Thiriet by TDS Finalizes Driver Lineup

Photo: Thiriet by TDS Racing

Thiriet by TDS Racing will head into the 2016 European Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans with a refreshed driver lineup, with Ryo Hirakawa having been confirmed as its third driver.

The Japanese driver, who is part of Toyota’s Young Drivers program, will join Pierre Thiriet and the previously-announced Mathias Beche in the team’s Oreca 05 Nissan.

Previously, Hirakawa has won titles in karts and the Porsche Carrera Cup Japan, before racing in Super Formula Japan and Super GT.

As well as his experience with Rebellion Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Beche has already teamed up with Thiriet and the pair even won the 2012 ELMS championship together.

In addition to the Swiss driver, the partnership between TDS and Rebellion Timepieces can be seen on the car’s livery, designed by Gaazmaster Motorsport.

The French squad will enter Le Mans for the sixth consecutive year, utilizing the same trio of drivers from its ELMS campaign.

It will be looking to improve on its runner-up positions at the French endurance classic in 2012 and 2014.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.