[10-10-2016]
PIERRE RAGUES AIMS TO REPLICATE PODIUM SUCCESS IN 6H FUJI
 Pierre Ragues will be aiming to add a fifth GTE-Am podium to his season results this weekend as Fuji Speedway plays host to the seventh round of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship.
Pierre is no stranger to the 4.563km Fuji track having raced there twice previously in LMP2 but this weekend’s race will be his first GT event at the circuit. The Frenchman, along with his Larbre Competition teammates, has impressed in the class this season with four podiums and a string of competitive performances to his name.
He will return to the cockpit of the #50 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R in high spirits after finishing third in the recent 6h COTA event. The Larbre Competition squad has emerged as one of the most consistent performers in class this season, regularly able to demonstrate podium pace.
The team holds fourth place in the GTE-Am Teams’ Classification on 84 points, but just 20 adrift of second place, so there’s plenty to play for in the three remaining rounds of the Championship.
Against the stunning backdrop of Mount Fuji, the 16-turn clockwise track will offer teams a new challenge this weekend. The circuit includes one of the longest main straights in motor racing, and usually offers a thrilling spectacle. Pierre wants to be in the thick of the action as one of the six teams entered into GTE-Am for this year’s 6 Hours of Fuji.
Pierre commented: “I love racing in Japan. The support we all receive from the fans is amazing, and it’s such a unique experience. I am also a big fan of the Fuji Speedway. Mount Fuji offers one of the most incredible backdrops for racing, and it adds to a wonderful atmosphere. I can’t wait to get a first taste of the Corvette on the track, especially down the main straight, and to see what we can achieve. We’ve shown we can score podiums this season, having finished four times in the top-three in the first six races. We had a good race in COTA last time out, so I want to make sure we can keep pushing in this positive direction. The podium is definitely our target but it would be nice to be in the fight for victory. Having been to Fuji before in LMP2, it will be a new experience in GTE-Am, but hopefully a memorable one for all the right reasons! As always, thanks to my personal partners Group Auto, Sparco and Ellip6 for their support.”
Schedule
Friday 14 October
10:45-12:15 Free Practice 1
15:30-17:00 Free Practice 2
Saturday 15 October
10:00-11:00 Free Practice 3
14:00-14:20 Qualifying GTE
Sunday 16 October
11:00-17:00 6 Hours of Fuji
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