Ultimate Cup Series, Hockenheim: third consecutive victory for Team Virage and the Ligier JS P320
The third round of the 2024 Ultimate Cup Series season took place from July 5 to 7 at Hockenheim. For the third consecutive time, Team Virage won the LMP3 class. The Polish team won the race with the #1 Ligier JS P320 driven by Georgios Kolovos, Sacha Lehmann and Alex Gnos. They even scored a one-two finish with the #88 of Jacek Zielonka, Raphael Narac and Daniel Macia.
Five Ligier JS P320s took part in the race weekend at Hockenheim, Germany, as part of the European Endurance Prototype Cup.
The weekend got off to a good start for Team Virage, which dominated the first free practice session with the two Ligier JS P320s #1 and #88. Another Ligier JS P320, the #24 of TS Corse, topped the LMP3 class in the second free practice session with a lap of 1:36.551.
Qualifying did not go according to plan for Team Virage. On Saturday, Georgios Kolovos, Sacha Lehmann and Alex Gnos were reduced to spectators. An engine problem prevented the Portimão winners from taking part in the session. As a matter of urgency, the Polish team brought in a new engine, and Pierre Rouen's men work through the night to install it and be ready to start the race on Sunday.
Team Virage's #88 Ligier JS P320 completed two excellent qualifying sessions, taking pole position thanks to the consistency of Raphael Narac, Jacek Zielonka and Daniel Macia. The #84 ANS Motorsport Ligier JS P320 (Julien Lemoine, Clément Moreno) came third in LMP3 and first in AM.
On Sunday, Team Virage's #1 Ligier JS P320 and Georgios Kolovos starting from the twentieth position got off to a very good start. The Greek driver moved up to the front of the class, before handing over to Axel Gnos. The Swiss driver took his car to first place in the LMP3 class. Fast and diligent, Sacha Lehmann, third driver to compete, rounded off the weekend in style, crossing the chequered flag in the lead. A fine reward for the whole team. Team Virage also scored a one-two finish. The #88 Ligier JS P320 of Jacek Zielonka, Raphael Narac and Daniel Macia finished 17 seconds behind its sister car. Team Virage remains unbeaten in LMP3 this season.
Julien Lemoine, driving the #84 ANS Motorsport Ligier JS P320, got off to a splendid start, surfing into the lead in the opening minutes of the race. Unfortunately, an off-track excursion at Turn 17 caused him to lose several laps on his rivals. Julien Lemoine and Clément Moreno finished fifth in the LMP3 class.
The next round of the Ultimate Cup Series takes place at Mugello from September 5 to 8.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Ligier JS P320.
For more information on the championship, CLICK HERE
Photo credit : Jazz Vian