The Kruse Motorsport team is switching its focus to the 2008 season after seeing its Le Mans Series challenger destroyed in a fire following testing at the Lausitzring.

The team was returning to base following the test at the German circuit when the team truck stopped at a petrol station to refuel. Team members then noticed smoke coming from the rear of the trailer and, having moved the truck away from the fuel pumps, opened the trailer to try and deal with the fire.

Despite the best efforts of the team and the firefighters who arrived shortly afterwards, both car and trailer were destroyed before the fire was finally extinguished.

“It is just a shock for our team and the only good news is that our number one mechanic Walter Ohlert, who had been sent to hospital with minor smoke intoxication, has recovered completely,” team manager Kai Kruse said. “We are now going to start our preparations for 2008 and apart from that we are also considering competing in some endurance races with our BMW Z4 this season.”

The team will still be present at Silverstone this weekend to honour sponsor commitments.