Le Mans Test Day Saturday Notebook

News and notes ahead of Sunday's 24 Hours of Le Mans test day:

LMP2 rain lights changed

The ACO has made a change to the rain lights on the LMP2 cars for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours, after they have been deemed too bright for running in the dark. American outfit DragonSpeed's lead engineer Leon Gutfreund explained to RACER that a software change has had to be made, which dims the rain lights when the drivers turn on the high-beam setting. This will prevent drivers in slower cars from being dazzled when the LMP2 runners come past.

LMP2 top speeds

Manor WEC's John Booth told RACER that the Le Mans aero package for the ORECA 07s could see the top speeds reach 211mph in a straight line.

The team, which received one of its two Le Mans aero kits prior to this week, went out testing at Spa as part of a Toyota-organized two-day session and achieved some incredible top-end speeds.

At the circuit, Manor completed roughly 16 hours of track time with two cars, one in high downforce and one in the low-downforce configuration. The results were positive, with Booth explaining that despite the low-drag kit not suiting the circuits, the car ran well and produced promising lap times.

Also present at the test were Jackie Chan DC Racing, TDS Racing, ByKolles Racing, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Tockwith Motorsports, Ford Performance and DragonSpeed.

Lap time predictions in LMP2

The high top speeds achievable by the new 2017 LMP2 cars are set to break the LMP2 Le Mans lap record during race week, weather permitting. In speaking with Signatech Alpine drivers Gustavo Menezes and Matt Rao, RACER understands that the projected fastest laps are set to be in the 3m26s range, with 3m25s possible in the right conditions. The current record is held by Jos Verstappen, who set a 3m32.301 back in 2008 driving a Porsche RS Spyder.

Menezes also spoke about the team adapting to the new car and fresh drivers this year. The Californian explained that Romain Dumas in particular is still getting up to speed with the performance level and driving style required to get the most out of the ORECA 07s.

"The field is great, it's so competitive, and Romain has had to really work hard on getting used to racing in LMP2, with the Dunlop tires and just the performance of the car in general," Menezes said. "Such a different method of driving is required compared to racing in LMP1. He knows Le Mans like the back of his hand though. I think the WEC runners should be a step above the rest of the 25-car class though, maybe with the exception of the DragonSpeed cars. It will be interesting to see how the Ligiers, Dallaras and Riley perform, though."

Vaxiviere still in doubt

TDS Racing driver Francois Perrodo has confirmed to RACER that the decision on whether or not Matthieu Vaxiviere will race with the team at Le Mans has not yet been made. The Frenchman injured himself in training, putting his chances of racing at Le Mans in doubt.

To ensure the team is prepared should Vaxiviere be unable to race, Dutchman Nicky Catsburg is acting as a reserve driver at the test day, and will step in for the race if called upon.

"Matthieu will drive tomorrow, and then decide on whether or not he can drive after," Perrodo said. "Nicky is also here and will complete his minimum 10 laps. We would like for Matthieu to drive with us, but it's good to have a proper Plan B."

Rees on getting to grips with the C7.R

Larbre Competition driver Fernando Rees says it has been an easy transition getting to grips with driving the Corvette C7.R. In the past, the Brazilian has driven a Corvette with the French team, but more recently has been driving with Aston Martin Racing and its Vantages in the GTE Pro class.

"I was used to racing the C6.R from my time with the team a few years ago," he told RACER. "So when I raced at Monza (with the team in the European Le Mans Series) I got up to speed quickly, but I could really see where the car has developed. The front-end in particular is much better.

"Since Monza we've been out testing at Val de Vienne. That was endurance focused, we also got some night running in too."

TF Sport to pay tribute to Turkish founding father

While many teams have made alterations to their liveries for Le Mans this year, GTE Am team TF Sport's livery has some added historical significance for the race.

Driver Salih Yoluc – who is set to become the first Turkish driver to start the Le Mans 24 Hours this year – alongside teammates Euan Hankey and Rob Bell in the team's Aston Martin Vantage GT3, will race with a Turkish flag on the roof of the car and a picture of the European nation's first President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.