French endurance ace Pierre Ragues has qualified for this weekend’s 6 Hours of Nürburgring in fifth place in the competitive LMP2 class after a solid run in the this afternoon’s qualifying session. 

 

Following a difficult start to the weekend for TEAM SARD MORAND, coupled with inclement weather conditions in Germany’s Eifel region, Ragues and his team-mates Oliver Webb and Archie Hamilton have picked up the pace as the weekend has progressed.

 

A trouble-free Friday afternoon session allowed the team to improve the set-up of the #43 Morgan Evo SARD ahead of Saturday morning practice. In warm and generally sunny conditions, it was Pierre and Oliver on qualifying duties in the all-important 20-minute session.

 

The duo enjoyed clean runs and with the qualifying result based on the average of each driver’s quickest lap, the duo’s results were good enough for a strong fifth place but in touching distance of the LMP2 cars in front. 

 

Tomorrow’s race, run over six hours, will be less based on performance over one lap, although Pierre and the team will be hoping for a clean start and a trouble-free race as they bid for a podium finish on German soil. 

Pierre said: “Following yesterday, I am pleased we have been able to find improvements with each session. After the damp start on Friday, we were able to enjoy some dry running in the afternoon and – with Oliver, Archie and myself – we were able to build some momentum. This morning’s practice session helped us find a good rhythm around this track, and I felt confident heading into qualifying. I had a good session and I am pleased we can start within reach of the front of the LMP2 class. It will be a challenging race, I am sure, but I like driving on this track and we have a great atmosphere from the crowds, so I am looking forward to a competitive race.”