Michelin Le Mans Cup: 100% Ligier JS P320 podium at Spa-Francorchamps
The fourth round of the 2024 Michelin Le Mans Cup season took place on Saturday August 24, after a short summer break. The seven-kilometer Spa-Francorchamps circuit has never failed to provide a thrilling race, and it lived up to this reputation throughout the 110-minute race. Twenty-five Ligier JS P320s took part in this round, won by the #26 of Bretton Racing driven by Ben Store and Theodor Jensen. COOL Racing's #87 Ligier (James Sweetnam / Adrien Clomesnil) finished second, followed by More Motorsport's #99 (Mark Van der Snel / Max Van der Snel).
- The weekend kicked off with two free practice sessions in which the Ligier JS P320s remained at the top of the timesheets.
- Team Thor's #77 Ligier JS P320 dominated the second session with a lap of 2:13.144 set by Colin Noble. It was followed by the Bretton Racing #62 with a time of 2:13.386 set by Theodor Jensen.
- The qualifying session on Saturday, August 24 was hotly contested and full of twists and turns. Nielsen Racing's #7 Ligier JS P320 (Tony Wells/ Wayne Boyd) came second, just 0''004 ahead of Shahan Sarkissian's #2 Ligier JS P320 (CD Sport). The #26 Bretton Racing Ligier JS P320 with Jamie Falvey at the wheel qualified fourth.
- At the start, an incident occurred even before the green flag. A car leaked fluid on the grid, and at Turn 1 the stewards had to clear the track before the race could begin. The race director added an extra formation lap to ensure that the track is in good condition.
- The attack on the first corner resulted in a collision at La Source, and Tony Wells' #7 Ligier JS P320 (Nielsen Racing) was blocked in the center of the corner. Custodio Toledo's GT #88 (AF Corse) hit the front of the LMP3. The Safety Car entered the track to clear the cars. Wells is forced to retire.
- The race resumed after twenty minutes. Romano Ricci, seventh on the grid, managed to navigate the chaos of the first corner and took the lead with the #13 M Racing Ligier JS P320. Julien Lemoine's #4 Ligier JS P320 (ANS Motorsport) was second, and Christophe Lapierre's (Racing Spirit of Leman, #10) third.
- After the pitstops, the #13 JS P320, now driven by Alexandre Cougnaud, was second, ahead of Marius Fossard's #10, which received a drive-through penalty for a grid infraction.
- The #20 Ligier JS P320 driven by Tommy Foster (High Class Racing) collided with the safety barriers at Les Combes. The race was neutralized to evacuate the severely damaged car.
- The race resumed, but a few minutes later the Safety Car made its third entry when MV2S Racing's #28 Ligier JS P320 ran aground in the gravel in a cloud of smoke, as did the Iron Dames' Lamborghini after a spin at Blanchimont.
- On the restart, with only three minutes on the clock, the on-track battle rages on.
- In the final corner, Alexandre Cougnaud and the #13 M Racing Ligier JS P320 took the lead, but collided with the #67 of the Haegeli by T2 Racing team. Behind, the #62 Ligier JS P320 of Theodor Jensen (Bretton Racing) finished second and Adrien Closmenil (COOL Racing, #87) third.
- But the #13 M Racing Ligier was given a five-second penalty for its collision with the #67. It dropped back to seventh place, while the other cars gained one place.
- Bretton Racing's #26 JS P320 (Ben Store / Theodor Jensen) took first place, followed by COOL Racing's #87 Ligier (James Sweetnam / Adrien Clomesnil) and More Motorsport's #99 (Mark Van der Snel / Max Van der Snel).
- M Racing has appealed this decision and the race result remains provisional until the appeal hearing takes place.
- COOL Racing currently leads the provisional standings with its #97 Ligier JS P320.
The next round will take place at the Mugello, in Italy on 28 September 2024.
For the full results, CLICK HERE.
For more information on the Michelin Le Mans Cup, CLICK HERE.
For more information on the Ligier JS P320, CLICK HERE.