24h Le Mans
The second Porsche Sprint Challenge France race and the first of two rounds in the Ford Mustang Challenge entertained the fans eager for track action this morning. This afternoon, the public is invited to stroll, run, cycle, roller-skate or ride a kick scooter around the famous circuit.
Perfect weather greeted the competitors lining up for the second 45-minute Porsche Sprint Challenge race. This time, Martinet by Almeras driver Enzo Joulié (#97 Porsche 911 Type 992 GT3 Cup) was in pole positiion after yesterday’s second qualifying session. Alongside him was the mighty Victor Blugeon (#74 Porsche, ABM), winner of race 1 yesterday, followed by Karl Vandewoestine (#45 Porsche, 2B Autosport).
Blugeon shot out of the starting blocks and snatched the lead from the off. However, the racers had not even completed their first lap when the safety car interrupted the fun owing to an incident in the Dunlop Chicane. When the track returned to green, Blugeon managed to hold on to the advantage gained over Joulié, but anything was still possible, especially with the experienced Sylvain Noël of Racing Technology (#111 Porsche), who competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 2001, in the hunt. A fierce battle ensued over the following laps, but the race leader was in hot form.
As expected, Blugeon took the chequered flag over six seconds ahead of Vandewoestine and Joulié. The winner has increased his lead at the top of the championship standings, as has Lucas Glinche (#72 Porsche GT4 RS Clubsport, Glinche Racing), who has dominated every session this week in the GT4 RS class.
Cameron McLeod (#92, Ryan McLeod Racing Cars) had the advantage of heading the 39-strong Mustang Dark Horse R posse when the greenn flag signalled the start of the 45-minute race. He held rank, refusing to yield to Sam Paley (#26, Paley Motorsport). Tthe two drivers attempted to open up a gap over their closest rivals but the chasing pack organised a fight-back. Marco Signoretti (#97) and Matt Nicoll-Jones (#62) from Academy Motorsport worked together, bump drafting to create a slipstream and find top speed down the Mulsanne Straight.
Gaps began to open up at the front after 15 minutes of racing, at the start of the fourth lap. McLeod now held a full four-second lead over Paley. Further down the field, around eighth place, it was a much closer affair: Alex Bachoura (#33 Spark Performance) led Robert Noaker (#13 Robert Noaker Racing) and Nathan Vanspringel (#95 TeamFloral). Noaker got the bit between his teeth and shook up the order. Despite being regularly quickest in practice, Noaker had seen his qualifying times wiped out due to a splitter height infringement. Starting at the rear of the grid in 39th place, he galloped through the field to climb the standings: 19th after one lap, 13th after three and eighth at the start of the fifth! His cavalcade finally ended in sixth place.
Behind the untouchable McLeod, followed by Paley, Signoretti and Nicoll-Jones – albeit teammates – engaged in a battle for the third spot on the podium. Nicoll-Jones crept up on his Academy Motorsport buddy before Indianapolis and overtook with authority. A masterstroke in one of the quickest parts of the circuit. Was that going to be enough? No! Signoretti refused to give in. The pair rubbed door handles as they sped through the series of turns at a breathtaking pace, producing lap times that were faster than McLeod’s. Unfortunately, David Wall (#38 Wall Racing) went off at the Karting turn and the red flags were brought out, putting a damper on the thrilling tussle.. McLeod was crowned winner ahead of Paley and Signoretti.
In 19th place was none other than Ford CEO Jim Farley, who had come over from the USA to induulge in the pleasure of racing a Mustang on the full 13.6-km Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans.
