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GLICKENHAUS SETS PACE IN LE MANS TEST

Glickenhaus sets pace in Le Mans test - Image: Motorsport Images

By Timothy Neal

Glickenhaus Racing made a statement of intent after nine hours of testing at Le Mans, clocking the best lap in the first session.

The #708 Glickenhaus 007 LMH Hypercar rounded the circuit in 3m 29.115s, leading the way from the #7 and #8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid machines in the Hypercar class.

In the debut of the new cars, Toyota set the early speed, led by Kazuki Nakajima in his #8 who set the initial best time, a 3m 30.440s.

Fellow Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi was only just slower in the #7 sister car, setting a 3m 30.594s lap.

Andre Negrao managed to match the Toyota’s later in the morning, posting a 3m 30.276s in his Alpine A480.

The first time under 3m 30s came in the afternoon, a 3m 29.643s set by Brendon Hartley in the #8 Toyota.

Glickenhaus’ #708 Hypercar did its best work in the afternoon, eventually setting the leading lap to upset Toyota.

Australian representative Ryan Briscoe was part of the #709 Glickenhaus team which were fifth in class.

In LMP2, James Allen was the highest placed Aussie with a second-in-class result.

Allen and teammates Will Stevens and Julien Canal recorded a 3m 31.120s in their #65 Oreca machine.

Patrick Pilet was the benchmark in the IDEC Sport Racing #48 Oreca, with a 3m 31.105s.

The team had challenges on testing day, its second car did not make it out of the garage.

However, they would be encouraged by the pace of the #48.

Driving for Racing Team India Eurasia, the other Australian in the class John Corbett was in the slowest LMP2 car on practice day.

Former Formula 1 drivers Kevin Magnussen and father Jan were also in action in LMP2, adjusting to the circuit they ended the day 12th in class

Fabio Scherer had an incident on track when he lost control of his prototype and hit a barrier, limping back to pit lane with a damaged spoiler.

In the LMGTE Pro class, Porsche GT Team trio Kevin Estre, Neel Jani and Michael Christensen would be confident after lapping the circuit quickest with a 3m 52.901s.

The #92 Porsche set a time that was almost identical to its #91 sister car driven by Gianmaria Bruni, Richard Lietz and Frederic Makowiecki, who achieved a best of 3m 52.904s.

The WeatherTech Racing Porsche was third fastest.

Corvette fared worse than their German rivals.

The #63 Corvette C8.R required a full engine and gearbox change, robbing the car of much needed lap time.

In LMGTE Am, Aussie Scott Andrews’ team Kessel Racing set the 11th fastest time in class.

Behind them in 18th were Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans of Dempsey – Proton Racing.

The Aussie and Kiwi pairing achieved a best time of 3m 55.895s.

Harry Tincknell recorded the fastest time for the class in the #99 Proton Competition Porsche.

Pick up the current issue of Auto Action for our in-depth preview of this year’s Le Mans 24 Hour.

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