The Sussex-based Gulf Audi team claimed fourth place in the second round of the European Le Mans Series at Jarama last weekend.

But the Littlehampton outfit suffered heartbreak with an hour remaining.

Co-drivers Stefan Johansson and Guy Smith, from Hull, were on course for a maiden victory in their Johansson Racing Audi only for a brake problem to send the hapless Swede spinning out of a nine seconds lead with an hour of the 165-minute race remaining.

Johansson, who had started third on the 21-car grid, spun into a sand trap but managed to get the car back to the pits.

Johansson said: "The brake pedal had been going soft for a couple of laps and then it lost all of the pressure. The problem was a leaking left rear brake calliper."

Smith added: "Stefan was in total control of the race - in cruise mode - but these things happen and we will bounce back for the Le Mans 24-Hour race on June 16-17."