Stroke of bad luck for the Thiriet by TDS Racing team!

Everything started well. After good free practice sessions in which the car always had one of the first three places, Tristan Gommendy set the seventh quickest time during the qualifying session. 

Pierre Thiriet, in charge of the start, took a safe start and did not lose his position in the first corner. All throughout his stint, he struggled with constantly degrading tyres but that did not prevent him from narrowing the gap with the leading cars. Pierre felt at ease, was quick and caught up to the 5th place. Unfortunately, after 40 minutes, he had a puncture which cost him a bit of time. 

Once the tyre changed, Ludovic Badey took on the wheel. He did three amazing stints in which he set very quick laps. Even better, he was able to set the fastest race lap and kept it for a large part of the race. Yet, in his second stint, he also had to face tyre problems and to come back to the pits. After the repairs, he was still among the first six cars and he even gained one position. 

However, approaching the Signes corner, Ludovic thought he experienced the same issue and came back to the pit. He handed over to Tristan Gommendy. But he only could notice the problem was still present, which forced him to go back to the pit. The verdict was simple: a broken gearbox housing, the car had to retire. 

Once again, the team has shown its efficiency and the drivers were beyond any reproaches throughout the weekend. Technical issues independent from the team came to fade the result. After a lacklustre qualifying session, the performance was there but the mechanics decided otherwise. 

Now, the finale of the European Le Mans Series will take place in Portugal, on the Estoril track, next 18th and 19th October! 

Ludovic Badey: “During my stint, I was feeling good in the car. With my first set of tyres, everything went well but with the second one, I felt some vibrations in the straight lines. But I could keep going. On the last laps, the carcass of the tyre exploded and I went back to the pit without losing too much time. I didn't damage the car, we changed the tyre and I went back on the track. Then, I did not have any more problems in my third stint. But, during the two laps, I was doubtful. Then, it happened again in Signes and, in some other corners, I lost control of the car. I went back to the pits but I was feeling it was not the same problem as the first time. The mechanics did not find anything wrong on the tyre but found a problem of suspension.

From a personal point of view, I did some good stints. I had the fastest lap during the race, which proves performance was there. Now, I am disappointed for the team and the championship because we have given up all our title chances! »