Ram Racing Mercedes Wins 24H Paul Ricard

The No. 30 Ram Racing Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 has won the Hankook 24H Paul Ricard after a battle with the No. 7 Porsche 997 GT3 R HB Racing Team Herberth.

Germany’s Thomas Jäger along with English drivers Tom Onslow-Cole, Adam Christodoulou, and Paul White completed 586 laps of the 5.842 kilometer circuit located above the French Riviera.

The second-placed Porsche was driven by Nicolas Armindo, Daniel Allemann, Herbert Handlos, Lukas Schreier and Alfred Renauer.

The leaders had a close battle during the night, swapping the top spot during pit stop exchanges. The Mercedes pulled away thanks in part to better tire management.

The race was decided with 90 minutes remaining when the Porsche briefly stopped on track with electrical problems.

It was the first win for Ram after having come close at previous races.

Third place was taken by the No. 2 HP Racing Mercedes (Bleekemolen / Kofler / Tilke / Renger / Proczyk) and fourth by the No. 4 Scuderia Praha Ferrari. It was a good comeback for both as they collided on the first lap of the race, requiring repairs.

The all-Porsche 997 class was won by French team Ruffier Racing in the No. 17 991 Cup Drivers Paul Lafargue, Dimitri Enjalbert, Gabriel Abergel, and Patrice Lafargue put in a flawless performance. 

The SP2 class consists of specially prepared endurance cars and was won by the No. 92 MARC Cars Australia MARC Focus V8. It was driven by James Kaye, Jeff Smith, Peter Leemhuis and Hadrian Morrall. 

Other class winners included Team Altran (A3T), Nova Race (SP3), Team Securtal Sorg Rennsport (CUP1), Presenza Racing Team Switzerland (A2) and Hofor Racing (A5).

There were no major incidents and eight brief Code 60 neutralizations to collect stranded cars and scattered debris. The race was run under clear and warm skies.

The 24H Series powered by Hankook now moves on to its penultimate round at the Circuit de Catalunya outside Barcelona for the 24H Barcelona Trofeu Fermi Vélez on Sept. 4-6.

RESULTS: Hankook 24H Paul Ricard