COLCHESTER'S Seton Tuning raced to a superb second-place class finish during the six-hour endurance race at Spa Francorchamps, in Belgium.

The challenging 4.3-mile circuit is a favourite amongst competitors due to its fast, hilly and twisty nature.

Team owner Phil Seton, from Fingringhoe, already had experience of this arduous track.

However his new team-mate, Great Dunmow's Jesse Jay Trayler did not and had the added challenge of learning his way round a new circuit.

Nevertheless, the hard-charging pair secured fourth overall and second in class.

Seton said: “This is a long over due result thanks to a difficult season so far.

"There had been a lot of setbacks which have been out of our control. It was well-earned and deserved.

"The six-hour is an arduous task, which the team rose to and the whole team worked with a devoted dedication.

"I was especially impressed with Jesse as he had just two tests on a new bike and put in great times.

"He was smooth, quick and consistent and complimented the team. It was amazing, I’m over the moon.

"This result has had generated a lot of interest for Seton Tuning in Europe as it shows what our machines and team are capable of.

"We had a different colour scheme this weekend. Pat who is my usual team-mate has been unable to race so his blue bike was retired and we changed to grey, which looked stunning. I can’t wait for our next race!”

Qualifying went well, with the talented pair placing their R1 Yamahas into 14th place overall and an impressive seventh in class.

Seton began the race with the customary Le Mans start and launched him into seventh place by the first corner.

The safety car was deployed on the first lap and stayed out for seven full laps.

As soon as it returned to the pits, Seton wasted no time in progressing through the field to fourth place.

Trayler took to the track for his first stint of the race and soon settled into a competitive pace.

Within one hour and ten minutes the team were into podium contention, running fifth overall and third in class.

From there on in they were consistently in second or third place for the remainder of the race.

As the race drew to a close the hard charging pair secured fourth overall and second in class.

Trayler said: “I'm so happy with our performance as a team.

"Spa is a circuit I have never had the pleasure of riding. It is extremely fast. I’m happy with my performance as a rider especially after 18 months away from any competitive racing.

"I feel I have gelled well with the Seton Tuning Yamaha. Phil and the team have all made me feel very welcome and comfortable within the team and I cannot thank them all enough for their effort and support in making this happen.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to Phil himself for this opportunity as well as my personal sponsors Linxcel and Held Leathers.”