4H Endurance GT / Tourism: The GTs put on a show at Le Castellet!

During the qualifying session on Saturday afternoon, we found the forces present in this 2013 championship, but also new high-performance GTs, like the Ferrari F458 GT3 of JMB Racing and the Chevrolet Corvette of Nigel Greensall, second and third respectively in these qualifications. The #2 Ferrari Visiom, tied for the lead in the championship with the Porsche n°25, only achieved the 7th time, and the Porsche IMSA Performance Matmut (3rd in the championship) 6th time. A performance which, however, was of little importance before the start of a 4-hour endurance test. The beautiful Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 from G-Private Racing did not go unnoticed in this peloton, it set the 8th fastest time. The best time in GTV 2 was set by the No. 10 Mosler from the Escuela Espanola de Pilotos team. In GTV 3 it was the Porsche 997 Cup n°6 from RMS which set the best time in the category, but behind the two Solution F silhouettes. The session was also marked by the fire of the team?s other Mosler Escuela Espanola de Pilotos, number 13 which was heavily damaged despite the intervention of the fire department.

This Sunday afternoon, the GTs closed a magnificent weekend of racing at Le Castellet. We have already been able to see the cars driving during free and timed practice, but when the GT pack comes together for the rolling start, it is a superb spectacle which is offered to all motorsport fans. First lap without incident for all competitors. The #25 Porsche retains the lead, followed by the #007 from Porsche Lorient Racing; Frédéric Ancel is at the wheel, and as usual makes a breathtaking start to the race. In 3rd place the #99 JMB Racing Ferrari. Greensall's No. 102 Corvette picks up its pace and attacks to return to 3rd position after 20 minutes of racing. The #99 Ferrari also attacked the Crubilé Sport Porsche and Misslin took the lead of the race. Frédéric Ancel has calmed things down, he is now 4th but is being passed by the #458 F2 which is keen to join the race lead without delay.
After the premiere? hour, the Mosler n°10 is at the head of its GTV 2 category (10th overall) just ahead of the Audi R8 LMS of Teneketzian (11th overall). In GTV3, the No. 67 Porsche of Champeau is 1st, ahead of the No. 34 of Martins and the No. 56 of Nicolaidis.
We are approaching race time and there is alert on the side of the #2 Ferrari. A collision with the #9 Ginetta caused him to lose two places, but everything seemed fine mechanically.
We continue with the first entries into the stands and the fuel refills. The No. 25 takes the opportunity to get back into the lead, but will also have to make its stop. A few minutes later, the 007 is in the lead, it then leaves the leading position to the No. 30 Mercedes SLS. We are witnessing the same crossover within all categories, GT or Tourism. The No. 17 Porsche of Paul and Patrice Lafargue was once again unlucky. She arrives in front of her box and there is smoke coming from the back. For the Ruffier Racing 911, it's another retirement despite good performances and the 5th time obtained in qualifying.
During the second hour, and before a new series of pit stops, the leading trio is made up of Collard (Porsche Crubilé no. 25), Perrier (Ferrari Visiom no. 2) and Belloc (Porsche IMSA no. 53). In GTV 2, the No. 10 Mosler of Lorena is in the lead, followed by the No. 63 Porsche of Polette and the No. 46 Audi of Chaix. In GTV 3, the No. 67 Porsche of Alloin is in the lead, followed by the No. 34 Porsche of Mario Martins, and the No. 62 Porsche of Thevenot.
Gradually, the #25 and #53 Porsches break away to organize their face-to-face encounter. The Porsche Crubilé Sport refuels, and at IMSA we take the opportunity to set the best time in the race; The battle is going to be tough! The Rouen team will even manage to refuel and maintain the lead ahead of the No. 25. In third place, we find the F458 GT2 from the Visiom team. We remain in this configuration as the final hour approaches. Alert on the side of the n°25 which during its pit stop must refill oil. The leaders on the No. 53 stop in turn, before attacking the final phase of this round at Paul Ricard. We thus find Pascal Gibon on the No. 53 Porsche, leading the race with a 1:10:132 lead over the No. 25 Porsche, driven by François Perrodo. The #99 Ferrari and the #007 Porsche are still in the top 5.
Less than one left? hour of the race, the No. 53 is still in the lead, but must still return to the pits one last time. Same thing for the #2 Ferrari in third position. Everyone is hanging at this last stop to know what the final podium of this race will be. The fateful moment arrives and the Porsche IMSA manages to stay ahead at the exit of the pit lane. Less than 2 seconds between Gibon and Perrodo, but the latter will not be able to get the No. 53 Porsche which therefore signs a magnificent victory on this Paul Ricard circuit. The #458 Visiom F2 GT2 also managed to maintain its third place on the podium.

In GTV 2, it is ultimately the #8 Audi R46 LMS from AB Sport Auto which is on the top step, ahead of the #63 from Porsche Lorient Racing (Polette/Neyrial) and the #10 Mosler from Lorena/Clucas.
Reassuring news for Ben Clucas after his discomfort when leaving the car during the last change of drivers. The latter having been medically treated after leaving the car following physical exhaustion and a lack of oxygen, and transported to the circuit medical center.

In GTV 3, Porsche Alméras obtained first place with the No. 67 from Alloin/Champeau. 2nd? Porsche RMS n°56. 3rd? Porsche Team Sport 5 n°34.

In the S1 silhouette category, the SF V8 Yacouba of Charriol/Carugati got the better of the second Solution F car driven by Pourquie/Gasperini.

See you in Dijon on June 28, 29 and 30 for the continuation of this exciting V de V GT/Tourism championship Endurance Series.