Challenge Endurance Proto
« Pegasus spreads its wings »
Highly disputed since its inception, this challenge first of all saw the reign for three seasons, of the constructor from the south-west of France, Norma, before British constructor Juno carried off the title in 2007. Today, this season has smiled on another French constructor, Ligier, who is about to take the title.
Thanks to the star team from the Pegasus Racing stable composed of Schell and Caussanel who are at the top on provisional classification with an enormous lead of over sixty points, Ligier could well take the title for the very season in which the Magny-Cours constructor seems to be concentrating its efforts on another challenge for 2009. The n°18 Ligier JS49 took a win in Germany after a particularly regular start of season, always finishing on the podium.
Behind them, there are numerous contenders, beginning with their fellow team-mates, the first in the Norma armada, Haezebrouck, Toulemonde in n°7 who unfortunately did not finish in Germany. The drivers of the IRS stable are now hot on their heels with Ibanez, Cavailhes in n°3, third and Desprez, Robert n°4 , lying fifth.
British constructor Juno should by no means be ignored with its fourth provisional place in the n°51 SSE of Richard Bernans still in the race for the title. If he finishes the season with the very fast Ward, he has a real chance of taking the title even though the n°18 Ligier JS49 now seems untouchable. The constructor's French teams will be there to support the young Brit with the n°5 of Bianchina and Yvon and the n°6 of Ghio and Papin.
Often the first of the Gentlemen Drivers, teams whose drivers are over forty years old, Vidal and Caillon are frequently among the first placings mixed in with the «youngsters» with a third at Dijon and the bottom podium step at the EuroSpeedway and are quite capable of the end-of-year performance in TFT's n°9 Norma. But watch out for the very fast Baillet and Herbeth, always capable of pulling out the stops in the n°17 Norma M20 F.
Far down on provisional classification, the English drivers of Race Team Solutions are moving up towards the leaders, they way they did in Germany where the performances of the n°34 Norma M20 F of Padmore/Rihon and the 35 car of Ford/Kaiser did not go unnoticed. Crossing the channel for the occasion, the n°39 Chiron will be back to hone its mettle in the hands of Griffith and Honeyman.
Vilariño father and son, in their n°23 Norma M20 F are still chasing another win after the one they took in the first event on their native Spanish soil. Their motivation intensifies with each race as does that of youngsters Rosier and Guillet-Arnaud, running an old version Norma, n°19, with which they often finish well up in classification. The sister of Ander and daughter of Andres Vilariño, Angela, who made her debuts in Germany in the family car, will team up for this race, as she didi in Dijon, with compatriot Pujol in the n°124 Norma M20 F #124 of the Catalan team.
Finally, the cars in the C3 category, there will only be two Radical SR3s, before the arrival of the new cars currently in the design stage at the French constructor's. Le Calvez and Guanzini in n°36 will be up against regular Giavedoni, newly teamed up with the fast Tissandier in n°71.
Forty teams will line up for this 3-hour endurance race which will most certainly be run off as a sprint with cars able to hold out for two hours on the track without having to refuel. Exploiting Safety Car outings will be of prime importance and strategy will once again be an essential factor in any hopes of a win.
Start procedure: Sunday, 28th September from 14h25 to 14h55
Race: Sunday, 28th September, from 14h55 to 17h55
Challenge Sprint Proto
« The terrible twins! »
The first two in the Challenge have an impressive lead on general classification, just like in 2007 and the last three confrontations should be cliff-hangers as there is very little air between the two competitors on the track.
This season, there is an incredible tussle in the Challenge between reigning Champion Zollinger in the n°1 Norma M20 F and his chaser Toulemonde in the n°2 second car. They have been swapping first podium positions since the start of the season and are miles ahead on general classification. The Lédenon event should give the advantage to Zollinger, the instructor-driver from the Palmyr écurie based at the track, but Toulemonde will be determined to catch his rival out on his home ground with the Norma prepared by the neighbours from Alès, LD Autosport.
Behind, Dijon driver Ader took the advantage over his rivals in his last race and will be aiming at defending his third step of the podium up to the end of the season, thanks to his n°8 Norma M20.
He needs to watch out for Girardot's n°7 Norma, always very quick, while Beck in n°3 will be aiming at taking back the third step on the podium which was his in 2007 in the Promodrive Norma M20. Based this season at the Lédenon track and very familiar with it, Le Corre will also be a serious contender for third place behind the wheel of his n°5 Normal M20 F.
Mora, in the n°40 Ligier JS49, will be preparing to suss out his rivals before his race in November at Pau Arnos while Bureau in the n°4 Norma M20 2004, young British driver Bernans, the only representative of British constructor Juno with his n°51 SSE, or even Huez, Norma M20 n°15 will be harrying the pack. Finally, Bailon makes a return in his Norma M20 F to pick up points as usual.
Now free of his start of season engine problems in his Océane Motorsport Norma M20, Julien Chauvière will be battling it out to succeed on this circuit, which he enjoys so much.
The small category will be lively thanks to the n°16 Funyo 4 of Tremblaye or Heriau, n°36, who will once again be up against the very determined Baumard in the n°19 EMA 1200.
Race 1: Saturday, 27th September, from 14h10 to 14h35
Race 2: Sunday, 28th September, from 13h45 to 14h10