Ultimate Cup Series, Le Castellet: First pole position and first 100% Ligier JS P320 podium
The opening round of the Ultimate Cup Series 2024 took place from 15 to 17 March 2024 at the Circuit Paul Ricard. Eight Ligier JS P320s were entered and the teams shone under the Castellet sun with pole position for the #87 COOL Racing Ligier JS P320 and an all-Ligier JS P320 podium in the LMP3 category.
The season got off to an excellent start for the #87 COOL Racing Ligier JS P320 which, after showing good top speed during free practice, followed up with its first pole of the season. The team, comprising Ligier European Series regular Cédric Oltramare and Adrien Closmenil, posted the best average time of the three qualifying sessions in 1:56.775.
At the end of a fast-paced four-hour race punctuated by various incidents, the #88 Team Virage Ligier JS P320 won the LMP3 class and finished third overall. In their first appearance together, and following an excellent second half of the race, the trio of Raphael Narac, Jacek Zielonka and Daniel Macia made the most of their first weekend of racing. “It's incredible to start our Endurance adventure like this. We were all novices behind the wheel of this car. Starting with a win is the best way to kick-start our season”, says a delighted Daniel Marcia.
The podium in the LMP3 category was completed by two other Ligier JS P320s: the #34 of Inter Europol Competition (Alexander Bukhantsov / Pedro Periono / Tim Creswick), followed by the #77 of RLR Msport (Ian Aguilera / James Dayson), which avoided the pitfalls at the start and managed their pitstops to take a podium finish.
The COOL Racing polemen crossed the finish line fifth in the LMP3 class, but showed great speed throughout the weekend, setting the fastest lap of the race (1:57.276) in addition to their pole position.
The next round of the European Endurance Prototype Cup will take place from May 24-26 in Portimão.
For more information on the Ligier JS P320, CLICK HERE.
For full results, please CLICK HERE.
Photo credit: Davy Delien