A great second place for the Thiriet by TDS Racing team!

For the first time in its history, the Thiriet by TDS Racing team started the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a brand new car. Indeed, the team received its Ligier JS P2 three weeks ago. The team quickly got used to it because Tristan Gommendy set the fastest lap on Thursday night at the qualifying practice session (3'37''609). It is the fastest lap time in LM P2 in Le Mans history. Pierre Thiriet also did the same on Saturday morning when he set the fastest lap during the warm up. 

On Saturday, Tristan was in charge of the start and quickly set the car in the second place. After a double stint, Ludovic Badey took over the car and had to face two consecutive violent storms. He demonstrated all his skills in order not to be trapped as many other cars did. After the storms, Pierre Thiriet took over the car and succeeded in keeping the car in the first places. 

Throughout the evening and the night, the three men did not have any problems and the car always stayed among the first five places. In the morning, the car was second when the leader of the category had some technical issues. At 10 o'clock, the #46 Ligier JS P2 of the Thiriet by TDS Racing team was leading the race! But the happiness was short-lived because, one hour later, the car had a technical issue with the front suspension. Thanks to the quick intervention of the mechanics, the repairs only lasted five minutes and it allowed the car to secure the second position of the race when back on the track.

Sunddenly, bad luck fell upon the Thiriet by TDS Racing team because after the first problem, the team had to face two punctures, an electrical issue and a clutch problem. The whole team wanted to stay on the podium and Pierre Thiriet, Ludovic Badey and Tristan Gommendy finished in an amazing second place in LM P2 category less than 30 seconds ahead the winner. The team also finished 6th overall! 

During the 24 Hours of Le Mans week, the team has showed it was able to start a major project because receiving the car only three weeks before the Scrutineering was not easy. The team had to discover the car and understand how it works. To start with such a car on a long distance race as the 24 Hours of Le Mans could be perceived as a daring bet at the beginning. Who would have bet on such a choice before the start? TheThiriet by TDS Racing team has proved its great capacities after having a tremendous week through its results, the reliability and its level of performance.  Now, the Thiriet by TDS Racing team can be considered as a favourite for the next European Le Mans Series round on the Red Bull Ring circuit (Austria) on 19th and 20th July. 

Pierre ThirieThe weekend was very positive even if, when you are a competitor and you have the opportunity to win, you are always disappointed to finish second. Even though, our main target is fully achieved. It is very positive for Onroak Automotive, the whole team and the drivers.”t: “ 

Ludovic Badey : “This race is a high satisfaction for the whole team and the drivers. We have achieved something that only few people were expecting from us: to arrive with a new car and be on the podium! It took away my big disappointment from last year. It is a race I had many difficulties to forget. I am happy to be able to wipe this disappointment. During my first stint, it was raining so much and I was with slick tyres. I saw the images from last year again. This race has not been easy but I am really happy with the result.” 

Tristan Gommendy: “A very positive weekend, of course! We set the pole position on Thursday which was already a good result. During the race, we had only few issues. We missed the victory for less than 30 seconds but we don't have to have any regrets. We did all we could, we had no particular idea about the real performance of the car before the race. We can be satisfied with this result.

As for me, I have always had difficulties to accept the second places. The 24 Hours of Le Mans has proved once again it was a great human adventure. What I will keep in mind from this race is all the work we did, all the human aspect and the self sacrifice. From a sporting point of view, I am disappointed but from the human perspective, I am very happy to share these moments with Ludovic, Pierre and the whole TDS Racing staff. It is a good result for Onroak Automotive, the whole team and for me as well.”