IMSA – Pole position for the #22 Nissan DPi and first place in LM P2 for the #52 Ligier JS P217
While the attention of most endurance fans was turned towards the Test Day of the 24 Hours of Le Mans today, there are also other series on track this weekend. Yesterday in Detroit, on the urban circuit of Belle Isle in the USA, the 5th round of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship took place.
On the tight track with an irregular surface, drawn up along the city's streets, the work done by the engineers and drivers during the two test sessions was rewarded by Pipo Derani's pole position at the wheel of the #22 Nissan DPi.
Having started in the lead, the #22 DPi was forced to go through the pits due to a problem with the steering wheel. This stop cost the team precious minutes. Although they re-joined at the back of the field when they left the pits, the #22 Nissan DPi managed to climb back to the head of the race, thanks to pit stop strategies and a full course yellow. After the last refuelling stop, the #22 Nissan DPi of Johannes van Overbeek and Pipo Derani was running in 7th place. They finished the race in that same position.
Having started in 10th place, the #2 Nissan DPi of Scott Sharp and Ryan Dalziel managed to climb to the foot of the podium, finishing in 4th place.
The #52 Ligier JS P217 of AFS/PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports, driven by Sebastian Saavedra and Gustavo Yacaman, ran third overall a few laps, and crossed the finish line in 8th place, first of the LM P2 chassis.
The competitors of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship will meet up again at the end of the month for the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, third of the four rounds that count for the Tequila Patron North America Endurance Cup. In 2017, a Nissan DPi and a Ligier JS P217 were at the front of the starting grid.
Photo Big Tom Photography