Action Packed First Two Hours Racing in 2016

The no 32 SMP Racing BR01 Andreas Wirth went into the lead as Pierre Thiriet, in the no46 Thiriet by TDS Racing Oreca, fell back down the field from pole position.  Wirth led for half a lap and then was overtaken by the no38 G Drive Racing Gibson of Harry Tincknell who then opened up a big gap to the following pack.

Thiriet fought his way back up the field but went off the track later in race, hitting the wall and ending in retirement for the Frenchman.  This, and a separate incident when Tristen Gommendy parked the no33 Eurasia Motorsport Oreca, brought out the Full Course Yellow.

Tincknell continued to lead but Paul Loup Chatin in the no23 Panis Barthez Competition Ligier started to close the gap, setting the fastest lap of the race on lap 19.  When the driver changes came, the two cars were reversed with Fabien Barthez in the lead of the race with Simon Dolan trying to close the 15 second gap at the half way stage of the race.

In P3 the no2 United Autosports Ligier of Alex Brundle came up to the front of the class and then held onto the lead until he ended his stint to hand over the car to Michael Guasch.  The no3 United Autosports Ligier was running second behind their teammates but Mark Patterson had to pit when his left hand door wouldn’t stay closed, dropping the American down to 4^th place.

Sir Chris Hoy’s debut in LMP2 didn’t go to plan when his no25 Algarve Pro Racing Ligier got sideways and ended in the gravel at the start of Hanger Straight.  A Full Course Yellow was declared to snatch the car back on track and the Scot rejoined the race.

In LMGTE Stuart Hall pushed his way to the front of the grid in the no96 Aston Martin Racing Vantage and this began a thrilling two hour battle with his teammate Alex MacDowall for the class lead.  At the two hour point it was MacDowall who held the upperhand.