Ligier JS Cup France : First victory for the #70 LADC Ligier JS2 R
The end of the summer break has come and championships are back one by one. It is the Ligier JS Cup France that opens the way with its fourth round on the Paul Ricard circuit, at Le Castellet on Friday 3 September 2021. A successful return to the track for the #70 LADC Ligier JS2 R which takes its first victory of the season and sets the fastest time in the race, as well as for the #408 No Limit Racing Ligier JS2 R which wins in the Am category.
The drivers of the Ligier JS Cup France got back to racing on Friday, September 3, 2021: a return that was quite sporty to say the least, since free practice, qualifying and the six-hour race were held on the same day.
At the end of the morning, the #10 Zosh Di Environnement Ligier JS2 R (Pro Am) driven by Jean-René Du Fournoux and Hugo Rosati topped the free practice session with a best lap of 2:21.995s. In the Am category, it was the #18 Orhès Sambms Athesi Bma car driven by Franck Dallavalle, Rocco Spano and Micael Costa that set the fastest time of 2:30.118s.
Free practice was over and it was time for qualifying! The #15 MB Performance (Pro Am) Ligier JS2 R with Natan Bihel and Romain Carton at the wheel took its first pole position of the season with a best lap of 2:18.376s. In fifth place, the #73 of Orhès - VS Compétition driven by Rémi, Axel and Didier Van Straaten took the lead in the Am category.
The race started two hours later, at 2 pm. The #15 MB Performance Ligier JS2 R started in the lead and dominated the first hour of the race. Behind, the #6 of No Limit Racing driven by Nicolas Ciamin and Raphaël Deschamps and the #70 of LADC driven by Thierry Petit and Grégory Servais. In the Am category, the #73 of Orhès - VS Compétition moved up one place to fourth overall.
In the second hour of the race, two Ligier JS2 R in the Pro Am class, the #6 of No Limit Racing and the #70 of LADC, were fighting for the lead. It was the #6 that finally came out on top at the end of the hour, followed by the #73 of Orhès - VS Compétition, which continued to hold first place in the Am class and second place overall.
But the #70 Ligier JS2 R crew had not said its last word and made a comeback in the third hour. On lap 59, they managed to overtake their rival and regain first place overall and in the Pro Am category. In the Am category, the #408 of Not Limit Racing, driven by Olivier Fernandez and Sébastien Margot, made an excellent comeback. Qualified 17th, it was third overall and first in its class.
Four hours after the start of the race, there was a new challenger for victory: the #10 Zosh Di Environnement Ligier JS2 R. After winning the last two races (Magny-Cours and Le Mans), it quickly threatened the #70 of LADC. The two rivals swapped the lead several times, until the #70 took it and won the race for the first time this season. The LADC car also set the fastest lap of the race in 2:17.072s. The #21 Orhès - FDP Solutions car with Benjamin Rivière, Philippe Sersot and Manuel Rebelo at the wheel came in third on the podium.
In the Am class, the #408 No Limit Racing Ligier JS2 R briefly lost the top spot in class before regaining it in the fifth hour until the chequered flag. It was closely followed by the #33 of Gringo Racing, driven by Robert Desmet, Chris Maes and Boris Depaepe. After having temporarily lost the third position, the #39 of Orhès - Stephya with Jean Maurin and Franck Petit at the controls won the bronze medal. The #73 of Orhès - VS Compétition set the fastest lap in its class in 2:18.182s.
Pro Am Podium:
1 - #70 LACD
2 - #10 Zosh – Di Environnement
3 - #21 Orhès – FDP Solutions
Am Podium:
1 - #408 No Limit Racing
2 - #33 Gringo Racing
3 - #39 Orhès Stephya
The next round of the Ligier JS Cup France will be held at the Paul Armagnac circuit in Nogaro on October 1st.