Le Mans Test Saturday Notebook

Photo: Laurent Chauveau/Endurance-Info

***All 56 cars set to take part in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans assembled this afternoon for the traditional group photo. Four LMP1 manufacturers are set to do battle for the first time, with the debut of the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO.

***Rain is in the forecast for the Test Day tomorrow, with current projections calling for a 70 percent chance of showers for much of the day, which would make conditions less than ideal for teams.

***The single-day test will be split up into two sessions, one from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and again from 2 to 6 p.m. All rookie drivers, or those who have not driven Le Mans in more than five years will be required to complete a minimum of ten laps to qualify for the race.

***A total of 64 cars will be participating tomorrow, including reserve entries from KCMG, Ibanez Racing, Formula Racing and Gulf Racing UK, as well as two additional AF Corse Ferraris and two Team LNT Ginetta-Juno LMP3 cars, which are only permitted to take part in the test day. Click Here for the complete entry list.

***Rebellion Racing’s revised Rebellion R-One AERs completed more than 500 miles of testing at Paul Ricard prior to this weekend’s test. The Anglo-Swiss squad will complete the remainder of the FIA WEC season, with only Nick Heidfeld potentially missing a few races.

***The No. 21 Nissan completed its first shakedown late Saturday at the Le Mans airport, joining the No. 22 car, which returned for additional running time. Jann Mardenborough was again at the wheel of the LMP1 car.

***A ceremony took place this afternoon on the pit straight to honor those lost during the massive accident in 1955 that claimed the lives of nearly 100 people. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the disaster, which still ranks as the most catastrophic accident in motorsports history.

***Nissan is showing its support of the ‘Red Thumb’ campaign this weekend, with all nine of its LMP1 drivers wearing special gloves in a bid to raise awareness to the number of texting-while-driving-related accidents on the road. The campaign was launched by Nissan USA in December.

***Three-time Le Mans class winner and reigning FIA WEC GTE-Pro champion Gianmaria Bruni celebrates his 34th birthday today.

Laurent Mercier contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John