Fascinating first day of testing for the Blancpain GT Series

Fascinating first day of testing for the Blancpain GT Series
The Blancpain GT Series 2014 season has started with the first of two official test days at the Paul Ricard circuit at Le Castellet. No fewer than 42 cars took a shot at the 5,791 km. long ribbon of French asphalt. Most teams were content to perform a thorough shakedown on their cars, but there were some notable exceptions.

It was the #42 Sport Garage Ferrari 458 Italia who had the honour of opening the 2014 season of the Blancpain GT Series. The red machine was the first to leave at 09:00 sharp, closely followed by the #23 Reiter Engineering Camaro GT3. The black American car was one of the sensations of the first day of testing, with its 7,9 litre V8 producing a mesmerizing sound.

The Camaro was not the only newcomer getting its time into the spotlights. The #7 Bentley Continental caused quite a stir in the morning when it positioned itself at the top of the times, almost a second clear of a trio of Audis. But since almost every team focused on getting the right set-up for the cars or giving new drivers the opportunity to get acquainted with their drive for the season, no great importance should be attached to the times set.

Tomorrow is the second and final day of the official test days for the Blancpain GT Series, with a couple of drivers who did not come into action today. Among them reigning FIA GT Series champion Laurens Vanthoor and former Formula One-driver Nelson Piquet jr.