Season Review with James Allen (n°40 Graff Oreca 07)

James and Graff ended the season on a high note with two wins at Spa-Francorchamps and Portimão. We have met James that told us about his first season in ELMS. 

Can you tell us a bit about your 2017 season?

That was definitely a better season than I expected. We had a few technical issues at Monza and also at Paul Ricard. We also had some good results with a win at Spa-Francorchamps and another one at Portimão for the last one of the season but also a fourth place at Silverstone on my ELMS debut, which was really good for me. Le Mans was also great, with a fifth position in class and sixth overall.

Best moments of your 2017 season:

• Spa when I took over the race lead, that was definitely a special moment
• The fight I had with Nigel Moore at Silverstone was also really good
• My first stint at Paul Ricard when I managed to get up a few positions to end up fifth at the end of my drive

ELMS in 3 words:

Fast, competitive and busy (it’s been a big field and a busy championship all season)

What are your plans for 2018?

I think the same again, I will be with Graff for the whole ELMS season and at Le Mans as well.

James’s best performances of the season:

The tracks at Paul Ricard and Spa-Francorchamps were where James Allen was the quickest of the season, with a fifth place in the classification by driver’s fastest lap.  He set a 1:56.015 lap in France and a 2:05.99 lap in Belgium.