Super test session for GTE Super Season entrants
Porsches to the fore in LMGTE classes after 30 hours of testing, almost 10,000 laps and over 53,000 kilometres.
The LMGTE Pro class saw the Porsche GT Team to the fore as they placed 1-2 after the Prologue test. The running saw five highly prestigious manufacturers continue preparations for one of the most anticipated LMGTE PRO title fights in recent years.
Gianmaria Bruni, in the No.91 Porsche 911 RSR set a best of 1m51.332s on Friday evening. The Italian's lap just eclipsed Kevin Estre’s best effort in the No.92 car as the German manufacturer logged a combined 638 laps.
BMW set about endurance testing one of its all-new M8 GTE cars logging 682 laps with the No.82 car BMW Team MTEK squad making good progress as they ready for debuting at Spa next month.
With best regards from circuit Paul Ricard where we are preparing ourselves for the WEC superseason! @FIAWEC @BMWMotorsport #M8GTE #Mission8 pic.twitter.com/kKYGCZmOI0
— Philipp Eng (@Philipp_Eng) April 7, 2018
Ferrari put more miles on its updated 488 GTE Evo model but saw drama with its No.51 car when a fuel fire curtailed its test and limited running to just 64 laps. No.71 ran untroubled.
Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK ended the test third and fourth behind the Porsches, while Aston Martin conducted a pure endurance run with its no.95 car.
In LMGTE Am Porsche locked out the four fastest positions as the pair of Dempsey Proton 911 RSR’s placed first and third sandwiching the Gulf Racing entry. New entrants Team Project 1 ended fourth while fellow WEC debutants TF Sport took their Aston-Martin to fifth quickest.
The Headlines from the GTE Classes at Prologue….
• LMGTE Pro sees strongest ever field share track for first time as ten factory entries begin title campaign preparations.
• Porsche GT Team ends 30 hours 1-2 as No.91 911 RSR heads sister No.92 car
• Gianmaria Bruni sets best time of 1m51.332s as he makes first WEC appearance for German manufacturer
• Ford GTs get closest to Porsche times as No.67 and No.66 Ford Chip Ganassi entered cars are separated by just 0.1s
• BMW conduct endurance test on spectacular new M8 GTE design
• No.82 BMW Team MTEK car driven by seven factory drivers present places sixth in LMGTE Pro class
• Ferrari sees test compromised by fuel fire which damaged wiring loom on updated No.51 AF Corse 488 GTE car
• New No.95 Aston Martin Vantage sets the most individual laps of the test with 852 completed
• Dempsey Proton Porsche lead the way in LMGTE Am as Matteo Cairoli sets best class time in early morning running
• Italian peaks on 1m52.936s best with No.86 Gulf Racing Porsche second and second Dempsey Proton Porsche rounding out top three
• Teams now get set to head to Belgium for opening round of FIA WEC Super Season on May 5 - the Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
Times can be found HERE
