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[20-07-2014]
PIERRE RAGUES IMPRESSES BUT MISFORTUNE PREVENTS NEWBLOOD BY MORAND RACING FROM A PODIUM CHARGE IN AUSTRIA Photo News
French race star Pierre Ragues has impressed in his first European Le Mans Series race of 2014 as the NewBlood by Morand Racing team battled hard despite some misfortune during the 4 Hours of Red Bull Ring. The team ultimately had to settle for fifth place by the chequered flag but were in contention for an Austrian podium position during Pierre’s early stint. 
 
Pierre, whose only endurance race of the season before Austria was the Le Mans 24 Hours, adapted quickly to his new berth, the #43 Dunlop-shod Judd BMW-powered Morgan, and registered some very competitive lap times as he started from fourth on the grid. 
 
He used his race craft wisely in a closely fought battle on the opening lap of the 4.574km Red Bull Ring track and rescinded two positions at the end of the first lap but avoiding trouble. A safety car on the fourth lap brought the race quickly back under control but as soon as the safety car pitted in, Ragues was on a flyer. He set the fastest time of anyone in his stint and was regularly among the top three drivers; he carried out some magnificent overtaking manoeuvres to make his way into second place overall as he pitted at the end of his stint.
 
Unfortunately, as he was coming into the pits, the #43 came to a halt as it ran out of fuel unexpectedly and the mechanics had to wheel Ragues back to the pits. The team will look into this because the strategy indicated there should have been no problem. As Gary Hirsch took over, he rejoined the race back down in sixth place, having lost 1m20s of time. Hirsch made his way back up through the order and into the top three by the halfway mark, as he himself pitted for a scheduled stop. He rejoined in fourth but was given a 15 second stop and go penalty for speeding in the pit lane, which dropped him to fifth. Then, agonisingly, he was also given a two minute stop and go for crossing the line at the pit lane entrance. The team lost 2m26s and dropped back to sixth as Christian Klien took over with fuel and new tyres. 
 
Klien also demonstrated strong pace at the wheel of the #43 car making his way back up to fifth place – despite himself having to take a drive-through penalty for an earlier transgression while Hirsch was at the wheel. All in all, the team demonstrated strong pace and battled doggedly despite having to pit three extra times than scheduled. For Pierre, it was a positive return to ELMS action with thanks to the NewBlood by Morand Racing team, Dunlop and his own supporters Group Auto, Hohing and Sparco. 
 
Pierre said: “What a race that was! There was so much happening in the four hours that everything went by very quickly. From my point of view, there are many positive things to take away from this race. I had a good start and enjoyed my time in the car. I was comfortable and fast, setting very competitive times. I’d like to thank Sparco for their support with the EXTREMA RS-10 overalls, which gave excellent breathability in the hot conditions. We were able to make our way up into the top two by the end of my run but, as I pitted in, the car just stopped at the entrance to the pit lane. It seems that we ran out of fuel but we don’t know why since our calculations didn’t suggest we would have been on the limit. The mechanics reacted well to get us back to the pits for our scheduled change. The rest of the race was unfortunately affected by the pit lane penalties which dropped us down so fifth was all we could salvage. I have enjoyed being back in ELMS with NewBlood by Morand Racing and I’d like to thank the team, our technical partners and my own personal supporters – Group Auto, Hohing and Sparco – for their support of me this weekend. We might not have got the race result we wanted but I think we showed what we were truly capable of and I was pleased with my performance in Austria this weekend.”