Le Mans Series Paul Ricard Test – First Impressions - Pt 1

LMP1

Seven LMP1s are gleaming in various stages of preparation in pitlane

Oreca’s Peugeot 908 HDI FAP is fully liveried and damn fine it looks too – a variation on the theme of the team’s 2009 colour scheme seems to suit the diesel coupe very well indeed.

The Oreca 01 AIM in contrast is in bare carbon – Soheil Ayari was pre-announced aboard the car and he’s joined this weekend by Didier Andre and Andy Meyrick.

Beechdean Mansell’s Ginetta Zytek meanwhile is on parade – White 5 not red 5 at the moment - the good news for all else present is that the Beechdean Ice Cream Freezer is also in the pit garage.

The pair of Rebellion Racing Lola Rebellion Coupes are now fully liveried in white, gold and red – Is the Rebellion V10 substantially different from the standard Judd V10?  Apparently yes it is, but the response to all requests for further information on the changes thus far is ‘no comment!’  - The two cars meanwhile are set to be tested over the lunch break today by some very special guests!

There was a degree of door slamming at Aston Martin Racing as dsc popped in – no anger involved, just the team checking whether the door latch on the AMR car was functioning correctly.

Finally the Signature Plus #008 car is here and ready to rumble too (or should that be ready to scream – Black and white only thus far, final livery expected at the first race.