French race ace Pierre Ragues will get preparations for his ninth 24 Hours of Le Mans underway at the official test day for this year’s event, which takes place at Circuit de la Sarthe this Sunday, 31st May.

 

Ragues will line up alongside his team-mates Oliver Webb and Zoel Amberg for TEAM SARD Morand, taking to the cockpit of the #43 Morgan Evo SARDs, equipped with Dunlop tyres.

 

The team had a stuttered start to its 2015 season after a promising test at the Prologue back in March, but made their race debut at the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), which took place at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium earlier this month.

 

It was a stellar debut for the team, and for Pierre, with a fine run to third place in LMP2, scoring a podium finish with the big event – Le Mans – next up. This weekend’s official test day will allow the team to work on their baseline settings and car balance around the 13.629km Circuit de la Sarthe track ahead of the official timed sessions in mid-June.

 

All 56 entrants into this year’s 83rd running of the Le Mans spectacle will join the test, allowing for an initial comparison of performance levels, which will act as a tantalising teaser for the main event which runs 13-14 June.

 

As Pierre prepares for an incredible ninth participation in this prestigious event, his experience will undoubtedly prove beneficial to TEAM SARD Morand as they build on the impressive performance from Spa with support from their title sponsors Franck Muller. Pierre will be supported by Drivista.com - an e-commerce subsidiary of his long-term partners Group Auto - as well as racewear specialists Sparco. 

 

Pierre commented: “I am looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the Morgan Evo Sard and beginning our preparations for this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. It is always a highlight of the season for me, personally, and for the many endurance fans around the world. I can’t wait to see what our car can do around the magnificent Circuit de la Sarthe. This is my ninth attempt at Le Mans, where I have had many highlights and special memories including a class podium, and I am confident we can do well. This test will be an important first opportunity to work on the car but we have a lot of track time before the race so we will work carefully to make sure we cover all bases. I am thankful to the team for this opportunity, and to my personal partners Group Auto – through Drivista.com – and Sparco. Let’s get Le Mans 2015 underway!”