Peugeot ready for round 2 of ILMC

Published September 28, 2010
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After a great win at the opening race of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Silverstone three weeks ago, Team Peugeot now heads for the second race in North America comfortably placed at the top of the ILMC standings.

Peugeot ready for round 2 of ILMC highlights

Prototype racing in its most international appeal has finally taken birth in the form of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. The first race of the hugely anticipated racing series finally flagged at Silverstone in the second week of September, and its outcome was anything but predictable.

After Audi’s jubilant success in the 2010 Le Mans cup, it seemed like the team’s diesel powered R15 TDI just needed another platform to exhibit its technological prowess on a circuit stamped with its successful runs over the decades. But expectations sometimes turn to smoke when the competition isn’t too far behind.

The competition in this case, Team Peugeot Total, which made a clean sweep at the inaugural race of the ILMC, and secured 1st and 2nd positions respectively. The race was marked by an exciting duel between Anthony Davidson and Allan McNish, ended in Peugeot’s favour thanks to the Teams Oreca-run 908 HDi FAP. The man behind wheels of Team Peugeot’s success at Silverstone, Anthony Davidson said, “I really enjoyed working with Nicolas Minassian at Silverstone. We came away with a great result and it would be fantastic to repeat that win with Alex and Marc with, whom I won the 12 Hours of Sebring at the beginning of the year. I have a little experience of Road Atlanta after racing there in 2003. It's a great event. I can't wait.”

This smashing victory has not only helped Peugeot secure the top spot in Championship so far, but has also given them a lead of 26 points in overall Manufacturers standings in the cup. After the first round in Europe, the newly-created series now moves to the United States for its second round. This new championship's second port of call will be the 1,000-mile Petit Le Mans race at Road in Atlanta, Georgia.

Peugeot: Will it re-live its 2009 success at Petit Le Mans?

The 2009 visit to Road Atlanta produced a one-two finish for Peugeot, even though the race was shortened by several hours because of torrential rain. The two factory 908 HDi FAPs entered for this year's Petit Le Mans will be looking to repeat that success against what promises to be stiff opposition. In addition to its main rival, Peugeot will also be up against the USA's top endurance specialists for whom this fixture will be the last round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series.

A recap of the regulations

Unlike European races, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, the pre-warming of tyres is not permitted, but four mechanics are authorised to change wheels at the same time, instead of two. Access to the pit lane is closed when the safety car is out, and the American races only run one such vehicle, compared with two in Europe.

Peugeot Line-up

N°07 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP: Anthony Davidson (GBR), Marc GENE (ESP), Alexander Wurz (AUT)