Silverstone Festival: Ten cars built by Ligier Automotive take to the track
From 23 to 25 August 2024, historic car enthusiasts gathered in England for the Silverstone Festival. Ten racing cars coming from the Ligier Automotive workshops were present. The father-son duo of Werner and Christophe d'Ansembourg scored a double victory in the two Masters Endurance Legends races at the wheel of their Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 for their first competition with the car. Two Ligier JS P3s win their class. The manufacturer's historic models are not about to leave the spotlight!
Ten sports-prototypes from the French manufacturer's workshops were taking part in the Silverstone Festival as part of the Masters Endurance Legends: 3 Pescarolo LMP1s,* 1 Morgan Pescarolo,* 5 Ligier JS P3s and 1 Ligier JS P217.
First competition with the Pescarolo LMP1 and first victory for the d'Ansembourg duo
On Friday August 23, the duo of Timothy de Silva and Harindra de Silva took pole position at the wheel of the #10 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 with their best time of 1:43.266.
The first 40-minute race took place on Saturday morning, August 24. Starting from fourth place, father-son duo Werner and Christophe d'Ansembourg, in their first competition with the #17 Pescarolo-Judd LMP1, won an eventful race on a damp track. They crossed the finish line four seconds ahead of the Peugeot 90X.
“We couldn't be happier. It's our first time in the car and it's my first endurance race”, said Werner. “Conditions were tricky. I was in the F1 race right before, which was very wet. So I'm lucky because my dad managed to dry the track a bit for me. So I got the easy part and from there I just pedal to the metal and see where it goes.”
“It was really the first time for us because we didn't know the car”, said Christophe. “First time on the wet, so… But I immediately felt very confident with the car and it made me push and keep the others behind. Yeah, really happy about that.”
In LMP3, it was Jon Minshaw's #133 Ligier JS P3 that led the way, winning the class by a handsome margin. It finished in the top 10 overall.
For a full summary of Race 1, CLICK HERE.
Back-to-back victory for the d'Ansembourg duo
In the second race of the Masters Endurance Legends, on Sunday August 25, the father-son duo of Werner and Christophe d'Ansembourg pulled off the feat of a one-two finish in their first competition with their car. Starting from first position, Werner d'Ansembourg took a considerable lead at the start. The second stint, however, was more difficult. Christophe d'Ansembourgh fended off attacks from the Peugeot 90X and crossed the finish line first.
“I saw that Peugeot behind, so I really had to push until the end”, said Christophe.
“It's been quite the rollercoaster between the weather changes and the car changes, we have to get used to all of that”, said Werner. “But in the end, I mean, two first positions on the podium, you can't ask for anything more. I'm so happy!”
In LMP3, the #4 Ligier JS P3 of Robertson and Tilley won the race.
For a full summary of Race 2, CLICK HERE.
For the full results, CLICK HERE.
Ligier Automotive's Classic department
The Ligier Classic department is dedicated to the restoration, maintenance and operation of historic vehicles, including Martini Automobiles**, Ligier, Pescarolo LMP1 and LMP2 and Morgan LMP2*.
Recently, this Ligier Automotive division restored two Ligier JS P2s, the first generation of Ligier LMP2. These sport-prototypes sparkled at the Gulf Historic Dubai GP Revival last December, finishing third and fifth in Race 1, then first and sixth in Race 2. These LMP2 Ligiers also took part in the Grand Prix de France Historique 2024 with IDEC Sport.
The 1973 Ligier JS2 #62 is currently being restored and should be back on the track shortly.
To find out more about the Ligier Classic department, send an email to contact@ligierautomotive.com
* The Martini Automobiles brand has been owned by Ligier Automotive since the merger between Guy Ligier and Tico Martini in the 2000s.
** All these models have been developed and operated by Ligier Automotive at some point in its history.
Photo credit: Dailysportscar / Paul Foster