike previous years where speed was king, reliability could prove a greater influence this weekend.

“All three leading manufacturers are pushing very aggressively in terms of development,” he explained. “Porsche is probably in the best position because they have a car they understand and they know from last year; it’s an evolution.

“Toyota is here with a completely new engine package, and we have a raft of new technical advancements, and have moved up to the six mega-joules energy category.

“But the fact is that every time Audi has lost, they’ve come back very aggressively. You don’t come here to finish second, and we have every intention of being on the top step of the podium at 3 o’clock on Sunday.”

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Jim McGill