Kapadia in Le Mans action

A competitor in the 2015 Le Mans 24-Hours, Kapadia was unable to land a race seat for this year’s event, but snapped up the opportunity to drive the number 15 Duqueine Engineering car in the Road To Le Mans titled event that brought LMP3 and GT3 cars together.

The Vale racer qualified 10th fastest in a 37-strong field, and made a good start when the race roared away from the starting grid.

Keeping the car in class contention during his stint, Kapadia pitted at the halfway stage for Dagoneau to drive to the end of the race. His French team-mate then drove the car home to the chequered flag in seventh position.

Afterwards Kapadia said: “It was another amazing experience to be part of the Le Mans weekend. Having driven for Murphy Prototypes at the Pre-Test two years ago, and driven in the race last year for Team AAI, I was keen to land a race seat for this year.

“Sadly that didn’t happen, but then this great opportunity opened up and I jumped at the chance to race the LMP3 car for Duqueine Engineering. I would like to thank the team and to everyone who made this weekend possible.

“This race was a great showcase for teams and drivers like me who are looking to graduate into the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24-Hour Race on a permanent basis. We had a solid race, and to finish seventh was a good result. We finished three places higher than we qualified.

“My aim is to be back at Le Mans again next year with a drive in the main race, that is my goal and I am already looking at how it can be made possible.”

The Road To Le Mans race was won by Thomas Laurent and Alexandre Cougnaud in a DC Racing-entered Ligier JSP3. Former Grand Prix racer, and television commentator, Martin Brundle, finished second in a United Autosports Ligier with Christian England. Brundle qualified the car on pole position for the race.