MAY 22, 2003

Johnny Dumfries to give Le Mans a miss

Former F1 racer and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Johnny Dumfries was due to return to Le Mans this year after 11 years in retirement but the 45-year-old Scottish aristocrat has decided not to go ahead with the plan.

Former F1 racer and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Johnny Dumfries was due to return to Le Mans this year after 11 years in retirement but the 45-year-old Scottish aristocrat (he is the Marquis of Bute and was previously the Earl of Dumfries) has decided not to go ahead with the plan after taking part in the recent pre-race test session where he drove John Nielsen's DBA-Zytek.

"It rekindled lots of old memories and I felt the buzz and the excitement of going racing once again, but to do Le Mans properly in a car that is capable not only of winning its class but also finishing in the top 10 is a huge commitment. I just have too many other obligations and responsibilities to give it my best effort in June."

Dumfries is currently promoting the Mount Stuart Motorsport Classic - a motoring festival that takes place in September at his family home on the Isle of Bute.