24 Hours of Le Mans 2018 - LMGTE-Pro

Le Mans for me is the time just before dawn and just before dusk.  That is when the magic starts!

It should have been a great GT battle of Porsche vs Ford vs Ferrari vs Chevrolet vs Aston Martin vs BMW.  But somehow, it wasn't quite as close as one might have hoped.  At times some of the racing was very close, especially for third place between Porsche and Ford.  however, this turned a little controversial as Ford GT driver Sebastien Bourdais complained about the driving tactics of Porsche's Frédéric  Makowieeki.  Another controversial aspect as usual was the Balance of Performance, with both Ferrari and Aston Martin complaining.  However, i mustn't complain too much as the LMHTE-Pro cars are my favourite.

All seventeen cars that competed at Le Mans in this class are shown below in the order that they were classified:

15th overall, 1st in class - 92 - Porsche GT Team - Porsche 911 RSR - Christensen/Estre/Vanthoor.

Great to see Porsche use famous old liveries on its car.  Here it is during the warm-up.

Iconic shot of the class winning Porsche exiting the Esses with the Dunlop bridge behind.

The Pink Pig Porsche in the Esses during Saturday evebning.

Just before the eight hour mark and it is dark at the Esses and the leading porsche is about to lap a Ferrari.

Early Sunday morning and the Pink Pig is well on its way to a popular class win.

16th overall, 2nd in class - 91 - Porsche GT Team - Porsche 911 RSR - Lietz/Bruni/Makowiecki.

As well as the Pink Pig colour scheme, Porsche brought along a car in the old "Rothmans" colour scheme.

The "Rothmans" Porsche in Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

The 91 Porsche led the 92 for quite a while early in the race.  Here it leads at the Esses early on Satuday evening.

There was quire a controversial battle between the Porsche and this Ford with the Ford drivers accusing the Porsche driver of over aggressive driving.

17th overall, 3rd in class, 68, Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA, Ford GT, Hand/Muller/Bourdais.

The lead Ford during the Warm up on the way to Tertre Rouge.

The Ford on Saturday afternoon ion Tertre Rouge.

18th overall, 4th in class, 63, Corvette Racing, Chevrolet Corvette C7R, Magnussen/Garcia/Rockenfeller.

In the warm-up, on the way to Tertre Rouge.

In Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

Leading a BMW through the Esses.

20th overall, 5th in class, 52, AF Corse, Ferrari 488 GTE Evo, Vilander/Giovinazzi/Derani.

The Ferrari during the warm-up on Saturday morning.

The AF Corse Ferrari leading a LMP2 car through the Esses on Saturday evening.

On Sunday morning in the Esses.

21st overall, 6th in class, 66, Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK, Ford GT, Mücke/Pla/Johnson.

In the Esses on Sunday morning.

At night at Tertre Rouge.

Exiting the Esses.

22nd overall, 7th in class, 51, AF Corse, Ferrari 488 GTE Evo, Pier Guidi/Calado/Serra.

During the Saturday morning warm up.

Heading a BMW into the Esses.

The Ferrari in the Dunlop Chicane, Sunday lunchtime.

23rd overall, 8th in class, 95, Aston Martin Racing, Aston Martin Vantage AMR, Sørensen/Thim/Turner.

The lead Aston Martin in Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

24th overall, 9th in class, 71, AF Corse, Ferrari 488 GTE Evo, Rigon/Bird/Molina.

Heading some other cars out of the Esses during the warm-up.

The Ferrari at night, rounding Tertre Rouge.

The 71 Ferrari in the Esses on Sunday morning.

27th overall, 10th in class, 93, Porsche GT Team, Porsche 911 RSR, Pilet/Tandy/Bamber.

The 93 Porsche at Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday evening heading a BMW through the Esses.

Tertre Rouge at night with the 93 Porsche third in class.

33rd overall, 11th in class, 81, BMW Team MTEK, BMW M8 GTE, Tomczyk/Catsburg/Eng.

During the morning warm-up on the way to Tertre Rouge.

In Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

The 81 BMW in the Dunlop Chicane.

36th overall, 12th in class, 67, Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK, Ford GT, Priaulx, Tincknell, Kanaan.

The 67 Ford in Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

37th overall, 13th in class, 97, Aston Martin Racing, Aston Martin Vantage AMR, Lynn/Martin/Adam.

The 97 Aston heading towards Tertre Rouge in the morning warm up.

In Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

39th overall, 14th in class, 69, Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA, Ford GT, Briscoe/Westbrook/Dixon.

Ford leading Ferrari through the Esses early on Saturday evening.

Exiting the Esses.

On Sunday morning in the Esses.

Retired, 64, Corvette Racing, Chevrolet Corvette C7R, Gavin/Milner/Fässler.

Leading the works Porsches during the warm-up.

Exiting the Esses and heading for Tertre Rouge.

Heading down the start finish straight on Sunday morning.

Retired, 82, BMW Team MTEK, BMW M8 GTE, Farfus/DaCosta/Sims.

The 82 BMW heading down to Tertre Rouge.

Retired, 94, Porsche GT Team, Porsche 911 RSR, Dumas/Bernhard/Müller.

In Tertre Rouge on Saturday afternoon.

The 94 Porsche watched by the crowds at Tertre Rouge.

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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.