After completing the official ACO test last weekend, the Caterham Motorsport team has arrived at Le Mans ahead of its debut in the legendary 24 Hour race next week (June 22-23). Competing in the LMP2 category, the final step before the race commences will come on Wednesday and Thursday when Caterham’s position on the grid will be determined during qualifying.
Caterham F1 Team reserve driver and Caterham Racing GP2 driver, Alexander Rossi, will share driving duties with double LMP2 class-winner, Tom Kimber-Smith and rising sportscar driver, Eric Lux.
Caterham Technology CEO Mike Gascoyne, who will lead the team, is aiming high. “The team, the drivers and the car are all ready. There are so many factors that will play a part during an event like this but we have the expertise to succeed and you always go into a motor race aiming to win,” he said.
The Malaysian-owned sportscar manufacturer’s participation in the 90th anniversary of Le Mans will also allow it to investigate the viability of producing a customer package in the future. Gascoyne added: “We are expecting to learn a great deal and this will serve us well when assessing the viability of a possible new business stream in the sports prototype market.”
The race will be Rossi’s first international sportscar racing event, forming part of his wider motorsport development under the guidance of Caterham. “The lure of Le Mans is like no other motor racing event – it is a one-off in that sense and I am proud to be competing should-to-shoulder with our team and co-drivers.
“With the official test complete and a number of laps under our belt, I feel very comfortable and confident. I desperately want our team, myself and my co-drivers to do well. We are also all very aware how important it is to have a reliable car that run the distance and be competitive. It is time to get down to business,” the 22-year old American said.
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Good luck. It’s going to be tough for a first timer. I hope they can at least finish the race.
I wonder why they don’t get our Alex Yoong or our up and coming drivers now racing in Europe?
Alex Yoong has done enough with Le Mans series in fact ACO or WEC teams didn’t invited him to race this years 90th anniversary historic race. His personal best was 8th placing in Le Mans 2007 along with Jan Charouz and Stefan Mucke pilot Charouz Racing System LMP1 powered by Judd engine.
Good. At least they are far realistic than proton and lotus under crappy DRB.
Wanna see more Tony’s magic.
Lotus is with Rebellion Racing LMP1 as a technical partner in this year event.
http://www.lotuscars.com/gb/racing/lmp1
4 years in F1, still not a single point to show. And oh, the football team now also going back to the league where they’re belong. What Tony’s magic u refers to again…?
It more towards to risk business opportunities, whether you gain or lose…it’s about business as usual for Tony F. If you can’t make it in F1, perhaps you can try your luck in other racing division such as Indy Car, touring car or even Le Mans for betterment.