EU Megane: Series Le Mans qualifying report

Nothing can stop Enjalbert

Dimitri Enjalbert (Boutsen Energy Racing) is still on song this weekend after his recent run of success. He is pole-sitter again for both races at Le Mans! The Frenchman finishes ahead of Jonathan Hirschi (TDS Racing) by a fraction - five hundredths to be precise - of a second. Both drivers will be keen to capitalize on the disappointing start to the weekend made by Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur), with only the 9th best time.

The Eurocup Megane Trophy drivers took to the track for twenty minutes of qualifying. Each driver's best time decides the line-up for race one, and second best gives their position on the grid in race two.

Right from the word go, Jonathan Hirschi (TDS Racing) and Dimitri Enjalbert (Boutsen Energy Racing) stood out from the rest of the field. The Swiss driver was on top at the beginning of the session, but the Frenchman gradually upped the stakes, improving his time lap on lap. With a laptime of 1'41''063, he took provisional pole position and put in the second best laptime, making him provisional pole-sitter for race 2.

Behind the two fastest men, Jean-Philippe Madonia (TDS Racing), first of the Gentlemen Drivers, came out on top to take third ahead of Antony Tardieu (Tech 1 Racing) and Pierre Thiriet (TDS Racing).

The drivers let the mechanics and tires cool off before the final rush. This saw Fabrice Walfisch (Team Lompech Sport) wrestle third, while Mike Verschuur stayed back in 9th. Positions were to stay the same to the end of the session.

Dimitri Enjalbert (Boutsen Energy Racing) is still very much on song this weekend after his recent run of success and is pole-sitter for both races at Le Mans. He will find Jonathan Hirschi at his side on both grids. Fabrice Walfisch and Jean-Philippe Madonia will share the second row. Mike Verschuur, leader in the overall standings, will have to pull all the stops out, starting back in 9th and 17th positions, on a circuit that he is still familiarising with.

Quote, unquote:

Dimitri Enjalbert: "It's great! This is the sixth time on the run I'll be starting from the front row. With Jonathan Hirschi next to me, it promises to be a good fight. I can't wait for the race. All my friends have come along. I'm happy to have got pole for them. I just hope I can give them a win!".

Jonathan Hirschi: "I'm a little disappointed because we're really very close. But after all it's only one championship point. I'm hoping for a slight change in pattern after four consecutive wins for Dimitri. My aim is to break this spiral and also get the lead back from Mike Verschuur and keep it to the end". Fabrice Walfisch: "I'm very satisfied to have qualified in third position. But there's still a significant gap with the two drivers up front. I can really feel it behind the wheel. For the moment, we have a good setup but there's still something to be done tire-wise. I'll try to put in a good performance to get on the podium!".

-credit: wsr