[23-06-2013]
PIERRE RAGUES ENJOYS COMPETITIVE TRIPLE STINT AS LE MANS 24 HOURS MOVES INTO THE NIGHT
 Pierre Ragues has completed his first triple stint for this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours, taking to the cockpit of the Signatech-Alpine A450 as the clock approached six hours.
The Frenchman, who is taking part in his seventh Le Mans this weekend, set a competitive pace in the Michelin-shod machine despite the difficult driving conditions with light rain falling intermittently throughout the evening.
Pierre completed a trouble-free triple stint before handing over control to Nelson Panciatici as the race entered the night-time period. A further safety car period was deployed just before midnight as the Signatech-Alpine team continued their recovery following a challenging opening quarter of the race.
As of 00:30, Panciatici had just left the garage for his third stint, with the team in 37th place overall and 16th in LMP2 but making up ground as they settle into a good race rhythm.
Pierre said: “It was good to get out on track this evening and to start my contribution to the team’s race. It has been a tough start but I had a competitive triple stint and felt good even if the track conditions were difficult to master. The occasional rain conditions means that the circuit is unpredictable in places and we have had some safety car periods to deal with as well. Overall, the position we are in does not reflect our pace but I am confident that, as a team, during the night-time period, we will make more headway and gain some positions. We have a long way still to go.”
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