French racer Pierre Ragues will be aiming to return to the podium at this weekend’s 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the penultimate round of the 2018 European Le Mans Series (ELMS).

 

Despite showing impressive speed throughout the season, Pierre and the Duqueine Engineering team have just a solitary podium result to their name so far, scored at the season-opening round at Le Castellet back in April. 

 

However, the team - piloted by Pierre, Nelson Panciatici and Nicolas Jamin - has regularly been among the front-runners with misfortune often preventing them from capitalising on their pace and potential. 

 

The Michelin-equipped #29 Oreca 07 LMP2 car has proven to be capable of fighting for the podium at each round, which gives Pierre plenty of optimism at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

 

The iconic 7.004km track, situated in the heart of the Ardennes forest in Belgium, offers a test unlike any other on the calendar. From slow speed sections like the La Source hairpin to the notorious Eau Rouge/Raidillon section, and onto famous names such as Les Combes, Pouhon and Blanchimont, Spa-Francorchamps is a driver’s dream from start to finish. One of motor racing’s finest all-round tests, it promises to offer Pierre and Duqueine Engineering the perfect opportunity to recapture some points in the championship. 

 

Pierre has shown his competitiveness around Spa before, with podiums in GTE-Am two years ago, and in LMP2 in 2015. A collective test on Wednesday will give all crews and teams the chance to hone their set-up ahead of the race weekend proper. A 40-car grid with 16 LMP2 entries will ensure there is plenty of action as the ELMS season nears its conclusion with just one more round to follow in Portimao at the end of October. 

 

Pierre commented: “Spa-Francorchamps is an absolutely incredible track and one that is truly an honour to race at. I have had success there in the past with podiums in multiple classes, and I am hopeful of adding to that with Duqueine Engineering in ELMS this weekend. We have the opportunity to carry out a test on Wednesday, which will be very helpful in preparing our Oreca 07 LMP2 car for what promises to be a competitive event. We haven’t had much luck so far this season, despite having the pace to compete at the front, so I hope Spa will be a more favourable event for our team – we’ve certainly worked hard for it. Thanks as ever to my personal partners GroupAuto, Sparco, Ellip6 and Yacco for their support, as we prepare for a strong finish to the 2018 season.” 

 

 

09:00-11:00 Testing: Session 1

13:00-16:00 Testing: Session 2

 

12:00-13:30 Free Practice 1

 

09:05-10:35 Free Practice 2

13:54 LMP2 Qualifying

 

12:30-16:30 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps