By alley - Jun 3, 2015, 5:01 AM ET

Factory teams join mini Le Mans test

The four LMP1 manufacturers all took advantage of a special test day on the Le Mans-Bugatti circuit yesterday as they continued their preparations for the 24 Hours next week.

Audi used the test on the permanent circuit at Le Mans to shake down its three R18 e-tron quattros, which were rebuilt following the Le Mans Test Day on Sunday. Benoit Treluyer, Lucas di Grassi and Rene Rast drove the cars.

Audi Sport Team Joest boss Ralf Juttner said: "We took advantage of the two runs to carry out the usual checks because we've completely rebuilt the cars since Sunday; we were just verifying that everything's OK."

Porsche, which was limited in its track time due to the WEC's testing restrictions, bedded in parts ahead of the double-points round of the World Endurance Championship, which kicks off practice and qualifying next Wednesday.

Toyota had all six of its drivers present and practiced pit stops and changing components.

Nissan continued its test program with the GT-R LM NISMO and focused on one car.

LMP1 privateer Rebellion Racing also ran its two AER-engined R-Ones at the Bugatti test.

OAK Racing gave Kevin Estre – who missed the test day because he was racing in the Pirelli World Challenge at Detroit – more seat time in the Ligier-Honda JSP2 LMP2 coupe.
The French squad also ran its sister Nissan-powered car, which was driven by Gustavo Yacaman and Luis Felipe "Pipo" Derani from the sister G-Drive team to help its regular drivers set up the car.

Signatech Alpine, KCMG and SMP Racing with its new BR Engineering coupes also took part in the test.