Rob Bell has successfully defended the Le Mans Series GT2 title after a win in the final round of the 2008 campaign at Silverstone.

Bell took the title alone after regular team-mate Gimmi Bruni was unable to race due to a clashing FIA GT Championship commitment, with Jaime Melo coming in for the weekend to also help Virgo Motorsport to the team title.

Having secured pole position in class, Bell started the race in the yellow Ferrari 430 but faced a battle to keep the chasing pack behind during the opening stint. However, better performance from the Dunlop tyres gave him an advantage and with trouble free stints from Melo, the pair were able to come home first to wrap up the titles.

“It's a great feeling to have won the race and the championship here this weekend,” he said. “The team did a fantastic job with the pitstops, and we definitely had the best tyres with Dunlop. The team owner of Virgo Motorsport, Jim McWhirter is determined, committed and focused, which drives on the whole team to succeed. I'd like to thank him and the team for all of their efforts this year, it's been great to work with them.

“It is a different feeling winning the championship for the second time, there is a realisation of all your hard work because you are under more pressure to retain the title. Everyone else is aiming to beat you, so it's a relief that we were able to maintain our dominance and keep our titles. My feet are now firmly back on the ground though, after two great days of racing I have to turn my focus to the remaining FIA GT races on the calendar, it's not the end of the season yet for me, as I head to Nogaro for the next race in a few weeks time.”