[16-06-2016]
PIERRE RAGUES TO START SIXTH ON GTE-AM GRID FOR TENTH LE MANS 24H
[Full Article]
[15-06-2016]
SOLID START FOR PIERRE AND LARBRE AS RAIN HAMPERS OPENING DAY
[Full Article]
[12-06-2016]
COUNTDOWN TO LE MANS BEGINS WITH SCRUTINEERING DAY
[Full Article]
[10-06-2016]
PIERRE RAGUES OPTIMISTIC FOR LANDMARK TENTH LE MANS 24 HOURS
[Full Article]
[05-06-2016]
STRONG LE MANS 24H TEST FOR PIERRE AS LARBRE TOPS GTE-AM TIMES
[Full Article]
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[10-06-2016]
PIERRE RAGUES OPTIMISTIC FOR LANDMARK TENTH LE MANS 24 HOURS
French endurance ace Pierre Ragues will be celebrating an impressive career landmark at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, as he marks his tenth participation in the legendary event.
Pierre is one of the most experienced racers in the 180-strong field for the 84th running of Le Mans, having taken part in his first Le Mans back in 2006. Over the years, the Caen born racer has had many highs, including an LMP2 podium in 2008 and a fourth place in the same category in 2012.
He has accumulated five top-ten finishes in class over his previous nine entries into the prestigious race, and has proven on many occasions to be a reliable pair of hands behind the wheel. This year’s event, while being his tenth Le Mans, will also be notable as his first in the competitive GTE-Am.
For 2016, a decade on from his Le Mans debut, Pierre is racing with the highly experienced Larbre Competition squad, with whom he contested the 2014 event. For Larbre, this year’s Le Mans will be their 24th participation.
Pierre will return to the cockpit of the #50 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, with which he has already scored two GTE-Am podiums this season. Taking part in the full 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), Pierre got the year off to a flying start with a top-three finish at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, followed by another podium at the 6 Hours of Spa in May.
The team had a productive session at the traditional pre-event test session on 5 June, accumulating important mileage in preparation for the 24 Hour race. Demonstrating their potential, the Larbre car finished the test day top of the GTE-Am timings with Pierre successfully re-acquainting himself with the track he knows and loves.
For Le Mans, Pierre will be joined by Yutaka Yamagishi and Jean-Philippe Belloc. Belloc replaces the injured Paolo Ruberti in the squad. The Frenchman has already had some laps in the #50 car during the Official Test to acclimatise to the Corvette around La Sarthe.
Pierre will once again be supported by his personal partners GroupAuto, Ellip6 and Sparco as he seeks to return to the Le Mans podium on such an historic occasion.
Pierre said: “To celebrate my tenth participation in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans is very special. It is the highlight of the season and each year is a great memory, but this year will be even more so. I have had some good results at Circuit de la Sarthe in my career, and some strong drives. I hope that we can achieve something fantastic in this year’s event, to mark my tenth Le Mans in style. I certainly think we have the potential to do that. It’s an honour for me to be part of the Larbre Competition team once again. We have had a competitive start to our WEC season with podiums at Silverstone and Spa, so there is positive momentum as we prepare for Le Mans. My target is the GTE-Am podium, but after topping the timesheets at the official test, who knows what we might be capable of. Speed alone is not everything at Le Mans, as we know. There are so many things that contribute to the end result and we have to remain on top form throughout the entire week. The Corvette C7.R is an incredible car, and we have great support from the team and partners, so I’m optimistic. The really special thing at Le Mans is the atmosphere from the fans, so I am looking forward to the drivers’ parade and autograph session, as much as I am excited to get back on track. It’s going to be a busy but hopefully rewarding week for the entire team. Finally, I’d like to welcome Jean-Philippe into the team for Le Mans; along with Yutaka, I am sure we’ll make a great team. Let’s get things started!”
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