With qualifying complete for the 84th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, three Kiwi drivers competing in the LM Gran Touring Endurance Professional (LM GTE Pro) class are well placed on the grid for the start of the iconic race on Saturday at 15:00 hrs local time.
Fastest in the LMGTE Pro category was the #68 Ford GT of Joey HAND/Dirk MÜLLER/Sébastien BOURDAIS (3:51.185) who will start 28th on the grid. Kiwi Indycar driver Scott Dixon #69 Ford GT will start 29th with team mate Richard Westbrook at the wheel (3:51.497).
Fellow Kiwi Earl Bamber’s #92 Porsche 911 RSR (3:54.918) will start 35th with Richie Stanaway’s #97 Aston Martin Vantage starting 38th (3:55.497)
Other qualifying in the minor categories
Aston Martin Racing’s No.98 V8 Vantage of Pedro Lamy upheld the WEC’s honour in the LMGTE Am category, second in class behind the Clearwater Racing Ferrari. One of the few changes in the order came in this class in this evening’s second qualifying session, with Pat Long moving the No.88 Abu-Dhabi Proton Racing Porsche into third place.
Rebellion Racing’s Dominik Kraihamer claimed the fastest time of the LMP1 Private Team entries in the No.13 R-One AER, ahead of the sister car and the No.4 ByKolles which is now repaired after its fire yesterday.
The FIA WEC cars proved to be the ones to beat in LMP2, with René Rast setting the pace in the No.26 G-Drive Racing ORECA 05 Nissan. His best lap of 3:36.605 put him ahead of the two Alpines of Baxi DC Racing (Nelson Panciatici) and Signatech Alpine (Nicolas Lapierre) with, fourth in class on its debut at Le Mans, was the No.44 Manor ORECA of Roberto Merhi.
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