VDS Panis Racing’s #48 ORECA, which topped testing yesterday, set the benchmark time again today in the opening free practice session for the ELMS runners at Silverstone. In blustery, overcast conditions, Esteban Masson posted the quickest lap for the championship leaders, a 1:43.485 early in the 90-minute run.
It was left unbeaten for the remainder of the session, which was hit with light rain showers on the Hamilton Straight and Copse in the closing minutes, though Nick Yelloly came close for Inter Europol Competition. His best time was 1:1:43.536, putting him half a tenth off in the #43 ORECA.
Enzo Fittipaldi’s efforts ensured the #47 CLX Racing example slotted in third with a tour of the 5.8km circuit in 1:43.932.
LMP2 Pro/Am’s best lap was set by Sergio Sette Camara for Nielsen Racing. The Brazilian’s lap was a 1:44.636 to better Mathias Beche’s early flyer for TDS Racing and put the #27 ORECA seventh overall in the times.
By the end of the session, Alex Quinn would also eclipse Beche’s hot lap with a 1:44.752 to go second in Pro/Am and eighth overall.
The sole Duqueine D09 from WTM by Rinaldi in the field ended up quickest in LMP3. Griffin Peebles was at the wheel when the car completed its 1:53.947.
It was less than a tenth up on the fastest time from a Ligier JS P325, which on this occasion was the #15 from RLR M Sport. The championship-leading #17 JS P325 from CLX, which caused a brief FCY after an off into the gravel at Chapel, would end up third.
And in LMGT3, it was the Iron Dames Porsche on top. Michelle Gatting reeled off a 2:00.112 to head up a Porsche 1-2 in the classification. Proton Competition’s #60 911 LMGT3.R would take second, with the TF Sport Corvette third.
It was extremely tight in the LMGT3 ranks, as 12 of the 13 cars set times within a second of the Iron Dames 911. The only car that didn’t was the #50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari.
Track action continues with the Bronze Test at 15:10 later today before FP2 tomorrow morning at 10:10.
