17
July
2017
|
10:12 AM
Europe/Amsterdam

European Le Mans set for Austria with Dunlop teams approaching season mid-point

  • Tockwith Motorsport Ligier
    Tockwith Motorsport Ligier
  • United Autosports Ligier
    United Autosports Ligier
  • Celitar Villorba Corse Dallara
    Celitar Villorba Corse Dallara
  • ELMS start at Monza
    ELMS start at Monza
  • ELMS Ferraris - Spirit of Race and JMW Motorsport
    ELMS Ferraris - Spirit of Race and JMW Motorsport
  • Beechdean AMR Vantage
    Beechdean AMR Vantage
  • Soft and Medium compounds nominated in both Dunlop classes
  • Championship resumes after strong Le Mans 24 Hours for Dunlop teams
  • Three LMP2 manufacturers in top three in standings
  • Close battle for lead in LM GTE

After a break which saw many of Dunlop’s teams and drivers competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours, European Le Mans Series (ELMS) racing resumes in Austria on 23rd July.

Red Bull Ring sees both ELMS classes using the Dunlop Soft and Medium compounds for 2017’s four-hour race. The Red Bull Ring represents one of the extremes that the Dunlop tyres are designed for. Silverstone saw high speeds and high energy corners followed by Monza’s high load, high speed track with challenges such as the Parabolica. Given the restriction of three tyre specifications for the season, the Red Bull Ring’s combination of nine turns in a short lap places an emphasis on braking and traction and gives the teams and drivers the challenge of a completely different environment. Dunlop’s track support is more important than ever at this track, and working closely with the teams to optimise performance for each car and driver is fundamental to success on track.

Eleven of the 13 headlining LMP2 class teams have chosen to compete on Dunlop tyres. Four cars finished in the Le Mans 24 Hours LMP2 top-ten; the #32 United Autosports Ligier (4th), the #40 Graff Oreca (5th), the Celitar Villorba Corse Dallara (7th) and the Tockwith Motorsports Ligier (9th).

In the ELMS standings, G-Drive Racing (Oreca) leads the series following the win in Italy, followed by United Autosports (Ligier), the Silverstone victors, and High Class Racing (Dallara).

In the single tyre supplier LM GTE class, six cars will continue the fight for the title in Austria. TF Sport (Aston Martin) currently tops the standings ahead of JMW Motorsport (Ferrari). With the points being close, this third of six rounds could prove crucial in the quest to top the table going into the second-half of the season.

Dunlop’s 2017 specifications proved very successful during the Le Mans 24 Hours, with all three options capable of at least quadruple stints. In the ELMS, shorter races and driving times change the requirements on the tyres, and Dunlop’s engineers will be working with the teams to optimise each car and tyre set-up for the Red Bull Ring.


The European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Red Bull Ring starts at 13.00 local time on Sunday 23rd July.

Entry list including Dunlop teams can be found here​​: