Dakar Rally 2023: Orange Racing Powered by JMH Shines in Mixed Conditions
In the latest pre-event testing for the Dakar Rally 2023, the Orange Racing powered by JMH team made a strong impression, with Michael O’Brien and Simon Orange securing the fastest lap in the mixed, cold, wet, and drying conditions.
The duo set an impressive time of 1:27.439, showcasing the team’s adaptability to the challenging conditions. The session saw the order constantly changing as the track dried, with drivers like Euan Hankey, Jules Gounon, and Lewis Williamson all taking turns at the top of the timesheets.
“The session saw the order constantly changing as the track dried, with drivers like Euan Hankey, Jules Gounon, and Lewis Williamson all taking turns at the top of the timesheets.”
As the session progressed, teams began to switch to slick tires, with Richard Neary in the Team Abba Mercedes leading the way. Gounon and Martin Plowman were quick to capitalize on the improved grip, setting some impressive lap times in the 1:34s and 1:33s range.
However, it was O’Brien and Orange who ultimately emerged victorious, with their blistering pace in the closing moments securing them the top spot by a margin of 0.679 seconds over Williamson. Hankey finished third in the 7TSix McLaren 720S, while Gounon and Loggie took fourth place.
In the GT4 category, the action was just as intense, with the times fluctuating throughout the one-hour session. Kavi Jundu, the championship debutant, set the early pace in his McLaren 570S, shared with Moh Ritson. However, Tom Edgar and Jordan Collard in the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra soon made their presence felt, with Collard securing 12th place overall, ahead of some of the GT3 runners.
The Dakar Rally 2023 promises to be a thrilling event, and the impressive performance of the Orange Racing powered by JMH team in these pre-event tests has certainly set the stage for an exciting competition.
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