Ligier JS Cup France : Second victory in a row for the #15 MB Performance Ligier JS2 R
16 October 2021 - Following its last victory at Nogaro, the MB Performance's #15 Ligier JS2 R once again shone by winning the penultimate race of the Ligier JS Cup France in Portugal. LADC scored a double podium with the #70 and #48 finishing second and third. The current leader of the championship, the #10 Zosh - Di Environnement Ligier JS2 R, set the fastest lap of the weekend but finished sixth overall. In the Am category, the #18 of Orhès SAMBMS Athesi BMA finished first.
Among the 21 Ligier JS2 Rs entered, the #10 of Zosh - Di Environnement driven by Jean-René de Fournoux and Hugo Rosati dominated the free practice session on Friday 15 October. The Pro Am GT set the fastest lap in 1:53.054s. In the Am class, the #25 Modena Motors car driven by Cédric Houot and Mickaël Mota was the fastest in 1:53.959s.
The qualifying session for the six-hour race took place shortly therafter. Once again, the #10 Zosh - Di Environnement Ligier JS2 R was the fastest and clinched pole position, just ahead of two Am category cars, the #25 of Modena Motors and the #408 of No Limit Racing driven by Sébastien Margot, Julien and Manuel Rodrigues.
The race started at 8:30 am on Saturday 16 October. The #10 Zosh - Di Environnement Ligier JS2 R was overtaken on the first lap by the #25 Modena Motors car. Less than ten laps later, it was the #97 of Andreas Ritzi (Am) driven by Domenico Schiattarella, Andreas Ritzi and Daniel Buetler who was first in the race, until the 20th lap. It was then passed by the #5 Orhès - Fdp Solutions (Am) driven by Olivier Pernaut, Benjamin Rivière and Manuel Rebelo.
The #15 MB Performance Ligier JS2 R of Natan Bihel and Romain Carton, in the Pro Am category, made its first appearance at the head of the race after the first hour. But it did not hold the lead for long. The GT was quickly overtaken by an Am competitor, the #97 of Andreas Ritzi. On the 43rd lap, the #5 of Orhès - Fdp Solutions returned to the forefront for about ten laps. A battle for first place then began between #5, 25 of Modena Motors and #15 of MB Performance.
The three competitors of the two categories successively stole each other the lead of the race. Finally, the #5 Orhès - Fdp Solutions Ligier JS2 R was the first of the trio to give up the fight against the attacks of its competitors. It was overtaken on lap 101 by the #25 of Modena Motors and was unable to regain the lead.
The final duel between #25 and #15 took place. After having regained the lead twice, #25 finally lost to the attacks of the duo Natan Bihel / Romain Carton. Victorious in the fourth round at Nogaro, #15 continues its winning streak with a second victory in a row , its third of the season. LADC scored a double podium with #70 driven by Thierry Petit and Gregory Servais who crossed the finishing line second. Behind it, the second car of the team, #48 with Steven and Marc Palette at the controls. The #10 of Zosh - Di Environnement set the fastest lap of the race in 1:50.605s and finished sixth overall.
In the Am category, the #18 Orhès SAMBMS Athesi BMA Ligier JS2 R driven by Franck Dallavalle, Rocco Spano and Micael Costa finished first. It was followed by the #33 of Nivolo driven by Robbert Desmet, Boris Depaepe and Davy Vandekerckhove, and the #39 of Orhès - Stephya with Emeric Merzougui and Franck Petit at the controls.
Pro Am podium :
#15 MB Performance
#70 LADC
#48 LADC
Podium Am :
#18 Orhès SAMBSM Athesi BMA
#33 Nivolo
#39 Orhès - Stephya
The Ligier JS Cup France final round will also take place remains in Portugalon 6 November 2021 at the Estoril track. The battle for title will be at its peak between the #10 Zosh - Di Environnement Ligier JS2 R, leading with 560 points, and the #15 of MB Performance, trailing with 558.5 points. The Pro Am title will also undoubtedly be fiercely contested on November 6 at the Estoril circuit.