Le Mans Series

Hares in the dark!

After the elation of finally being back in the ball game the fourth and final free practice session was the compulsory for all drivers. All drivers were expected to complete three flying laps in the dark. During the break the damaged rear bodywork had been repaired, the ride height optimised, further toe in adjustments and the car cleaned. Haruki was to qualify and do the first two stints on Saturday, John the middle two and Sam the finish into the darkness. They would go out in this order during this session.

2100 The car is rolled out in front of the pits, tyre set S2 are fitted, these are already well used. Haruki is in the car to do an out, three flying laps then in and then John will repeat the process before Sam goes out. Sam is planned to do more laps, as he will race into the dark.

2104 Haruki sets sixth fastest time so far but tyres are old and they are not looking for a fast time.

2110 Haruki comes in and has several goes at running down his stop board! Exits car half in the next door BMS pit and leaves car in gear, the Ferrari arrives before the crew can disengage the gearbox and roll it back, it all looks a bit frantic for a few seconds

2112 John goes out, Haruki says it is very dark out on the circuit, not at all like Le Mans where there is a fair amount of light around the circuit, “Cars were on the grass everywhere, it was very dangerous”

2122 John comes in and hands over to Sam who goes out on the same tyres, John echoes Haruki’s comments, the circuit being very flat makes it very difficult to judge where you are particularly in the complex corners. The Audi has set a 1.37.870 but he says he saw it on the grass three times in his five laps, The Pescarolo was off twice also and once could have been a very big accident if anybody else had been close. He also had a close encounter with a hare, he was passing the two LNT TVRs on the straight between Stowe and Club when suddenly in his head light he saw this hare standing up on its rear legs transfixed in the headlight beam, he and TVRs missed it so it may have lived to tell the tale.

2140 they call Sam in its not worth risking the car, Sam thought it was great, “That was piss fun!” asked what it would be like in the wet he just laughed.