Ultimate Cup Series : 100% Ligier JS P320 podium at Magny-Cours
The fifth round of the Ultimate Cup Series 2024 season was held on October 11 and 12 on Ligier soil, at the Magny-Cours circuit in France. On this occasion, the Ligier JS P320s were at the forefront all weekend. Inter Europol Competition's #34, driven by Pedro Perino, Arendsen Dane and Romain Favre, took pole position and victory at the end of the 4-hour race. It was followed by the two Team Virage Ligier JS P320s, #88 (Jacek Zielona/ Raphaël Narac/ Daniel Macia) and #1 (Georgios Kolovos/ Axel Gnos/ Sacha Lehmann).
First pole position for Inter Europol Competition's #34
- The weekend kicked off with two free practice sessions on Friday, October 11. In session 1, the #34 Inter Europol Competition Ligier JS P320 (Pedro Perino/ Arendsen Dane/ Romain Favre) was second in the LMP3 class with a best lap of 1:34.971. Team Virage's #88 Ligier JS P320 was third with a time of 1:35.174.
- Later in the day, in the second free practice session, the Ligier JS P320s topped the timesheets, with Team Virage's #1 in the hands of Georgios Kolovos, Axel Gnos and Sacha Lehmann. Inter Europol Competition's #34 Ligier JS P320 finished second with a lap of 1:34.318.
- Saturday October 12 saw three hectic qualifying sessions, with numerous interruptions. In Q1, a competitor was involved in an accident, triggering the first red flag. Fortunately, the driver escaped unhurt. As the tire wall had to be repaired, the session did not resume. With less than seven minutes played, several drivers didn't have time to exploit their cars' full potential.
- In Q2, another driver was trapped in the gravel trap, interrupting the session once again.
- Despite these interruptions, the three silver drivers - Pedro Perino, Arendsen Dane and Romain Favre - at the wheel of the #34 Inter Europol Competition car managed to secure pole position in the LMP3 class with an average time of 1:34.750 over the three qualifying sessions.
First LMP3 victory for Inter Europol Competition's #34
- The start of the Magny-Cours 4 Hours race was given behind the safety car due to poor track conditions caused by rain. The race was also disrupted, again due to weather conditions, with a Safety Car 25 minutes from the chequered flag.
- Inter Europol Competition's #34 Ligier JS P320, which started from pole position, lived up to its status as one of the favourites for this fifth round, taking victory in the LMP3 class.
- Team Virage, with its Ligier JS P320 #1 and #88, achieved a fine collective result with a double podium finish. The #88 of Jacek Zielonka, Raphaël Narac and Daniel Macia came second, ahead of the #1 of Georgios Kolovos, Sacha Lehmann and Axel Gnos.
The next and final round of the Ultimate Cup Series season will take place from November 7 to 10, 2024 at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet.
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Photo credit: Inter Europol Competition