Justin Keen earned special praise from his team manager after co-driving the Taurus Sports Lola Judd to fourth place in the 1000 kilometre FIA Sports Car Championship race at Spa.

The car, that the New Forest driver shared with Italian Gianni Lavaggi and American Larry Oberto, finished just 32 seconds off a podium place with a late, unscheduled pit stop by the Italian costing them crucial time.

But team boss Ian Dawson said: "To finish a good fourth after six hours hours of a competitive race with 35 cars has to be a success story.

"I was delighted the way the team worked together - Justin deserves a special mention for the way he was able to drive so consistently fast, lap after lap for a three-hour stint.

"He did everything the team asked of him and proved he and the car are a force to be reckoned with in any company."

The race was won by the formidable Audi R8 with a Courage Peugeot in second.

Keen said: "Finishing fourth in a prestigious race is a good result but, having been so close to a podium finish, it's hard not to feel disappointed, especially after the team worked so hard over the weekend."

The Taurus Judd, which was third at Monza, will end the season at the Petit Le Mans Road Atlanta Race in the USA in October.

And the Norfolk-based team want Keen there. A Taurus spokesman said: "He's the quickest driver we've had."