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Saturday, 7 July 2018

24 Hours of Le Mans 2018 - GTE-AM

Porsche and Ferrari GTE-AM cars at the Esses early on Saturday evening.
Porsche didn't just win the GTE-Pro class at le Mans in 2018, they also won the GTE-Am class - a double victory.  The GTE-Am class was courtesy of Dempsey Proton Racing.  The winning car was driven by the youngest driver in the field at 18 yers old - French rookie Julien Andlauer.  He was partnered by Australian Matt Campbell and German Christian Ried.  The latter had previously come second in the class in 2014.  They beat some good teams and drivers.  Past Formula One drivers in this class included Giancarlo Fisichella, Olivier Beretta and Pedro Lamy.

Patrick Dempsey was there to see his team take a win, something he never achieved aa a driver.  They had to hold off late charges from the Spirit of Race and Keating Ferrari teams and the Spirit of Race car finished on the same lap after 24 hours.

It was not a great year for Aston Martin with both cars in the GTE-AM class retiring.

In case you didn't know, the main differences between GTE-Am and GTE-Pro is that the GTE-Am cars must be at least one year old and include a bronze rated driver on their team.

1st in class, 26th overall - 77 - Dempsey Proton Racing - Porsche 911 RSR - Andlauer/Campbell/Ried.
The winning car on the run down to Tertre Rouge during the warm up.

The winning car in the Esses.

The Dempsey Proton Porsche in the Esses late on Saturday afternoon.
2nd in class, 27th overall - 54 - Spirit of Race - Ferrari 488 GTE - Fisichella/Flohr/Castellacci.
The Spirit of Race Ferrari about to be lapped by the Pink Pig GTE-Pro Porsche.


The Spirit of Race Ferrari in Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

Tertre Rouge at night.
3rd in class, 29th overall - 85 - Keating Motorsports - Ferrari 488 GTE - Bleekemolen/Keating/Stolz.
The Keating Motorsports Ferrari leads an Aston Martin through the Esses.


The Ferrari in the Esses.
4th in class, 30th overall - 99 - Proton Competition - Porsche 911 RSR - Long/Pappas/Pumpelly.
The good looking Proton Competition Porsche in Tertre Rouge.


Porsche exiting the Dunlop Chicane.
5th in class, 31st overall - 84 - JMW Motorsport - Ferrari 488 GTE - Griffin/MacNeil/Segal.
JMW Ferrari in Tertre Rouge.
6th in class, 32nd overall - 80 - Ebimotors - Porsche 911 RSR - Nielsen/Babini/Maris.
Ebimotors Porsche at the Esses.


Cutting the Apex at Tertre Rouge. 
7th in class, 35th overall - 56 - Team Project 1 - Porsche 911 RSR - Bergmeister/Lindsey/Perfetti.
Project 1 Porsche heading toweards Tertre Rouge.


Leading the JMW Ferrari at the Esses.


Entering the Start Finish Straight on Sunday morning.
8th in class, 36th overall - 61 - Clearwater Racing - Ferrari 488 GTE - Griffin/Mok/Sawa.
The Clearwater Ferrari leads a Porsche out of the Esses.

On Sunday morning at Raccordement.


Being chased by a LMP1 car through the Esses.
9th in class, 38th overall - 70 - MR Racing - Ferrari 488 GTE - Beretta/Cheever/Ishikawa.
MR Racing Ferrari exiting the Dunlop Chicane.


GT-AM battle at the Esses.


Ferrari entering the Start Finish straight.
10th in class, 41st overall - 86 - Gulf Racing - Porsche 911 RSR - Barker/Davison/Wainwright.
Gulf Racing Porsche on its way down to Tertre Rouge.


Gulf Racing Porsche at night.
Retired - 90 - TF Sport - Aston Martin Vantage - Eastwood/Hankey/Yoluc.
TF Sport Aston Martin exiting the Dunlop Chicane.

Aston Martin in Tertre Rouge.

Entering the Start Finish straight on Sunday morning.
Retired - 88 - Dempsey Proton Racing - Porsche 911 RSR - Al Qubaisi/Cairoli/Roda.
Porsche exiting the Dunlop Chicane.


Leading a LMP2 car through the Esses.


The No.88 Porsche parked up beside the track early on Sunday morning.
Retired  - 98 - Aston Martin Racing - Aston Martin Vantage - Dalla Lana/Lamy/Lauda.
Cutting the Apex at Tertre Rouge.


Aston Martin being harried through the Esses.
John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page. 

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