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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Minister quits to race in Le Mans | Minister quits to race in Le Mans |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Defence Minister Lord Drayson has taken a "leave of absence" from the government in a bid to take part in the world-famous 24-hour Le Mans race. | Defence Minister Lord Drayson has taken a "leave of absence" from the government in a bid to take part in the world-famous 24-hour Le Mans race. |
| The 47-year-old is resigning from his unpaid post to take part a series of qualifying events in the United States. | |
| A government spokesman said it was "a key step towards his eventual dream of success" in Le Mans. | A government spokesman said it was "a key step towards his eventual dream of success" in Le Mans. |
| Lord Drayson came second in the British GT championship this year, driving a "unique bio-ethanol fuelled" car. | Lord Drayson came second in the British GT championship this year, driving a "unique bio-ethanol fuelled" car. |
| 'Once-in-a-lifetime' | 'Once-in-a-lifetime' |
| The American Le Mans series involves four different classes of car, with the winner of each class going on to take part in the main 24-hour race, in France. | |
| In a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Lord Drayson said: "As you know I have a passion for motor racing and over the past year have competed in the British GT championship racing a unique bio-ethanol fuelled race car, achieving a 'historic first' win for a green-fuelled car and coming second overall in the championship. | |
| "A number of special circumstances have now presented me with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take my racing to the next level. | "A number of special circumstances have now presented me with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take my racing to the next level. |
| "I have the opportunity to race next year in the American Le Mans series in the US, a key step towards my eventual dream of success in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race." | "I have the opportunity to race next year in the American Le Mans series in the US, a key step towards my eventual dream of success in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race." |
| You are of course lucky to have that opportunity but you are showing your customary boldness and imagination by pursuing it Gordon BrownLord Drayson | You are of course lucky to have that opportunity but you are showing your customary boldness and imagination by pursuing it Gordon BrownLord Drayson |
| He said next year was the first time bio-ethanol cars would be allowed to compete, adding: "So this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase British motorsport technology for environmentally friendly racing." | He said next year was the first time bio-ethanol cars would be allowed to compete, adding: "So this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase British motorsport technology for environmentally friendly racing." |
| Lord Drayson, who in 2004 was Labour's biggest individual donor, having made a fortune in the technology business, said: "Unfortunately it cannot be combined with the challenge of full-time government office." | |
| Mr Brown wrote to say he was sorry to lose him and looked forward to "your return to government when your leave of absence ends". | Mr Brown wrote to say he was sorry to lose him and looked forward to "your return to government when your leave of absence ends". |
| He added: "I understand your desire to take up the extraordinary opportunity which has now emerged to achieve your great life's ambition. | He added: "I understand your desire to take up the extraordinary opportunity which has now emerged to achieve your great life's ambition. |
| "You are of course lucky to have that opportunity but you are showing your customary boldness and imagination by pursuing it." | "You are of course lucky to have that opportunity but you are showing your customary boldness and imagination by pursuing it." |
| Lord Drayson's job as defence procurement minister job has gone, on a permanent and paid basis, to Baroness Ann Taylor. | |
| The Le Mans 24-hour race has been held since 1923. Teams have to include at least three drivers to prevent fatigue. | |
| The American series started in 1999. |