The European Le Mans Series test days at Paul Ricard saw two days of exceptional dry running for the 14 cars that took part. Fastest of those were Signatech Alpine, a 1:47.652 the only time inside the 1:47 mark from any car. The car, shared by Pierre Ragues, Nelson Panciatici and Tristan Gommendy, was a constant presence toward the top of the times.
Despite the new Dunlop tyre reported to be an improvement (particularly a new, wider front), it meant that Michelin topped the times for the test. However, as with any test, there is little that can be drawn simply by looking at times. ‘Working to a program’ was a phrase oft reported…
That said, fastest LMPC was the #47 Team Endurance Challenge car. Gary Hirsch was listed against the car on the screens when the time was set, but a number of drivers took turns in the car.
In GTE, the two Ram cars were often split by a gap of over a second (in favour of #52) though team sources were surprised to hear there was a gap at all – they were not examining the times too closely. A 1:58.226 was the fastest time set, in the hands of Johnny Mowlem.
The major incident of note was a heavy crash for the Race Performance Oreca in the hands of Patrick Niederhauser. The car left on Tuesday, and the team have work to do to repair the car before its race debut at Silverstone.
Jerome D’Ambrosio, listed to appear at Boutsen Ginion, did not appear. Nor did Kessel Racing, though it was reported that the truck was seen on Monday before departing again before testing began.
IMSA Matmut and Oak Racing only participated in the second day. Oak were testing two Taiwanese drivers, Ronnie Liu and Jeffrey Lee. Both were making their prototype debuts and, clearly, caution was the main word. Both were upwards of ten seconds shy of the pace set by the other LMP2 runners. Lee has some experience in GT racing in Asia, including the Audi R8 LMS Cup, while Liu indicated he has raced in Formula Renault Asia and local touring car series. Though it was just a test for the pair, Liu also indicated he was looking to do the series if a deal could be done.
IMSA ran a 2010 spec Porsche for Patrice Milesi. The Frenchman steadily improved, and finished within a handful seconds of the largely pro led efforts from Ram. He will be joined by Wolf Henzler for the season.
There were some troubles for DKR, whose Lola stopped out on the circuit a couple of times. The ex Pecom Racing car, which is being run with Ibanez Racing Services, was piloted by a number of drivers over two days. First was Christophe Bouchut, the Frenchman shaking down the chassis but not returning to the cockpit after early runs. Also taking seat time were; CN class regular and LMP2 experienced Jose Ibanez, GT3 runner Ricardo Brandela, Olivier Porta again with LMP2 and GT experience, historic racer Stephane Raffin and Stefan Romecki. Romecki’s experience is varied, touching on single seaters, the Euro Nascar series, GTs and VdeV with Ibanez.
It was a similar story at Oreca run Team Endurance Challenge. Soheil Ayari needs no introduction – he was joined in #48 by Anthony Pons, who has raced in the past with IMSA Porsche. In #47, Mercedes GT3 racer Gary Hirsch, Formula Renault pilot Alex Loan Ventura, VdeV racer Matthieu Lecuyer and Paul Loup-Chatin, who also has Formula Renault experience, all drove.
There was a little frustration in LMPC, with a ride height change before the test, and then during the test (the second reverting the first change). It meant that, in the words of one team member, ‘we’ve wasted two days’. However, he did add that it was a good opportunity for drivers to gain experience alongside a pro and learn the car.
Finally, one man settling in very nicely is Oliver Turvey. The McLaren F1 test driver, racing in 2013 with Simon Dolan at Jota, was fast and very relaxed. Describing the downforce levels as ‘impressive, very similar to single seaters’ he went on to point out that he has GT racing experience in the McLaren program so endurance racing is not totally new to him. His pace was impressive and he will certainly be one to watch.
The new look series debuts at Silverstone, a three hour race on Saturday April 13th in support of the World Endurance Championship – with an announced 30 car grid.
JY
