TDS Racing Reveals Blancpain Lineups

TDS Racing has announced its driver lineups for the 2014 Blancpain Endurance Series. The French squad will enter a pair of BMW Z4 GT3 cars in the Pro-Am category of the series this season.

Henry Hassid will remain with TDS, but his teammate will no longer be Ludovic Badey this year. Badey moves up into the European Le Mans Series and his seat  in the No. 12 BMW Z4 GT3 will be taken by 26-year-old Dutchman Nick Catsburg.

Catsburg is a familiar name to TDS. Seven victories and four second place finishes from 13 races resulted in the Dutchman clinching the Eurocup Mégane Trophy title with the team back in 2010. Last year Catsburg competed in the Blancpain Endurance Series with the Marc VDS Racing Team BMW.

“I am happy to drive with Henry Hassid in Pro Am. I think he is one of the strongest Am drivers. I think we can do a pretty good job. I know the BMW Z4 very well because I have driven it since 2011. The car suits my driving style and with the experience I have from this car, I think it can help us to have good results,” Catsburg said.

“Normally, this car does pretty well. In terms of balance of performance, it is never the fastest, it is never the slowest. But over a season, it is really competitive and quite fast! I am confident for this season and my objective is to win the Pro Am Championship together with Henry Hassid.”

The No. 10 BMW Z4 GT3 will be driven by French trio Benjamin Lariche, Eric Clement and 2011 and 2012 ELMS GTE-Am champion Nicolas Armindo. Clement and Armindo raced together at SMG Challenge in the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2013.

“Although I have already a busy program, I wanted to take part in the Blancpain Endurance Series because it is an important championship,” said Nicolas Armindo.

“I wanted to compete it with the TDS Racing for several reasons. First because I have been knowing Xavier Combet for a long time, we were opponents in Formula Renault. Moreover, the team has developed a lot, starting from the European Megane Trophy Championship and finishing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It proves that it is a world class team.”

“We had tried to work together several times in the past but it had never come true. I am really happy it can be possible now. I have never driven the BMW Z4 GT3. But I have already driven a lot of GTs, almost all GTs I mean! I am looking forward to testing it because this car seems to be great! The target of our line-up is to win.”

Additional drivers for the Total 24 Hours of Spa will be announced at a later date.