LC CUP Manche 2 · Pré Finale Race⏱ 2h31

The 150-minute Pré Finale endurance race at Pôle Mécanique Karting Alès (1,200 m circuit) took place on 12 September 2026, bringing together 29 teams on a demanding programme. At the end of 150 minutes of racing, Scuderia Varoise 1 (kart #8) crossed the line first with 120 laps completed, holding off DR Competition (kart #9) by just 8.714 seconds — a razor-thin margin for a race of this length.

2 Gars 1 Fille (kart #21) completed the podium, also on 120 laps but 1:03.207 adrift of the winner. Kart Max (kart #29) and Speedcar (kart #15) rounded out the top five, both finishing on 119 laps. The best lap of the entire race was set by Caterham (kart #25) in 1:09.647.

The analysis reveals a fascinating gap between on-track pace and final classification. DR Competition posted the strongest median pace of the field at 1:10.661 — a fraction quicker than winner Scuderia Varoise 1's 1:10.743 — yet crossed the line second. Both teams maintained stable pace throughout their stints, with Scuderia Varoise 1 showing exemplary consistency (standard deviation: 0.62 s) and DR Competition only marginally less so (0.79 s).

The standout performer in terms of strategy was 2 Gars 1 Fille, who finished 3rd overall despite ranking only 8th in pure pace (median 1:11.326 s). Their consistency (σ = 0.72 s) and stable rhythm across 116 timed laps allowed them to capitalise on competitors' difficulties and convert pace into a podium position.

At the other end of the spectrum, Caterham (kart #25) set the fastest lap of the race and ranked 4th in pure pace (median lap time not detailed in top tier, but pace ranking confirmed), yet crossed the line in only 14th place — one of the sharpest contrasts between raw speed and final result in this race. Imagine (kart #4) also displayed a strong pace ranking (3rd in median pace, 1:11.199 s) while finishing 7th, similarly suggesting that factors beyond outright speed influenced the outcome.

The most consistent team of the race was ASAM 1 (kart #13), recording a standard deviation of just 0.61 s across their stint — the tightest in the field — finishing 9th with 117 laps. At the opposite end, H2 (kart #23) showed the highest variability among the analysed teams (σ = 1.48 s), finishing 6th on 119 laps despite ranking only 7th in pure pace.

Further down the order, Objectif Cévennes (kart #31) completed only 40 laps, the lowest tally of any classified finisher, while VIA Experts (kart #10) finished 29th and last with 106 laps.

Key takeaways for teams: This Pré Finale at Alès confirmed that raw pace alone does not win endurance races. Scuderia Varoise 1 triumphed by combining a very strong median lap time with outstanding consistency. 2 Gars 1 Fille's podium with a mediocre pace ranking is a reminder that a stable, disciplined rhythm over 150 minutes can outperform faster but less consistent rivals. Conversely, Caterham's result shows that peak speed without sustained performance across the race yields nothing at the chequered flag.