Ligier European Series Set for Le Mans Heat: Competitors and Class Dynamics
The Ligier European Series gears up for its annual Le Mans Heat on June 8, coinciding with the prestigious test day of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This year’s field sees 33 competitors, making it a significant event for teams vying for supremacy on the iconic 13.626-kilometer Circuit de la Sarthe.
JS P4 Category: Aiming for Dominance
The Ligier JS P4 category stands out, featuring 16 entries. Team Virage, which has won every Le Mans Heat since its inception in 2022, sees its #88 JS P4 piloted by the Al Qubaisi sisters, Amna and Hamda, who aspire to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Current championship leaders Iko Segret and Maxwell Dodds from ANS Motorsport’s #6 car aim for a third victory after triumphs in Barcelona and Le Castellet. They hold a narrow point lead over Romain Boeckler and Loire Valley Racing, currently second with 50 points.
Additional entries include the #46 P4 Racing vehicle, driven by Andrew Fergusson, and the #81 from LR Motorsport with Alvise Rodella at the wheel. The #58 HP Racing by MRacing leads the AM classification with 86 points, closely followed by the #16 Pegasus Racing, also on 86 points.
JS2 R Category: Expanding Competition
In the JS2 R category, 17 cars will take the grid, bolstered by six new entries. Notable among them is Les Deux Arbres’ #26 Ligier JS2 R, driven by Gil Maillet and Pierre-Olivier Calendini. Pegasus Racing expands its lineup with the addition of the #28 and #55 cars, while ANS Motorsport fields two Ligier JS2 Rs for this event—#37 and #71.
Current championship leader, the #57 car of 23EventsRacing, has amassed 71 points through a victory in Barcelona and two second places at Le Castellet. The LR Motoport JS2 R #7 follows closely with 65 points, and VSF Sports’ #18 rounds out the top three with 59 points. In the PRO-AM class, Pegasus Racing’s #94 leads with 86 points, while VSF Sports’ #41 tops the AM class with 100 points.
Race Day Schedule
A condensed schedule awaits competitors on June 8, with 45 minutes of free practice starting at 8 a.m., followed by a qualifying session from 9:15 to 9:35 a.m. The race will commence at 2 p.m., serving as the curtain-raiser for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This event not only marks a pivotal moment in the Ligier European Series but also spotlights the continued development and competitiveness of teams and drivers in one of motorsport’s most revered settings.
