24h Le Mans
Photo : - Pierre-Yves RIOM
Pole position, fastest lap and victory ... Thiriet by TDS Racing had a perfect weekend but, contrary to appearances, the ride of the French team was not easy. Initially, Mathias Beche himself was surprised by the amazing Lola-Judd of Yelmer Buurman which kept the lead until the pit stops. Later, it was the Englishman Tom Kimber-Smith who seized command with the Zytek-Nissan #1 of Greaves Motorsport. The Zytek seemed on course to win a second consecutive year at the Circuit Paul Ricard, but the loss of bodywork after a contact - delayed the winning team of the last 24 Hours of Le Mans. At halfway, the duo Beche-Thiriet took over the head and kept it until the finish, despite mounting pressure from the drivers of Sebastien Loeb Racing.
After his early retirement in the Rally of Portugal, the WRC champion was comforted Sunday by watching his team make a brilliant debut in the competition. Yet during his first stint, Nicolas Minassian did not seem able to keep pace with the top LM P2 prototypes. However the Oreca-Nissan #19 gradually approached the leaders. Stephane Sarrazin, had a minor incident with the Norma-Judd, but the trio of Minassian, Sarrazin and Marroc finally finished second .
A few seconds behind them was the Irish team Status GP, also making promising start in endurance racing rewarded with a podium finish for the V8 Judd engined Lola B12/80 coupe. A day of disappointment for the Oak Racing team, who had to top up coolant at each stop for the Morgan-Judd. Jacques Nicolet, William Moreau and Dominik Kraihamer finished sixth, despite excellent performances on the track.
In GTE Pro, the victory was sealed in the final minutes of the race, when Jonathan Cocker managed to put the nose of his Ferrari 458 Italia ahead of Jaime Melo, also in a Ferrari.
In GTE Am, the Prospeed Competition Porsche won after a long struggle with the sister car of Imsa Performance. This is the first victory of the Belgian team in ELMS.
Finally, Curtis Racing Technology won the one-make class LM PC.
Mathias Beche, first, Oreca-Nissan # 46: " I’d like to first dedicate this win to my mother, who passed away recently. As for the race, I was a little surprised by the lights at the start. I lost first place, but was able to get it back during the second stint. We showed experience was key by being quick and consistent, while being efficient in the pits. We avoided contact with other competitors and that was one of the keys to the race. It’s a well-deserved victory against some of the biggest names in endurance racing."
Nicolas Minassian, second, Oreca-Nissan # 19: "For a debut, the team was impressive. Several improvements were made between yesterday and today :the guys were even better in the race, which isn’t easy to do in such an event. All of this puts us in a good position…even if it puts some pressure on as well : to do better, we’ll have to win ! We have the potential to do it. "
Yelmer Buurman, third, Status GP Lola-Judd # 17: “Status GP made a huge effort to be here at Paul Ricard, and this result is a good reward. At the start I made the most of a good getaway and it was a great feeling to lead. It was a hot pace and I began to struggle with tyre wear a little, but over the next two stints the car was fast and consistent. To race a prototype sportscar is great and the final result is satisfying for us all.”
Results of the 6 Hours of Castellet (PDF) : click here
Photo : CIRCUIT PAUL RICARD HTTT (LE CASTELLET), 6 HEURES DU CASTELLET, QUALIFYING, 1st APRIL 2012. The Oreca-Nissan #46 of Thiriet by TDS Racing.
