Asian Le Mans Series: Bretton Racing triumphs in LMP3 at the 4 Hours of Dubai.
After the first two races in December 2024 in Sepang, the Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS) resumed on the weekend of 8 and 9 February 2025 at the Dubai circuit. Having finished just off the podium in Malaysia, the Bretton Racing team clinched its first victory of the season with its #26 Ligier JS P320, driven by Jens Reno Moeller, Griffin Peebles and Theodor Jensen. The #35 Ultimate Ligier JS P320 took second place, ahead of the #34 Inter Europol Competition Ligier JS P320.
Double pole position for High Class Racing
For his ALMS debut, Thomas Kiefer scored a double pole position in LMP3 for High Class Racing during the 15-minute qualifying session at the Dubai Autodrome.
Jens Reno Moeller, at the wheel of the Bretton Racing Ligier #26, set the pace right from the start of the session with a time of 1m58.199 on his first lap. But halfway through the session, Kiefer took the top spot with a time of 1m54.942, beating Moeller's previous record (1m55.930) by a second. A second lap of 1m54.942 confirmed pole position for race 2.
Alexander Bukhantsov, at the wheel of the #7 Graff Racing Ligier, finished third in race 1 with a time of 1m56.300. He will start from the front row of race 2 thanks to his second-best lap time of 1m56.318, relegating the #49 High Class Racing Ligier JS P320 to third place on Sunday's grid.
For race 1, the second row is completed by the #34 Inter Europol Competition Ligier JS P320 driven by Tim Cresswick.
Chaotic start to the race
From the very first lap, Jens Reno Moeller took the lead of the race at the wheel of the #26 Bretton Racing Ligier JS P320. Behind, several cars spun. The #35 Ultimate, the #43 Inter Europol Competition, the #7 Graff Racing and the #49 High Class Racing were delayed and dropped down the rankings before returning to the track.
Moeller retained the lead, but Tim Cresswick, in the #34 Inter Europol Competition Ligier, was still in ambush less than a second behind.
After 50 minutes of racing, the safety car took to the track after the Dragon Racing Ferrari #8 spun and hit the barrier at turn 6. The race restarted under a green flag with 1 hour 45 minutes remaining.
Bretton Racing's first victory
Theodor Jensen took over at the wheel of the #26 Bretton Racing Ligier JS P320, still in the lead, but Matteo Quintarelli was gradually closing the gap. Despite the pressure, Jensen held on and takes the LMP3 victory with an 8.047 second lead over the #35 Ligier of Ultimate, the championship leader. The Inter Europol Competition Ligier #34 completed the podium, one lap behind the leaders.
Race 2 of the Dubai 4 Hours will take place on Sunday 9 February 2025. To read this article, CLICK HERE.
For more information on the Asian Le Mans Series, CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE to find out more about the Ligier JS P320.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Ligier JS P325, the third generation of Ligier LMP3.
Photo credit: Asian Le Mans Series