[31-05-2017]
COUNTDOWN TO 24 HOURS LE MANS BEGINS WITH OFFICIAL TEST DAY
 The countdown is on for one of motorsport’s biggest events of the season – the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will take place over Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June.
This year’s running of the prestigious event, held at Circuit de la Sarthe in France, will be the 11th participation for French race ace Pierre Ragues. Having contested the event previously in LMP1, LMP2 and GTE-Am classes, Ragues is one of the most experienced drivers on the 180-strong driver line-up for this year’s race. It is also something of a home event for Ragues, located 75 minutes from his hometown of Caen.
Even with that vast amount of experience, the official test day, which takes place this coming Sunday, will offer a valuable opportunity for all teams and drivers to prepare for the legendary event. Pierre has also spent valuable time in the Ellip6 simulator, which will no doubt be an added benefit.
Ragues is re-joining the competitive LMP2 class for this year’s 85th running of Le Mans, lining up as part of the Signatech Alpine Matmut squad, who won the event’s LMP2 class just twelve months ago with the #36 car.
Alongside team-mates Nelson Panciatici and André Negrão, Ragues will race the #35 Alpine A470 at this year’s Le Mans, which will represent his second endurance race of the 2017 season.
The trio fought hard to sixth place in the 6 Hours of Spa in May, showing encouraging pace, which bodes well for Le Mans. They will be looking to complete plenty of laps this Sunday with two four-hour sessions held on the 13.6km Circuit de la Sarthe track.
It will be the only chance for all sixty participating teams across all four classes can take to the track’s public roads ahead of race week itself. It will be a valuable opportunity to set baseline car set-up, carry out tyre evaluation, and the drivers themselves to stretch their legs around one of the world’s most famous courses.
Pierre has already tasted podium success at the track, back in 2008 when he finished third in LMP2. He finished a close fourth in class during the 2012 event and the Frenchman has amassed six top-tens in class over his previous ten entries.
Pierre said: “The month of June always seems to come round so quickly, but it’s a time of the year I always look forward to – it’s Le Mans time again! After our first WEC race of the season earlier in May, at Spa, I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of our #35 Alpine A470 at this Sunday’s official test. You can never get enough track time when it comes to Le Mans. Our top priority will be on finding a good balance with the car and Dunlop tyres around the track, but it’s just about finding those limits again, and reminding you why it’s one of the most famous tracks and events in the world. Nelson, André and myself gelled really well at Spa, and I feel at home in the Signatech Alpine Matmut team. As reigning LMP2 winners at Le Mans, the pressure is on the team to deliver again. I’m ready for that challenge and honoured to represent the Alpine name on the world stage. The test day will be the first important step on what I hope will be a successful journey.”
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