DSC’s man on the spot brings these images from the paddock and pit lane as the teams set up for the Test Day on Sunday ahead of the Le Mans 24 Hours proper in a fortnight’s time.
The circuit is looking neat and tidy with the new starting gantry awaiting its branding!
LMP1
Both SMP Racing BR1 AERs were present yesterday with the only immediate sign of an aero change on the cars at present the omission of an upper dive plane, DSC understands that BR Engineering have requested approval for a change to their low downforce kit after the Spa ‘blowover’ for the #17 car.
There was an opportunity for a clean shot too of the low downforce kit for the Rebellion R-13, which tested only recently. The car is expected to be very quick in straight line speed, and after Oreca’s performance with its ‘kissing cousin’ 07 LMP2 car the lap times look likely to be impressive too.
Both Ginettas are being prepped after recent testing post Spa, expect some subtle changes here.
ByKolles too is here and hard at work, the team better prepared than ever it seems for the rigours to come!
LMP2
United Autosport’s effort expands to a second LMP2 Ligier this year, and the hard-working team are already fully engaged making sure that the cars, and their spares stock, are ready to roll.
There was also a good opportunity at Panis Barthez for a closer look at the new low drag front bodywork for the Ligier.
Algarve Pro’s Ligier too is in the midst of it’s pre-test build up.
Eurasia’s ‘Krohn Green’ liveried Ligier JS P217 is in the midst of preparation too, Mark Goddard’s regular crew on parade once again.
Larbre Competition’s base camp is also almost completely built up, as the French team gets ready for its first Le Mans with the JS P217.
The SMP Racing LMP2 Dallara was already in its garage too .
With Cetilar Villorba Corse’s Dallara P217 offering an opportunity to view its shapely tail ‘sans rear clip’
In contrast to the Ligiers and Dallara’s there’s no major change to the ORECA 07 Gibsom. Here are the two TDS Racing prepped cars with the #26 G-Drive Racing car to the fore.
The second G-Drive backed car is with Graff Racing.
At IDEC Sport, in addition to the team’s #48 07 Gibson (still with its ELMS (#28) number panels) being fully built up when DSC’s man on the ground walked past, the team’s sporting director Nic Minassian was also on site to overlook proceedings.
And finally, the #36 Signatech Alpine A470 looks ready to go, as the team looks to win Le Mans’ LMP2 class for a second time in three years.
DSC has also taken a look at the GTE teams unloading, in Part 2, HERE
