The PCR Sport team’s Ligier JS2 R makes a promising debut in the Spanish Endurance Championship
The PCR Sport team's Ligier JS2 R makes a promising debut in the Spanish Endurance Championship
29 - 30 May 2021 – The Spanish Endurance Championship (CER) kicked off at the end of May on the Navarra circuit. And for the first time there was a Ligier JS2 R on the grid, #114 entered by Spanish team PCR Sport. The Ligier JS2 R that was quicker than the GT4s and TCRs finished seventh in race 1 and eighth in race 2 just behind the GT3 Ferraris and Porsche Cups: a first outing that bodes well for the rest of the season. For PCR Sport, it's just the beginning. In parallel to the CER, the team is working on an entry for the 24H SERIES beginning with Barcelona at the beginning of September.
The Ligier JS2 R, eligible in some ten championships* in Europe as well as in the Trans Am Series in the USA, had never yet competed in Spanish championships, but it was only a question of time. At the end of May, the French constructor's GT made its debut in the inaugural round of the Spanish Endurance Championship (CER). Ligier Automotive developed an engine and aerodynamic kit adapted to the original version of the Ligier JS2 R and complying with the specificities of the Spanish championship.
Driven by Juan Andujar and Francesc Gutiérrez, the organiser of the CER, the #114 PCR Sport Ligier JS2 R set the ninth-fastest time in the first free practice session (1:50.559s) out of the 32 cars entered. It improved its time in the second session cinching sixth place in 1:49.100s. “The Ligier JS2 R really surprised me, positively of course,” said Gutiérrez. “It's easy to drive and causes problems for cars in the upper categories. I think it's the ideal car to launch your racing career.”
Then it was time for qualifying in the GT-TCR category. Even if the results were not as good in the first session, the #114 Ligier JS2 R again improved its time in the second one ending up in eighth place with a lap in 1:48.138s.
The two races were held on Sunday 30th May. The #114 Ligier JS2 R continued its momentum and came home eighth in the overall classification in race 1. Later on in the day it improved this result with seventh place overall in the second heat just behind the Ferrari GT3s and Porsche Cups. The French car was quicker than all the GT4s and TCRs and set its fastest time of the weekend in 1:47.528s.
“When I tested it I realized straight away that I was at the wheel of a racing car and that immediately gave my confidence a huge boost,” explained driver Juan Andujar. It's very different to what I'm used to driving. I'm really lucky to be making my racing debut in the Ligier JS2 R. Driving it gives me great pleasure and I hope I'll be able to get the best out of it very soon.”
It was a successful first outing for the PCR Sport team that promises good results for the rest of the season. “The car's very well built and designed,” said Pep Codinach, the team's chief mechanic. “From a mechanical point of view it's easy to look after. You see straight away that it's not a series produced car, but one designed exclusively for racing. The quality – price – competitiveness ratio is fantastic, very accessible. Perfect to start out in the world of GTs.”
The Ligier JS2 R made a big impact and other teams are now thinking about entering for the championship with the Ligier. For PCR Sport it's just the start of the adventure with the Ligier JS2 R. The team's working on a programme in the 24H SERIES with the full endurance kit adaptable to the car. Watch this space!
For more information about the Spanish Endurance Championship (CER), CLICK HERE.
*European Championships for which the Ligier JS2 R is eligible: Ligier European Series, Ultimate Cup Series, 24H SERIES (with the endurance kit), Ligier JS Cup France, Endurance Tourist Trophy, French Circuits Cup, French Hill Climb Cup, Coppa Italia GT Club, Britcar Endurance Championship.
Photo credit: Joan Rodriguez