A drama filled Le Castellet 240 saw Realteam racing score a debut ELMS victory with Esteban Garcia and David Droux celebrating on the winner’s podium after a challenging four hour race marked by rain, safety cars and full on racing action.
The race started behind the safety car as the track was very wet, but the earlier rain had stopped. After two laps behind the safety car the race went green and Esteban Garcia, starting from the LMP3 pole position, led the 12-car field into the first corner. However, he dropped back to 4th as the no2 United Autosports Ligier of championship leader Rob Wheldon took the lead, followed by the no3 United Autosports Ligier of Andrew Bentley.
On lap 4, Garcia dropped to 5th when he was passed by the no11 Eurointernational Ligier of Jacopo Baratto. The no16 BHK Motorsport Ligier of Lorenzo Veglia was third but was tipped into a spin and dropped to 4th when challenged by Baratto for the place.The two would clash again at T6 and for this move Veglia was given a Stop and Go penalty.
Rain began to fall again and the no9 Graff Ligier of Arnold Robin was making progress, passing the no11 Eurointernational Ligier at T10 and then taking the lead when the two United Autosport Ligier pitted. The no11 Ligier also had to pit and was pushed back into its garage with an issue, dropping the car out of contention.
After 100 minutes of racing the second safety car was deployed when the rear tyre of the no5 Graff LMP3 Duqueine exploded after being damaged in a collision with the no16 BHK Motorsport Ligier spreading debris across the track on the Mistral Straight.
