Asian Le Mans Series, Race 5: RLR MSport Goes Back-to-Back as Ultimate Suffers a Setback.
The third round of the Asian Le Mans Series in Abu Dhabi delivered on its promises, with a race full of twists, intense battles, and suspense until the final moments. Red flags, safety cars, and strategic moves kept teams on edge as they fought for victory at Yas Marina Circuit on Saturday, February 15. RLR MSport claimed its second consecutive LMP3 win! The crew of the #15 Ligier JS P320 took the top step in Abu Dhabi, thrusting themselves right back into the title fight on the eve of the Asian Le Mans Series finale.
Dramatic Qualifying Sessions
High Class Racing secured pole position for the final two races of the season after Thomas Kiefer set a blistering lap, finishing more than half a second ahead of Alexander Bukhantsov in the #7 Graff Racing Ligier JS P320. Kiefer's fastest time, a 1m49.315, was enough to secure pole for Race 1, while a 1m49.635 locked in the top spot for the final race of the season.
Bukhantsov lined up on the front row of the LMP3 grid for both races. Nick Adcock, winner of the 4 Hours of Dubai, finished the session in third, ahead of Jens Reno Moeller in the #26 Bretton Racing Ligier JS P320. Championship leader Ultimate qualified fifth.
A Chaotic Start Costs Ultimate Dearly
From the green flag, the race was filled with incidents. A collision between the #35 Ultimate Ligier JS P320 and the #49 High Class Racing Ligier JS P320 led to disaster. Louis Stern, driving the #35, spun but attempted to rejoin the track, only to be struck by the #81 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG. The heavy impact triggered an extended safety car period.
Fortunately, all drivers emerged unscathed. However, the #35 Ligier JS P320, which led the championship coming into this race, saw its title hopes take a hit, finishing fifth in class, ten laps down on the winner.
RLR MSport Seizes the Opportunity.
Jens Reno Moeller initially led the LMP3 field in the #26 Bretton Racing Ligier, with Tim Creswick in the #34 Inter Europol Competition Ligier JS P320 close behind. Creswick challenged for the lead but was forced to pit for fuel. After the next round of pit stops, Nick Adcock took control in the #15 RLR MSport Ligier JS P320, pursued by Griffin Peebles in the #26 Bretton Racing Ligier JS P320. Peebles steadily closed a 20-second gap over the next 15 minutes, taking the lead with 71 minutes remaining.
Following the final pit stops, Theodor Jensen in the #26 Bretton Racing Ligier JS P320 mounted a charge on the #15 RLR MSport Ligier JS P320, now in the hands of Ian Aguilera. Despite Jensen's strong pace, the Danish driver was unable to get close enough to make a move. Aguilera managed the final stages perfectly, crossing the line 17 seconds ahead of the #26.
Behind them, the #7 Graff Racing Ligier JS P320 completed the podium, finishing more than a minute behind the winner. The result brought RLR MSport back into championship contention, while Bretton Racing took over the points lead heading into the final showdown of the season.
A High-Stakes Finale Awaits
With the LMP3 championship still wide open, the final race of the season promises to be a thriller. Bretton Racing now leads the standings with 85 points, followed by Ultimate (80 points), RLR MSport (75 points), and High Class Racing (66 points).
Will RLR MSport make it three in a row in LMP3? The answer will come on Sunday, February 16, during the final race of the 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series! CLICK HERE to read the article on the final.
For more information on the Asian Le Mans Series, CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Ligier JS P320.
CLICK HERE to have more information on the Ligier JS P325, the third generation of Ligier LMP3.
Photo credit: Asian Le Mans Series