Algarve Pro Confirms 24H Le Mans Lineup, SO24! Deal

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Algarve Pro Racing has confirmed that Mark Patterson and Vincent Capillaire will join the team’s full-season European Le Mans Series driver Matt McMurry in its Ligier JS P217 Gibson for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Patterson and SO24!-backed driver Capillaire take the seats of Andrea Pizzitola and Andrea Roda, who are confirmed alongside the 19-year-old American for the full ELMS season.

The defending Asian Le Mans Series champions will be making its second Le Mans start in a stacked LMP2 field.

Frenchman Capillaire brings his SO24! backing to the team, after partnering with the now-defunct SO24! by Lombard team last year.

“A good partnership is born as Algarve Pro Racing grows every year and they are fully-prepared with a great driver lineup,” Capillaire said.

“I have a lot of respect for Mark, he’s very experienced. Matt is fast and both are really nice guys. I’m determined to get involved in this program to deliver the best possible result.”

Patterson, who like McMurry also drove for the team in the Asian LMS this past season, will be making his fifth start in the French endurance classic.

“After the recent success with Algarve, I couldn’t be happier signing up with Vincent and Matt for Le Mans,” he said. “The LMP2 field is chock-a-block with talent and we look forward to a thrilling race where, as usual, anything can happen.”

McMurry, meanwhile, is set for his second appearance at La Sarthe, after becoming the youngest-ever driver to start the race in 2014, also in LMP2.

“I was a wet-behind-the-ears 16-year old back then and it will be a much more comfortable experience this time around. I’m glad to be going there with a team I’m familiar with and Mark and Vincent in the driver lineup,” McMurry said.

John Dagys

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