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European Le Mans Series

SMP Dallara Takes Maiden Win in 4H Le Castellet

SMP Racing takes first win for Dallara P217 Gibson…

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

SMP Racing has given the Dallara P217 Gibson its maiden victory in a dominant run in Sunday’s Four Hours of Le Castellet.

In only their second start, open-wheel converts Matevos Isaakyan and Egor Orudzhev took top overall honors, the first for the Russian squad in LMP2 competition.

Isaakyan crossed the line 1 minute and 27 seconds ahead of the No. 22 G-Drive Racing Oreca 07 Gibson of Leo Roussel, which enjoyed an early race battle with the pole-sitting DragonSpeed Oreca of Ben Hanley, which faded once Henrik Hedman took over driving duties.

It marked the third different LMP2 constructor and team to win in four races this season.

Roussel, who was within 30 seconds of the SMP Dallara in the closing hour, pitted under the second-to-final Full Course Yellow with 22 minutes remaining for fresh rear tires and dropped over a minute behind, but maintained second.

Filipe Albuquerque took the No. 32 United Autosports Ligier JS P217 to a third place finish, rebounding from an early race spin by co-driver Hugo de Sadeleer, with the No. 39 Graff Oreca coming home fourth, following a late charge by Enzo Guibbert.

John Falb held off Martin Hippe for top class honors in LMP3 for the No. 2 United Autosports Ligier JS P3 Nissan and co-driver Sean Rayhall.

Falb crossed the line just 2.418 seconds ahead of the No. 13 Inter Europol Competition Ligier.

The American duo, who claimed their second class win of the season, extend the championship lead in the class with two rounds remaining.

GTE saw a dominant run for the No. 55 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 GTE of Matt Griffin, Duncan Cameron and Aaron Scott, which picked up their second consecutive class win.

Griffin finished more than one minute ahead of the No. 90 TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage GTE of Euan Hankey, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Am class-winning No. 66 JMW Motorsport Ferrari completing the class podium in third.

RESULTS: 4H Le Castellet

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