Heat 3 of the Ligier European Series concluded with an exciting race at the Circuit Paul Ricard in the South of France. After its triumph in race one on Saturday 5 June, the #23 HP Racing by Monza Garage Ligier JS P4 scored a double with its success in the second race of the day. In the Ligier JS2 R category, the tension was palpable between the #53 M Racing entry and the #24 Orhès Racing car. In the end, it was the #53 getting the win and consolidating its lead in the provisional general classification of the category.
The #23 HP Racing by Monza Garage Ligier JS P4, driven by Alessandro Cicognani, started the race from pole with an extra advantage. Its Les Deux Arbres rivals, the #33 driven by Jacques Nicolet and the #34 by Nelson, started from the back of the grid after being given a penalty for not following pit lane procedures in the second qualifying session on Friday. Although they both moved up the order quickly, the #33’s efforts were spoiled by a spin that relegated it to the tail end of the field.
After 20 minutes of racing, the #34 and #33 Ligier JS P4s were respectively third and fifth overall, but far behind the #23 HP Racing by Monza Garage car. The gaps tightened after the mandatory pit stop. The #23 still led the race, followed by the #34 and the #33, which were duelling for second place. Jacques Nicolet spun again with eleven minutes remaining on the clock, while his #34 teammate suffered the same fate a few minutes later. The #23 HP Racing by Monza Garage car secured its second win of the weekend and fourth of the season, along with the fastest race lap of 2:05.016s with Jacopo Faccioni behind the wheel.
The action was more than intense in the GT category. While the #53 M Racing Ligier JS2 R driven by Natan Bihel started from pole, race one winner, the #24 Orhès Racing car with Mathieu Martins at the controls, chased it relentlessly. Ten minutes after the start, Natan Bihel ceded to the pressure and was overtaken by Mathieu Martins. Less than six-hundredths of a second separated the two. Further back, the #4 COOL Racing entry, driven by Cédric Oltramare, which started fourth, was determined to take third place from the #17 Arctic Energy car and driver Povilas Jankavicius.
In the 37th minute, the #24 Orhès Racing Ligier JS2 R received a drive-through penalty for overshooting the track limits, which it served before the pit stop window opened. The #53 from M Racing was back in the lead, followed by the #4 and the #17.
Following the mandatory pit stop, the #4 COOL Racing car was leading the category. But Natan Bihel in the #53 was decided to win this weekend. Cédric Oltramare vigorously defended first place for several laps. With 15 minutes to go and after contact with the #53, the #4 car spun and was overtaken by the #53 and the #24 Orhès Racing car, now driven by Olivier Pernaut.
Following the mandatory pit stop, the #4 COOL Racing car was leading the category. But Natan Bihel in the #53 was decided to win this weekend. Cédric Oltramare vigorously defended first place for several laps. With 15 minutes to go and after contact with the #53, the #4 car spun and was overtaken by the #53 and the #24 Orhès Racing car, now driven by Olivier Pernaut.
The #53 M Racing Ligier JS2 R suffered damage to the right rear and had to cope with the #24 again. The duel between the two teams and drivers resumed. Neck and neck, neither team wanted to budge until contact was made. Olivier Pernaut then managed to regain the advantage over Natan Bihel. Just as victory was within reach, the #24 Orhès Racing car was penalised once again with a drive-through for track limits. Despite being the first to take the chequered flag, the drive-through, which could not be served, was converted into a 30-second penalty, and the #24 was demoted to fourth place.
Natan Bihel took his fourth win in extremis in the #53 M Racing Ligier JS2 R. The #4 COOL Racing entry driven by Cédric Oltramare was again on the podium, this time in second place, while the #69 M Racing car driven by Laurent Millara finished third. The CTF Performance #95 driven by Nicolas Beraud and Fabien Delaplace was fifth. It was followed by the #25 of Orhès Racing with Alain Bucher and Ayla Agren at the controls, and the #17 of Arctic Energy driven by Sergeï Egorov and Povilas Jankavicius.
Jacopo Faccioni, HP Racing by Monza Garage, Ligier JS P4 #23, Winner Race 2 Ligier JS P4:
“We couldn’t have done better this weekend! I am very happy. In race two, Alessandro did a very good stint and handed the car over to me in first place. I just had to keep going and maintain a sufficient gap to my competitors. I hope we can improve again at Monza, especially as it’s our home track!”
Alessandro Cicognani, HP Racing by Monza Garage, Ligier JS P4 #23, Winner Race 2 Ligier JS P4:
“What a weekend! Best time in free practice, two pole positions, two wins, the fastest lap in race. I wish every weekend was like this! I hope we can do the same at Monza, on home soil!”
Natan Bihel, M Racing, Ligier JS2 R #53, Winner Race 2 Ligier JS2 R:
“In the first part of the race, Mathieu [Martins] was faster than me. I didn’t feel at ease in the car, I don’t know why. I was a bit lucky because he was given a drive-through penalty that allowed me to come out after the pit stops with a comfortable lead over Olivier [Pernaut]. I thought it would be enough but I was blocked by the #4 from COOL Racing and Olivier caught up to me. And the battle was on. He was very incisive! In the end, I won after he too received a drive-through, which allowed me to add to my lead in the provisional classification!”
The Ligier European Series will next be in action on 9 and 10 July on the legendary Monza circuit, in Italy, for Heat 4 of the season.
For the complete results from race two, CLICK HERE.
