IMSA Performance Matmut goes back home from Le Mans test day with the fourth and fifth best times, having consistently been top of the rankings. IMSA Performance Matmut was present with his six holder pilots during the test day to prepare men and cars to the “classique Mancelle”. On the #67 car, ELMS crew Henzler-Milesi was supplemented by the recent winner of the 4 hours of Le Castellet in VdeV Michelin Endurance Series, Pascal Gibon, also second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2011 in GTE-Am class.

Patrice Milesi as a beginner in Le Mans, was one of the two team drivers who needed to loop 10 laps to confirm his participation to Le Mans. He did without problem despite of difficult weather conditions with a wet track which trapped many of competitors throughout the day. If Patrice Milesi was discovering the track, Pascal Gibon had to rediscover the GT3 RSR after a 2012 season behind the steering wheel of a Chevrolet Corvette and the start of the 2013 season with a 997 GT3 R Porsche which differs on many points, especially in terms of braking.

Having been replaced by Patrick Long in the last ELMS race at Imola due to clash of dates with the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, the Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler was back at the wheel of the Porsche of French flag’s. On a track more and more dry, it ended the session of the afternoon with a convincing fourth place, just ahead of the sister car Narac-Vernay-Bourret. If Jean-Karl Vernay had already participated to the day test driving a Peugeot 908 in 2011, he was again asked to run its regulatory 10 laps, never having participated in the race.

The Lyonnais fulfilled its obligation and quickly scored the only 997 GT3 RSR 2012 of the class, second of the GTE-Am at the break. Christophe Bourret, missing of the last 6 hours of Spa, was back in the cockpit of the 76 after nearly two months of forced inactivity. It did not take long to quickly get into the rhythm on a track he likes. Throughout the day, they have formed with Narac, second in GTE-Am last year, a solid and homogeneous crew which lined up laps with the regularity of a Swiss clock, refining the settings for the week ahead. The Normand Porsche ended the day in fifth place, at a breath of #67. IMSA Performance Matmut team go back home serenely, finishing this first day smoothly and can be confident in the abilities of its both cars, to appear in well position for the 24H of Le Mans.

INTERVIEW:

Jean-Karl Vernay: “The session was good. I quickly felt comfortable on the track. Even if I already have participated to the test day, this will be my first 24H. Things are getting serious in one week, but it is encouraging to figure in the top of the standings at the end of the day”.

Christophe Bourret: “These two month without getting into the RSR cockpit seemed like an eternity for me! I love Le Mans, it is always a pleasure to drive there. I immediately felt all right in the car, it’s a magic track. I can’t wait being in the great mood of Le Mans week”.

Raymond Narac: “The conditions were tough today and I did not take any risks on the track. We are on a good way in terms of settings, the car is well balanced, we have to confirm this next week”.

Patrice Milesi: “The day was great! This is a dream come true to ride on such a circuit. I’m looking forward to start the big Le Mans week. ACO slogan “Every second, a new emotion”, makes all it sense to me now”!

Pascal Gibon: “I am delighted to be back at the steering wheel of an RSR at Le Mans. In the morning, I almost got trapped in the first braking, too used to the GT3 R of VdeV. I then quickly found a good feeling after a difficult race for me in 2012.”

Wolf Henzler: “I did not take any risks today. The meeting went well, without any unexpected things. There is still much to do before the race, but we are on the right way…”

Franck Rava: “The day went well for both cars. The two teams, whether pilots or mechanics are in place and are working together in the same direction. The race promises to be hotly contested with the Aston Martins which have a real performance advantage, but other brands seem to be in a handkerchief. “

Source : IMSA Performance Matmut