Le Mans blow for frustrated Hynes (From Stroud News and Journal)

Le Mans blow for frustrated Hynes

A FORMER Formula 3 champion's dreams of making his debut in next month's world-famous Le Mans 24-hour race have been cruelly shattered.

Tetbury's Marc Hynes, 26, who is this year driving in sports car endurance, was furious when organisers had a change of heart after originally accepting an entry from his LNT team.

"It's a bitter blow," said Hynes.

"We've been doing pretty well in the series, and we had high hopes of achieving a good result at Le Mans.

"If it was just down to the fact that we're a new team, I suppose I could understand. But that doesn't seem to be the case at all as several other more established teams have also been thrown out by the OAC for whatever reason."

Hynes made his debut for the team in a TVR 400R in the Sebring 12-hour race in the USA earlier this year, but had to retire due to mechanical failure when challenging for a podium finish.

However, at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium last month, a triumphant Hynes finished second in the GT2 class in a gruelling 1000k race.

Having put this upset quickly behind him, Hynes is now looking ahead to other races in the 1000k series - such as Monza in July and then at Silverstone in August.

Always a driver ready to bounce back, Hynes concluded: "I can tell you one thing for sure - tasting that champagne in Belgium brought back happy memories of my days in Formula 3."