Pierre Ragues has secured a fourth podium of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship season after a strong run to third position in the 6 Hours of COTA.
The Frenchman, along with Larbre Competition team-mates Ricky Taylor and Lars Viljoen, set a competitive pace in Saturday’s day-into-night race to finish comfortably inside the top-three after being among the quickest in GTE-Am all weekend in their #50 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R.
The result comes after the team’s third places in Silverstone, Spa and Nürburgring, and helps them close the gap to third place overall in the Championship table after disappointment in Mexico last time out.
The 5.513km anti-clockwise Circuit of the Americas has once again provided a scintillating race week with extremely hot conditions greeting teams and drivers. Thursday’s opening practice session already showed Larbre Competition’s intent as they set the fastest time in GTE-Am. They added a further 35 laps in the second session on Thursday, totalling 61 for the day, as they set solid foundations.
Friday practice ran without any trouble as the team prepared for qualifying. Despite Ricky setting the fastest time in GTE-Am in the session, the team would start the 6 Hours of COTA from sixth in class.
American Ricky started the race in positive spirits, making up two positions in the opening half an hour. Pierre was scheduled to drive second of the three drivers, and took over the #50 car in the second hour, helping to position the team firmly in the podium fight. Once again, showing his competitiveness behind the wheel of the Corvette, Pierre enjoyed a strong run and handed over the Lars with 3h30 left on the clock.
Even with Full Course Yellow periods during the second half of the race, Larbre Competition remained focused on their own strategy and consolidated their third place as Ricky, then Lars and ultimately Pierre all took their second shifts in the car. Pierre’s task was to complete the race and to bring home the podium, saving fuel to ensure the team didn’t have to pit for a splash before the end. Third place was his reward for a job well done and a professional, measured drive.
Pierre commented: “I am delighted we have been able to take our fourth podium of the season with a great drive around COTA. We knew from the opening practice sessions that we had the pace in the Corvette to challenge for the podium this weekend, so it’s great to achieve our objective. Along with Ricky and Lars, we have had a trouble-free and strong race, setting some quick and consistent times. As always this is a team effort, so it’s a result we can all share and be proud of. COTA is a fantastic track, a real challenge, and it’s incredible to have the Le Mans-style day into night racing. It adds a special atmosphere, for sure. It’s been a very hot weekend, with extremely high track and ambient temperatures, so extra thanks must go to our mechanics who have worked so professionally in hard conditions. Thanks too to my partners at GroupAuto, Sparco and Ellip6 for their support in helping us to add to our podium tally.”