Palette-Blanchemin victorious in the night at Pau

Few observers would have bet on a victory for Michael Blanchemain and Steven Palette (Audi), during the only night event of the French Championship season FFSAGT near Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). Saturday May 18, the team duo Imsa Performance won after an unexpected comeback from 18th place!

This is the first success for the Normandy team in the discipline, as well as for the two drivers. This performance was made possible, among other things, by perilous climatic conditions. Indeed, the rain, which had deserted the Béarnais sky in the afternoon, reappeared at the starting grid.

Several drivers took the gamble of preserving slick tires, like pole sitter Alain Ferté (Alpine). Unfortunately, the Bodemer Auto team's car lacked grip on the first lap and suffered damage to the suspension following a collision. L'Alpine didn't go very far. 

La chaussée détrempée profitait aux Porsche Cayman, qui remontaient dans la hiérarchie. Ainsi, Julien Lambert prenait aisément la tête et se construisait une avance de 15 secondes. Ses efforts furent réduits à néant lorsque Romain Brandela (BMW) toucha Jean-Luc Beaubelique (Mercedes) on the main straight. 

Fortunately, both men emerged unscathed from this spectacular accident. What followed was a (very) long neutralization (Full Course Yellow, then Safety-Car), which caused frustration among the courageous spectators. You will have to wait more than half an hour to clear the wreckage! 

The green flag was waved with 12 minutes remaining. Steven Palette, then fourth (started with rain tires), carried out several rope maneuvers, until he dispossessed Am driver Nicolas Gomar of leadership three minutes from the checkered flag. 

The AGS Events team consoled itself with the second and third steps on the podium (for Lambert-Gomar and Dumaine-Carrière), but also with a quadruple in the Am category. A special mention goes to Laurent Hurgon and Julien Piguet (BMW ), started 24th and ranked fourth!

The leaders in the general classification, Pierre-Alexandre Jean and Stéphane Lemeret (Alpine, on slick tires), were sailing in the leading group until the rain increased and they fell to 13th place. They preserve their ascendancy because Grégory Guilvert and Fabien Michal (Audi) are only classified in 16th place.

Race 2 of the FFSA GT will start on Sunday May 19 at 13:42 p.m.

FFSA GT Pau 2019 results – Race 1: