Playing second fiddle fuels Briscoe resolve

A FRUSTRATING second in Texas on Sunday has not shifted Ryan Briscoe's focus on his first series win in the US's Indy Racing League.

For the second straight race, the Australian was trumped in the run to the checkered flag by Penske teammate Helio Castroneves.

"The last 20 laps were some of the most frustrating I've ever driven," Briscoe said. "To lead the whole race and have the quickest car out there, I just couldn't pass Helio. It's just when you're so close to winning it, it feels a bit bitter.

"But it's good to be points leader right now. We just need to keep moving forward."

After just six of 17 races, Briscoe is closing on the season record. He has led for 424 laps against the 899 benchmark of Scott Dixon last year.

But Briscoe is out for wins.

"The important thing is we're racing for the wins. We'll get our wins. That's what it's all about, the championship," he said.

DAVID Brabham plans to make a little piece of history in the 24 hours of Le Mans this weekend.

His older brother Geoff won the French 24-hour sports car classic in 1993 driving a Peugeot and David intends to do a double, taking the race and doing it with the latest Peugeot prototype.

Sir Jack Brabham's youngest son has been a class winner at Le Mans twice with Aston Martin, and also finished second overall in a Bentley.

"I'm very driven. Every year Le Mans is the highlight of my year. I love the place, I love racing there," Brabham said yesterday.

"Geoff always gives me a hard time because he's won it and I haven't. If we both win, and both win for Peugeot, it will be pretty unique."

Brabham said Audi had been virtually unbeatable in the 24-hour race for a decade, but the Renault team had the fastest car last year.

"Of all the races I've done at Le Mans, and it's 15 or 16 or 17, this is probably the second real chance of winning. I want to make the most of it," Brabham said.

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