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LMP3 PODIUM FOR TIM, DOUWE, and REECE!

EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIES

Prologue 

After what seemed an endless winter break, the team finally returned to European Competition in the European Le Mans Series with round 1 taking place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.

Fielding three fresh lineups in their two LMP2 entries in the “Pro” class and with the all-new Ligier JSP235 LMP3 car making its competition debut, hopes are high that the team can improve on last year’s runner-up spot in LMP2 and get back to front-running in the LMP3 class.

Things started very well throughout the official ELMS Prologue and into official practice with both LMP2 cars frequenting the top of the timesheets in most sessions, sending a message to the competition that the team had once again come to the track with extremely fast and competitive cars, with Nick and Tom in the #43 both posting fastest times in sessions, and Luca in the #34 doing the same.

In the LMP3, Tim and Douwe were joined by American team and category debutant Reece Gold. Reece immediately showed good speed running competitively through the 2 days of practice.

Qualifying 

Both LMP2 and LMP3 qualifying proved to be extremely competitive, with Tom taking the wheel of the #43 and Luca on duty on the #34, whilst Douwe made his ELMS qualifying debut in the LMP3.

Tom posted a time good enough for a P3 start, Luca a little disappointed with his P9, albeit only 1 second from pole position. Douwe also achieved a P9 starting spot.

Race

LMP3

The Teams’ all-new Ligier got off to a great start, claiming the first ELMS podium of the season and executing a great race with all 3 drivers contributing to the result.

Bronze-rated Tim Creswick, making his ELMS debut, started the car, consolidating position as he got familiar with the pace of the race before moving through the field over his mandatory double stint. As strategy and pit stops unfolded, Tim found himself leading the race at one point before bringing the car in to hand over to Douwe. The young Belgian showed pace and maturity through his stint bringing the car in to prototype debutant Reece Gold in P4.

Reece soon got down to business and looked racey and comfortable as he hunted down the Ultimate car to move into the Podium positions. Things got a little tense as a mid-race penalty of 5 seconds and a late safety car bunched the field, and in a 2-lap sprint to the flag, the American driver pulled a sufficient gap over his pursuers to take a well-earned podium by just a 2-second margin.

LMP2

High hopes and expectations for a strong start to the Championship failed to materialise despite a double points finish for the team’s pair of Oreca 07 LMP2 cars.

Coming into the race, P9 and P10 were not really where the team wanted to be, but bad luck for the #43 and high-speed contact for #34 put paid to stronger results.

After a solid start for Kuba in the #43, 8 laps were lost after a pit visit for a mechanical issue around the hour mark. The mechanics and engineers worked well to get the car back to the track, but with the time lost, the race was as good as over at that point. Nonetheless, Nick and Tom pushed as hard as possible to bring the car from the very back into P10 for a solitary point.

The #34 car was faring much better, making its way through the field and in contention when Jean-Baptiste was involved in a high-speed contact that sent the Frenchman into a lurid spin and trip through the gravel. Time was lost as the necessary pit stop ensued, dropping the car back down the field.

Handing the car to Luca to finish the race showed what the car always had the potential to do, setting the fastest race lap on the way to a P9 finish.

Michelin Le Mans Cup, Barcelona

Saturday saw round one of the Michelin Le Mans Cup, with the team fielding a single LigierJS-P325 Toyota for Garett Grist and Aristotle Balogh in the Pro/Am category.

In typical Michelin Le Mans Cup style, the race was eventful to say the least, with safety cars and red flags interrupting the 2-hour race. The #34 crew was not devoid of troubles with contact and battles on their way to an eventual P11 finish and will be hoping for better fortunes next time out in Paul Ricard.

What’s up next for Inter Europol Competition in April

With the IMSA round in Long Beach being run without the LMP2 category, the team has a weekend off from the American Competition.

The European Season, however, is in full swing now with the second round of the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup taking place from 2-4th May in Le Castellet, France. The team is back in Warsaw, preparing the cars after the adventure in Barcelona.

The Team will be on the hunt for more LMP3 success and, after the disappointing LMP2 results, aims to bounce back with both cars to maintain a push for the Championship.

Provisional schedule*
Friday
09:50 – 10:50 LMC FP1
11:50 – 13:20 ELMS FP1
14:55 – 15:35 LMC Bronze test
18:00 – 19:00 LMC FP2

Saturday
10:10 – 11:40 ELMS FP2
12:55 – 13:10 LMC LMP3 qualifying
15:05 – 16:10 ELMS LMP2 & LMP3 qualifying
17:50 – 19:40 LMC Race**

Sunday
09:40 – 10:10 Autograph session
11:30 – 15:30 ELMS 4hLeCastellet Race**
 
*All times are CET and are subject to change.
**Races are available live and for free on YouTube (no geo-locks) and Audio through ELMS live timing.