Press Release – 12 October 2023
The 2023 season draws to a close in a few days at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in sunny Portugal. Team Virage and Mihnea Stefan were crowned JS P4 Champions in the previous round at Spa, but everything is still to play for in the JS2 R category. Who, between ANS Motorsport with Julien Lemoine or LR Motorsport with David Rodorigo, will leave the Algarve with the title?
JS P4 category: Duel between Team Virage and LR Motorsport for the title of Vice-Champion
Team Virage and Mihnea Stefan (#48 Ligier JS P4) secured the title with victory and third place in the Spa Heat. Could the Polish team do even better and clinch the runner-up spot with George King and Bernardo Pinheiro at the wheel of the #60? With victory in race two at Spa and 124 points in the championship, it looks like a safe bet. But they must be careful not to declare victory too quickly, as the Italian LR Motorsport team is determined to battle to the end with the #7 of Simone Riccitelli and Jacopo Mazza. The Italians have 109 points and can still pip Team Virage for second place in the championship.
Other teams are also ready to make their move: RLR MSport with the #75 of Haytham Qarajouli and Ian Aguilera (98 points), plus Team Virage with its third car, the #1 with its AM crew of Lance Fenton and Kevin Madsen (87 points). All eyes will be on second and third place in the championship!
The PRO-AM and AM class titles have been decided. The #50 Ligier JS P4 of Les Deux Arbres with Steve Zacchia and Louis Rossi has won the PRO-AM class. Team Virage reaffirmed its dominance in the AM class, with the title for the #1 of Lance Fenton and Kevin Madsen.
JS2 R category: Who will triumph in GT, ANS Motorsport or LR Motorsport?
The final showdown will be intense in the JS2 R category. Will the title be won by ANS Motorsport, with Julien Lemoine’s #42 Ligier JS2 R with 186 points? Or will LR Motorsport and David Rodorigo in the #43 (149 points) come back stronger than ever? Nothing is yet determined. There is also Les Deux Arbres and the #86 driven by Jacques Nicolet, third on 119 points. A battle between the two leading cars could greatly benefit the #86 as it looks to make up ground in the general classification.
The British team RLR MSport, with the #10 of Simon Butler / Maximus Mayer, clinched the PRO-AM class title at Spa-Francorchamps. As is the case in the general classification, the battle for the AM title will be an intense affair in Portimão among ANS Motorsport (#42, 186 points), Les Deux Arbres (#86, 138 points) and LR Motorsport (#43, 130 points).
One thing is for certain, some superb on-track duels are in store for the championship season finale.
A look at the new entries
Georgios-Periklis Kolovos and Kaitatzis Panagiotis will return for the season finale. After participating in the Barcelona and Aragon rounds, the Greek duo will be back in the #4 HPRacing by Monza Garage Ligier JS P4. In the JS2 R category, Martin Rich replaces Simon Butler and will team with Maximus Mayer in the #10 of RLR MSport. Lastly, Laurent Millara will return to the Ligier European Series aboard the #29 Pegasus Racing Ligier JS2 R.
The weekend kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, 19 October, with free practice 1. The second session will follow on Friday, 20 October at 9 a.m., followed by the two 15-minute qualifying sessions at 12:20 and 12:45 p.m. The two one-hour races will follow at 10:20 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, 21 October. Both races will be streamed live on the Ligier European Series YouTube channel and Facebook page.
To view the complete entry list, CLICK HERE.
To view the complete programme, CLICK HERE.
