Michelin Le Mans Cup: Victory for High Class Racing’s Ligier JS P320 in Barcelona
The opening round of the Michelin Le Mans Cup took place at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit on 12 and 13 April. Twenty-five Ligier JS P320s were entered for this opening round of the 2024 season and the #20 High Class Racing car, driven by Tommy Foster and Jens Moller, claimed its first ever victory in the series.
- On Friday 12 April, the Ligier JS P320s set the top four times in the second free practice session, with Daniel Keilwitz setting the fastest lap of 1:37.595 in the #66 Rinaldi Racing car.
- On Saturday April 13, the serious business began with the qualifying session followed by two hours of racing at the end of the day.
- The #44 Team Virage, #20 High Class Racing and #59 Team Virage Ligier JS P320s occupied the front rows of the grid.
- From the first corner, the #44 Team Virage Ligier JS P320 driven by Jamie Favley took the lead.
- The #20 High Class Racing Ligier JS P320 was battling for third place with the #59 Team Virage JS P320.
- After around ten laps, the Safety Car made its first appearance on the track to pull the #99 More Motorsport JS P320 out of the gravel trap.
- After 16 minutes of neutralisation, the race resumed with two JS P320s in the top 3: the #34 of Inter Europol Competition driven by Alexander Bukhantsov and the #20 of High Class Racing with Jens Moller at the wheel.
- After the pitstops, the #20 continued to fight for the lead and finally managed to take the lead just before the second Safety Car came out.
- The race resumed with just nine minutes remaining and Tommy Foster (#20 High Class Racing) extended his lead over his attackers. He took the chequered flag in first position with a seven-second advantage.
- High Class Racing, Tommy Foster and Jens Moller won their first ever Michelin Le Mans Cup race in the #20 Ligier JS P320. The #34 Inter Europol Competition JS P320 (Alexander Bukhantsov / Rik Koen) completed the podium in third place.
Jens Moller, High Class Racing #20, Ligier JS P320, winner of the Barcelona round: “I had a good qualifying session which made things easier at the start. I immediately tried to find some space in order to stay out of trouble and then I was able to overtake at Turn 3. It was a clean race and we struggled a bit to find out how far we could push the tyres. I learnt a lot during my stint. Then Tommy did a great job and I'm very happy to have him as a team-mate.”
Tommy Foster, High Class Racing #20, Ligier JS P320, winner of the Barcelona round: “I used my experience to position the car well and make the most of it, because there aren't many opportunities to overtake here, so you have to capitalise. I also managed to save my front left tyre because on this circuit everyone knows that it's essential. Finally, I was able to open up a gap after the Safety Car and I got into qualifying mode to bring home the win.”
The next round of the Michelin Le Mans Cup will take place on 3 and 4 May 3 at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.
For full results, CLICK HERE.
For more information on the championship, CLICK HERE.
To find out more about the Ligier JS P320, CLICK HERE.