Milo Racing’s Ligier JS2 R scores its maiden victory at Lédenon!
27-28 September 2019, sixth and second-last round of the Ligier JS Cup France on the rolling Lédenon circuit. Twenty-four Ligier JS2 Rs on the grid! The #10 Zosh Compétition – Di Environnement Ligier JS2 R that has already scored three victories clinched its second pole position of the season. It was an action-packed event for the Ligier JS2 Rs. Milo Racing and their #280 Ligier JS2 R scored their maiden victory after dominating almost half the race. Following them into second and third came #72 entered by Zosh Compétition - Dirob, which has taken the lead in the overall classification, and #34 run by No Limit Racing.
After two hours free practice on Friday it was time for the 1h 45m qualifying session in which the teams battled to set the fastest time. The #10 Zosh Compétition – Di Environnement Ligier JS2 R driven by Jean-René de Fournoux and Hugo Rosati emerged on top with a lap in 1m 30.747s followed by #48 run by MT Racing in the hands of Yves Bandi and Grégory Guilvert.
The rolling start was given at 9:00 on Saturday morning for 3h30m racing on the technical undulating Lédenon circuit. The race was full of non-stop action and the teams had to cope with several safety car deployments.
The #280 Ligier JS2 R entered by Milo Racing for Kévin Balthazar, Julien Ménard and Pascal Amand, which started the race in eighth place, made good progress right from the get-go and took the lead on lap 50. “We were among the front-runners from the very start of the race thanks to some great stints and a good strategy and safety car management,” commented Kévin. #280 went on to score its first victory of the year, a great reward for the team that had finished second at Magny-Cours.
“We've been chasing this victory since the beginning of the season and we almost clinched it at Magny-Cours,” added Julien. “The Lédenon track is very demanding. We drove a steady race despite the safety car that reduced our lead to zero every time it was deployed. Kévin got off to a great start and we drove a flawless race. Roll on the last round so that we can pull back more places in the overall classification!”
#72 run by Zosh Compétition – Dirob in the hands of Maxime and Arnold Robin finished second. The two brothers have already scored a victory and one top-3 finish. “We're happy to be back on the podium after a couple of difficult races at Le Castellet and Magny-Cours,” smiled Arnold. “The car was very comfortable to drive so a big thank you to the whole Zosh Compétition team. It was very important at Lédenon! Maxime and I managed to get into a good rhythm in the race without taking any risks and that paid off. We're still in the title chase!”
Into third after starting fifth came the #34 Ligier JS2 R of No Limit Racing in the hands of Raphaël Deschamps and Julien Rodrigues who was having his first outing in the Ligier JS2 R. “The race went off really well,” explained Raphaël. “After a cautious start we stayed in the leading group behind #10 entered by Zosh Compétition – Di Environnement and #42 run by MT Racing. We were fighting for third place with #280 and #70. After the first round of pit stops we snatched the lead in front of #280 that was hassling us. Then we were hit with a penalty for not respecting the pit stop time and we lost more than 50 seconds! After that we went pedal to the metal right up to the closing laps to recuperate our place on the podium. It was a really crazy race!”
“My first race in the Ligier JS2 R was a very nice surprise” said a delighted Julien! “The Ligier JS2 R is very well balanced, reliable and above all very pleasant to drive. It's a real little GT that needs to be tamed to go even faster! It's a pity that we made a slight cock-up in the pits as otherwise I think we could have won the race.”
The #42 MT Racing Ligier JS2 R and #21 entered by Orhès Racing – FDP Solutions rounded out the top 5.
In the overall classification the Robin brothers have taken the lead with Zosh Compétition- Dirob's #72 Ligier JS2 R. MT Racing's #42 is only 6 points behind and 11 points in front of #10 run by Zosh Compétition - Di Environnement.
The final event of the season at Nogaro (2x4h-race) on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th October promise no-holds-barred battles for the title! The Ligier JS2 Rs will be shod with Hankook slick tyres for the event in preparation for the 2020 season.
See the full results from Lédenon and the provisional general classification on https://ligierjscupfrance.com/les-3h30-de-ledenon-chronos/
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Ligier JS Cup France
The Ligier JS Cup France is the first Ligier single-make series dedicated to the Ligier JS2 R, the latest sports car of the make. The series is organised by Max Mamers Management, the promoter of the Fun Cup and Classic Days among others. The Ligier JS Cup France includes seven races, six in France and one on the iconic Spa-Francorchamps track. For more information on the Ligier JS Cup France, please consult our website www.ligierjscupfrance.com.
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Ligier JS2 R
True successor to the Ligier JS2 that finished second in the 1975 Le Mans 24 Hours, the Ligier JS2 R has been designed exclusively for racing. Outside, a sporty look with powerful and dynamic lines. Inside, a comfortable cockpit to accommodate tall drivers. Its aim: to offer to all enthusiasts a car for endless hours of pleasure behind the wheel, in races or on track days.
Homologated in the FIA Free Formula Sports Cars (Group E) Category, the Ligier JS2 R has aleady two 100% Ligier playing fields with the Ligier JS Cup France and the Ligier European Series organised by the teams of the European Le Mans Series. It is also eligible in 24H SERIES, Ultimate Cup Series and in multiple national championships.
For more information:
Download the brochure on https://ligierautomotive.com/en/vehicles/silhouette/js2r/ or
Contact sales@ligierautomotive.com
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Photo Credit
Underground Pictures