Le Mans – Vanthoor fielded by Michael Shank Racing

The LM P2 category should welcome a new arrival next June in Sarthe with the Michael Shank Racing. The American team, present on the first list of guests revealed recently, announced today that it would like to enter a Ligier JS P2, powered by a Honda unit, in the double round of the World Championship.Endurance. Onroak Automotive and Honda will be technical partners in this engagement which will begin with the Test Day on June 5.

For this, Mike Shank decided to trust a trio composed of the American John Pew, the Brazilian Oswaldo Negri and the Belgian Laurens Vanthoor. The driver, accustomed to GT events in the Blancpain Series in particular, had already been able to discover the 24 Hours last year, already in a Ligier JS P2 alongside Kevin Estre and Chris Cumming.

“We are delighted to have someone like Laurens with us, comments Mike Shank. I met him last year at Le Mans and followed his race. In fact, I told John (Pew) that if we did Le Mans, we had to consider it for the crew.

I always had him in my mind and we're happy we were able to get him signed. I'm very happy that I was able to bring everything together to make this possible. This is the biggest challenge we face as a group and we are very, very motivated to do well. »

“I am beyond excited to join Michael Shank Racing for Le Mans, underlines Vanthoor for his part. Racing at Le Mans is a goal for every driver and especially for me, with my links to Audi, it is a dream to be victorious at Le Mans. Racing for the second time with the same package as the first time is definitely an advantage, I know what to expect and that gives me an advantage.

I have always been keen to develop in the United States and starting an adventure with Michael Shank Racing for Le Mans, can hopefully continue with other collaborations in the future. » Before Le Mans, Shank Racing is in action this weekend at the Roar Before the Rolex 24, a preliminary test session for the 24 Hours of Daytona (Florida), the opening event of the 2016 WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest press conference, which will reveal the complete list of teams and crews selected for the 84th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the WEC, will take place on February 5 in Paris.