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hotography
WEC Prologue
Le Castellet 2018

H

ello,

here are my photographic feedbacks on the WEC Prologue of Saturday April the 7th, covered as a simple - not accredited - spectator.

On this subject, some mounds have been destroyed near the finish line area, because of the stands that will be built in front of the pit building. This is a pity for photographers, because the diversity of points of view without obstacle takes a hit... Let's pray that the new bleachers will also be some interesting spots !
In addition to that, some weather facts came into the picture : a tremendous East wind (not the Mistral, for this time), and, just for once, a Provençal light that had gone away...

However, it must be noted that the organization had opened the pitlane after the tests, what a welcome initiative, to be repeated as much as possible !

... Let's go for action and pictures !




T

he 'Orecalpine' is still on board, taken here from an old elevated spot, that I had given up, due to the low success rate of pictures produced here. It proves that one should never resign himself...


Signatech Alpine Matmut Alpine A470 - Gibson

T

his weekend was a cakewalk for the Toyota, which covered hundreds of laps, and performed an impressive 347 kph in the Mistral straight, despite a strong adverse wind.
In total, more than 1000 laps were covered by the 2 cars, with 2 different bodywork setups. As we say every year with conviction, Toyota has put all the strengths on its side for Le Mans !


Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota TS050 - Hybrid


Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota TS050 - Hybrid


Mistral straight

I

have already said all my disappointment about the new Aston Martin, a Mazda MX5 front look, a Mercedes inaudible engine (!) and an unlikely yellow paint (... Is it still an Aston ?) .


Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin VANTAGE AMR


Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin VANTAGE AMR


Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin VANTAGE AMR

F

ortunately, there is still the 'old timer' to save Aston in 'AM' class !


Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin VANTAGE

T

he new BMW has the good taste to respect the tradition of the brand, and I even find its design pretty impressive. The turbo engine is not louder than the Aston, but it does it because it's 'only' a BMW.


BMW Team MTEK BMW M8 GTE


BMW Team MTEK BMW M8 GTE

P

orsche, with its timeless flat six, still satisfies music lovers, but for how long ? Because no doubt they also master turbo engines...

The factory team :


Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR


Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR

T

he customers :


Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR


Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR

A

whole lot of Ferrari, ... But still turbo charged engines...


Clearwater Racing Ferrari F488 GTE


Clearwater Racing Ferrari F488 GTE


MR Racing Ferrari F488 GTE


Spirit Of Race Ferrari 488 GTE


AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE EVO


AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE EVO

F

or sure, this is the most spectacular bodywork on the grid !


Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK Ford GT


Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK Ford GT

B

ack to the prototypes :


Bykolles Racing Team ENSO CLM P1/01 - Nismo


Bykolles Racing Team ENSO CLM P1/01 - Nismo


TDS Racing Oreca 07 - Gibson

T

he inaugural launch of the Rebellion went well. It was the coming-out party for the new non-hybrid LMP1s, which are far behind the Toyota's, as expected (at least 4-5 sec per lap).


Rebellion Racing Rebellion R13 - Gibson


Rebellion Racing Rebellion R13 - Gibson


Rebellion Racing Rebellion R13 - Gibson

T

o finish with, sunny duel at the exit of the Signes curve !


Courbe de Signes

...

G

ood bye, and see you soon for a next event !

Yann