The first session of the 2018 ELMS Prologue at Paul Ricard saw Graff top the times with a 1:44.012 by Tristan Gommendy, on the team’s final flying lap with its #39 ORECA 07 Gibson.
Rain early on prevented many runners from braving the conditions, causing the times to tumble towards the end of the four-hour session as the track dried out.
Gommendy’s times was 0.159 faster than the rest of the runners in the enormous 18-car LMP2 field by the end of the session. The car which came closest was the #35 SMP Racing Dallara P217, Victor Shaitar setting its 1:44.171 shortly before the end.
Slotting in third meanwhile was the #32 United Autosports Ligier JS P217, making it three different P2 chassis in the top three. Hugo De Sadeleer’s 1:44.518 the Anglo-American’s best time.
In the LMP3 ranks, the 2017 title-winning #2 United Autosports Ligier paced the field, Sean Rayhall setting a 1:53.081, which was almost two tenths faster than Ultimate’s new Norma M30, which is making its ELMS debut here this weekend. The #19 M Racing YMR Norma ended up third, ahead of the 360 Racing Ligier which brought out a Full-Course Yellow early on for stopping on track.
DKR’s Norma M30, which finished with the 10th fastest time, meanwhile, brought out red flags shortly after 360’s car was recovered, when Alex Toril had an off into the barriers.
In GTE there were dramas too, Ebimotors brand new Porsche 911 RSR sustaining heavy damage to the rear and front-right corner after an off by Fabio Babini. The #77 Proton Porsche didn’t have a trouble free run either, the car having a big off at Turn 3.
Fastest in the GTE category was eventually the sister #88 Proton 911 RSR with a 1:56.548 by Gianluca Roda. The #55 Spirit of Race #66 JMW Ferrari 488s completed the top three.
Featured image courtesy of ELMS
