Crossing the line with man and machine in one piece was the aim for the team from Alfs Motorcycles at last weekend's 24-hour Le Mans motorcycle race.

Not only did they achieve that, the Worthing-based team also registered a top 20 finish.

Riding their Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R at the famous French circuit, the three-man line-up were placed seventh in their Stocksport Class and 18th overall.

The trio were the only British team to finish in their category and the third of the reliable Kawasaki ZX-9Rs to complete the race which saw 13 of the original 55 starters fail to finish.

The team consisting of Mick Godfrey, Ronnie Smith and former TT racer John Barton were delighted not only at finishing the race but on placing so highly.

Godrey, a salesmen at Alfs Motorcycles, said: "My personal high point was starting off the race in front of more than 100,000 race fans. It gave me an amazing buzz. The bike performed flawlessly throughout the race."

The Kawasaki machine which saw the three Sussex riders home is almost identical to the Ninja ZX-9R which can be bought at dealerships across the country - with only suspension and exhaust modifications allowed in the Stocksport Class.

The team are already planning their strategy for the 2003 race.