It was a frustrating time for Jota Sport at the European Le Mans Series event in Imola at the weekend.

Unfortunately for the Kent based team an on track incident cost the team in their Nissan a real chance at victory.

They looked to be in perfect form with just a few weeks left until the Le Mans 24 hour event in June, and they will be confident heading into the event after the showing over the whole weekend.

Oliver Turvey highlighted just how much pace the car had as he managed to secure the teams second successive ELMS pole position, it was a stunning 1m 34.343s that put them on pole over half a second clear of the nearest challengers in second.

Turvey then started the three hour race and managed to keep ahead of the chasing pack of cars, in doing so he managed to bag the fastest lap of the race.

Simon Dolan then took the controls half way through the race, he managed to maintain the pace set by his teammate and keep the car at the front end of the race. He was battling in a great scrap with their rival Thiriet by TDS.

Then with 40 minutes of the race remaining a slowing back marker forced him to take avoiding action at the exit of a fast chicane. Whilst recovering back onto the track it cost the Jota team any chance of the race victory.

Unfortunately it was to get worse for the Brit and the team as the car had to be retired in the closing stages due to an alternator issue.

Speaking after the race a disappointed Dolan, said: “We had excellent pace this weekend and, were it not for the contact, were looking at a spot on the podium and perhaps the victory. Naturally we’re frustrated by the lost points but our rivals will have their own misfortunes at some stage, so I’m sure we can fight back.

“It’s always good to get more experience aboard the car as ultimately there’s no substitute for seat time. That was one of the busiest races I’ve contested and I really enjoyed fighting for the lead. It’s an awesome circuit and now we’ve got Le Mans to focus on, so I’m upbeat in spite of the DNF.”

The ELMS series now takes a break as most of the teams will be lining up in the prestigious Le Mans 24 hour race in just five weeks’ time.