Teams go out testing
The private test session today saw 24 of the 27 cars out on track. It was topped with an effort in the last 15 minutes by Phil Hanson in the #22 United Autosports Ligier JS P2 Nissan with a 1:57.212 on a dry but very cold Shanghai International Circuit.
That effort edged out the best from Pipo Derani in the #8 Spirit of Race Ligier, who finished with a 1:57.307, with the #24 Algarve Pro Ligier Judd next up but two seconds back.
In LMP3, there was an early effort from Nigel Moore in the #65 Viper Niza Racing Ligier (2:01.910), topping the class with the two Ecurie Ecosse / Nielsen Racing pair next up, Colin Noble’s #79 ahead of Christian Olsen’s #7. Moore then improved on his time at the very end, a 2:00.812, putting him ahead of two LMP2 cars.
GT saw the #11 Car Guy Ferrari 488 GT3 with James Calado aboard finish top with a 2:05.492, half a second up on the #88 TSRT Audi R8 LMS of Dries Vanthoor.
Alessandro Pier Guidi rounded out the top three in the #51 Spirit of Race 488. The session was red flagged due to Max Wiser, in the sister #66 TSRT Audi, suffering a fire out on track. Post session the team examined the damage. It’s too early to say how serious the fire was.
Only the pair of Jackie Chan DC Racing Ligier JS P3s and and one of the Porsche cup cars (Open Road Racing) did not take part in the test.
JCDC Ligiers being prepped
Both Jackie Chan DC Racing Ligiers, one of which arrived late with the ORECA 05 Nissan, are in the process of being prepared for running tomorrow, with a number of drivers spotted in conversation with DC Racing team owner David Cheng and Ho Pin Tung.
Amongst the drivers seen in the pits in contention for a driver were Hugo De Sadeleer, Lamborghini racer Doyun Hwang and the somewhat controversial, Yoshi Mori.
No Team Virage
One car to have fallen from the provisional entry list is the #95 Team Virage Ligier, the team falling short of gaining the drivers required for this race. Henning Enqvist had been listed against the car. It’s not clear at present whether or not the team will try to enter a car in the remaining rounds.
Multiple layouts being used
The two series contesting this weekend’s action at the Shanghai International Circuit, will use different layouts. The Chinese Touring Car Championship will use a shorter lap, whilst the Asian Le Mans Series will use the same 5.4km configuration of the circuit that the FIA WEC used last weekend.
The switch between the two will take about 20 minutes.
