Again, featuring another large fifty-eight strong LMP3 and GT3 grid over the more modest forty-two strong mixed classed grid for the usual seasonal rounds, that number of cars and the varying degrees of racing abilities spread amongst the two driver crews again saw the track sessions descend into some form of anarchy even before we got to the two, hour long races on Thursday and Saturday.
Indeed, Qualifying was one of the sessions badly affected with both incidences and accidents on track to such a degree that the grid sessions for both races were set from their times posted during Free Practice 1.
The full season #11 Code Racing Development AMR of Philipp Sager and Rory Van Der Steur would be down at the tail of the grid as a result with Sager starting from P56 overall whilst the Le Mans only entered #59 Racing Spirit of Leman AMR of Anthony McIntosh and Parker Thompson would fair little better with a P55 overall starting slot.
Despite a good start from both Astons where they each picked off a few early places, the inevitable Safety Car was called upon even before the first lap had been completed but at least was a just a brief affair before the race went back to green. As the laps ticked by, both Aston Martins had worked their way into the top ten with the #59 car still leading the #11.
Pitting at the available midway point, the faster drivers of Thompson and Van Der Steur were now aboard as the #59 looked to better it then P5 position whilst the younger American looked to replicate the podium winning feats of his from the opening two rounds of the season. Whilst the guesting #59 car would come home P3 in class to win those two drivers a debut Le Mans winning trophy for their efforts, the #11 car had to make do with a P9 in class finish – but they were at least, still in the points.
Race two on Saturday, however, couldn’t have got any worse for both crews if it tried as the #59 RSLM AMR failed to take the start and the #11 crashed out just after the pits stop.
Again, another Safety Car punctuated start saw Sager survive his lowly starting position again but was unable to elevate himself up the order in the remaining laps that he had. Eventually handing over to Van Der Stuer, their race would come to a premature end as the #11 lost adhesion going into the very fast Indianapolis complex – spinning through the deep gravel trap before impacting into the adjacent tyre wall. Fortunately, uninjured but that, Van Der Stuer Le Mans debut came to an abrupt end.
The series will regroup at Spa Francorchamps with its usual full season line up at the end of August.
Photo credits – Kelvin Pope (Red Firecracker) / Team / social media