after encouraging Le Mans Test Day
The #17 Pescarolo 01-Judd of Harold Primat, Christophe Tinseau and Benoit Treluyer recorded the sixth fastest overall time and was the quickest petrol-powered car at a hugely encouraging Le Mans Test Day.
A time of 3:33.939, set by Tinseau early in the afternoon session, was 1.5 seconds ahead of team mates Jean-Christophe Boullion, Emmanuel Collard and Romain Dumas in the sister #16 car and also faster than one of the works diesel-powered Audis.
Tinseau did much of the running in the morning, on a damp but drying track following a downpour on Saturday, with Primat taking over after the first two hours. Most of the Geneva-based driver’s time in the car took place in wet conditions, as the heavens opened once more, but he posted consistent lap times throughout.
Primat’s time in the car was cut short after the session was red flagged following an off for the JMB Racing Ferrari 430 and, after a 50 minute delay, Treluyer took over to complete the morning session.
In the afternoon Tinseau was immediately quick on a dry track setting the third and fourth best times early on. The session was red flagged twice following big accidents for the #83 Risi Competizione Ferrari 430 and the #7 LMP1 Peugeot 908 HDi, and when the rain began once more, meaning no improvements were possible, the team decided not to return to the track, with the car sitting in a very respectable sixth.
All three drivers were delighted with their progress ahead of the race on June 14-15.
Primat said: “It’s great to be back at Le Mans, despite the weather! I was a bit unlucky and didn’t get any track time in the dry, but Christophe has done a great job improving the set up and coupled with the new aero package, we looked good all day. To be P4 in the morning session, P6 in the afternoon and the best petrol car all day is great news for us.”
Tinseau said: “The team are very happy with first and second in the petrol class. But we also did some crucial work in the short time the track was dry and have a very good base set up now. We still want to find a bit more mechanical grip, which I think we’ll do and I am confident we can go even quicker during the race week.”
Treluyer said: “The car is very stable out there and we tried the intermediate and were pretty close to the pace of Audis and Peugeots, which was a surprise. Our set up was similar to what our race set up will be, so we look in good shape.”
Team Principal Henri Pescarolo said: “It’s been a great day for Pescarolo Sport and for Harold, Christophe and Benoit. All three did a very good job today and to be the top petrol car, and so far ahead of the other petrol cars, is very encouraging.”
