TTE, Magny-Cours: A one-two finish for the Ligier JS2 R
The opening round of the 2024 Trophée Tourisme Endurance (TTE) took place on the Nevers Magny-Cours circuit from 5 to 7 April 2024. The TTE Pirelli Series race weekend ended with the OF COURSE Compétition and Extrême Limite teams prevailing, having won last year's overall standings and the Ligier JS2 R Trophy respectively.
Seduced by the work of Ligier Automotive, several championship competitors have changed their cars: in 2024, the number of JS2 R on track has tripled compared to 2023. Eight Ligier JS2 Rs are entered in the TTE Pirelli Series for the start of the season.
The first two lines of the starting grid 100% Ligier JS2 R
On the morning of Sunday April 7, the Ligier teams took the top four places in qualifying for the TTE Pirelli Series. The #99 OF COURSE Compétition driven by Alexis Anthony, Manuel Roeckel-Zimpfer and Jean-Christophe David clinched pole position, ahead of the #64 Extrême Limite (Marc Bonnet / Benjamin Redais), the #14 LEMAL Racing (Olivier Lemaire / Maxence Alves-Conde / Frédéric Alves) and the #88 JML Sport (Antoine Delomez / Florent Tafani).
In the afternoon, it was time for the race. The #127 Duc Racing Ligier JS2 R (Romain and Vincent Duqueine), the #880 TM Evolution Ligier JS2 R (Guillaume Perraud / Jean Laget) and the #503 Bailly Sport Ligier JS2 R (Benoit Bailly) finished second, third and fourth respectively in the TTE Pirelli Light (the one-hour race which takes place within the four-hour TTE Pirelli Series race).
TTE Pirelli Series: the Ligier JS2 Rs finished on top.
In the TTE Pirelli Series, the four hours of racing offer a new episode in the duel that pitted the #99 OF COURSE Compétition Ligier JS2 R against the #64 of Extrême Limite in 2023. Starting in that order from the front row, they held their positions for the first hour, with a narrow gap punctuated by Safety Car interventions and pit stops, before the #64 took the lead.
The #88 JML Sport Ligier JS2 R got into the fight and even took the lead. But a mechanical problem interrupted its fine performance with half an hour to go. The Safety Car caused by this retirement allowed the #99 to catch up with the #64.
In the final sprint, the two Ligiers were separated by just a few tenths when a mistake by the leader gave the lead to the #99. The #64 nonetheless retained second place. Two other Ligier JS2 R cars featured in the top 10 overall. Fourth, the #14 of LEMAL Racing completed the podium in the Ligier JS2 R Trophy, while the #135 of HMC Racing (Xavier Cousin / Eric Mary) finished seventh.
The next round of the TTE Pirelli Series will take place on 3 and 4 May 3 at the Lédenon circuit.
For more information on the Ligier JS2 R, CLICK HERE.
For full results, CLICK HERE.
For more information on the TTE Pirelli Series and the Ligier JS2 R Trophy, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit: Alexia Ortega