Panis Racing’s #65 ORECA 07 Gibson topped the times in the first practice session of the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps with a 2:01.385 from Charles Milesi during a seven-lap stint.
The time from the Alpine Hypercar driver was six-tenths up on the #37 COOL Racing ORECA and the #34 Inter Europol ORECA after what turned out to be a heavily interrupted session.
In P2 Pro/Am United Autosports’ #21 ORECA led the way, with Filipe Albuquerque setting a 2:02.294 to go sixth overall, marginally slower than the #43 Inter Europol and AO by TF LMP2 entries that slotted in fourth and fifth.
LMP3 saw COOL Racing put Ligier on top with its #17 JS P320, its time a 2:11.211 from Manuel Espirito Santo. The quickest Duqueine – the #4 from DKR – slotted in second after a Wyatt Brichacek 2:11.423.
And finally, in LMGT3 it was a Ferrari 1-2 with the #57 Kessel Racing 296 LMGT3 first. Daniel Serra set the Swiss team’s best time, a 2:15.876, which was two-tenths faster than Conrad Laursen who vaulted the #50 Formula Racing example to second on the leaderboard.
Best of the rest was the #60 Proton Competition Porsche with a 2:16.4.
The session ran significantly longer than planned and finally came to an end at 13:30 local time after a 40-minute extension.
The time added on came after a lengthy second red flag for barrier repairs on the Kemmel Straight prompted by an incident involving the #22 United Autosports ORECA of Bijoy Garg and the Iron Dames Porsche of Rahel Frey.
Thankfully, after both drivers were taken to the medical centre at the circuit, they were quickly released after checks.
Paddock source confimed to DSC that Garg, who was tucked up in a draft of an LMP2 car coming through Raidillon, rapidly overtook the Iron Dames Porsche. Rahel saw one car coming, didn’t see the second and moved to tuck in to get a tow, hitting the side of the United ORECA, pitching her backwards into the wall. The United car ended up forwards into the Armco as a result of the contact.
Despite the high speed impact, the damage to the United car, whilst extensive, is mainly cosmetic. The Porsche though, is beyond repair here, but a replacement 911 LMGT3 R 992 is en route and due in late this evening.
There was another incident to report at Blanchimont too, with Duncan Cameron having an off in the #55 Spirit of Race Ferrari 296, damaging its front-right corner and right side. He too was ‘ok’ after the hit.
Next up is the Bronze Test later this afternoon before FP2 tomorrow morning at 10:15.
Featured image courtesy of ELMS
