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24H Le Mans

KCMG Anticipating 24H Le Mans Entry with Reserve Car

KCMG preparing Oreca 03 Judd for possible 24H Le Mans effort…

Photo: John Dagys

Photo: John Dagys

While currently sitting as the first reserve entrant, KCMG is optimistic that its No. 49 Oreca 03 Judd will take part in next month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Hong Kong-backed team has pushed ahead with preparations for its second LMP2 entry, confirming Christian Klien, Tomonobu Fujii and Satoshi Hoshino as drivers for the test day next weekend.

It comes in addition to its already confirmed, FIA World Endurance Championship season-long Oreca 05 Nissan for Nicolas Lapierre, Richard Bradley and Matt Howson.

“Granted that the No. 49 LMP2 lands a spot in Le Mans, it will be KCMG’s most aggressive campaign at La Sarthe,” said KCMG WEC team manager Eric Kolb.

“Preparations are well underway and as we anticipate the possibility of securing a second entry. Christian, Fujii and Hoshino will take part in the official Le Mans test at the end of the month.”

Should the car be awarded an entry, it would mark Klien’s third different prototype he’s driven this year, after taking part in the opening two rounds of the FIA WEC season with ByKolles Racing and testing Team SARD-Morand’s Morgan LMP2 Evo Judd.

“Obviously, we are the first team on the reserve list, which still means we have to wait and see if we get the starting slot for the race,” Klien said.

“My teammates Fujii and Hoshino will compete for the first time in Le Mans. I will try to support and help them as much as possible with my experience on the test day to be ready for the big race.

“I think we will have a competitive car with the Oreca 03 Judd as it has shown that its fast and more importantly reliable for such a long race.”

It’s unclear what car could potentially be on the brink of withdrawing from the race.

Nissan has reaffirmed plans to run all three of its LMP1-class GT-R LM NISMOs, while Team AAI has confirmed a full driver lineup for its two Porsche GTE-Am entries.

Both Formula Racing and Gulf UK Racing, which currently sit second and third on the reserve list, respectively, have also confirmed driver lineups in the event of further withdrawals.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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