Fun and games at the ACO Awards

Jan 24, 2012

The Musée des Arts Forains in Paris was the spectacular venue for the 2011 Automobile Club de l’Ouest awards ceremony, with Strakka Racing’s Piers Phillips there to collect the five trophies won by the team last year.

Festooned with carnival games of chance and skill from the early 1900s, including a magnificent wooden horse carousel, the venue took on a contrasting modern twist when the world’s top European sportscar teams arrived to celebrate a great year of competition.

Having conquered his fear of heights with a visit to the top of the Eiffel Tower the day before, Piers, Strakka Racing’s Team Principal and Technical Director, was delighted to be back on terra firma to represent the Silverstone-based team at the star-studded gathering.

And his journey home on Eurostar wasn’t without extra baggage, as he was presented with the trophies for runner-up in the Teams’ LMP2 category, 3rd place Drivers’ awards (a trophy each for Nick Leventis, Jonny Kane and Danny Watts) and a gong for winning the Michelin Green X Challenge at the 6 Hours of Estoril.

“It was good to see the ACO awards so well supported and attended by so many of the teams, because a lot of effort had clearly gone into organising the ceremony at a great venue,” said Piers.

“It was the first opportunity of 2012 to see all the other team principals and discuss the forthcoming season, before we all get down to business at the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Sebring.”