Much Asian Interest in Endurance Classic

Fettling the #39 Lola-Mazda in the pits at Le Mans, June 10, 2009.

Four Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champions are entered in the Le Mans 24 Hours race this week-end: Matthew Marsh (2004); Jonathan Cocker (2005); Tim Sugden of GruppeM Racing (2007); Team Jebsen’s Darryl O’Young (reigning and 2006 champion).

#39, LMP2, Team: KSM
Vehicle: Lola Mazda, 2 ltr. 4 cyl. Turbo, Dunlop
Drivers: Hideki Noda (JP), Matthew Marsh (HK), Jean de Pourtales (FR)

#87, LMGT2, Team: Drayson Racing
Vehicle: Aston Martin V8 Vantage, 4.5 ltr. V8 cyl., Michelin
Drivers: Paul Drayson (UK), Jonny Cocker (UK), Marino Franchitti (UK)

#92, LMGT2, Team: JMW
Vehicle: Ferrari F430, 4.0 ltr. V8 cyl., Dunlop
Drivers: Rob Bell(UK), Andrew Kirkaldy (UK), Tim Sugden (UK)

#75 LMGT2, Team: Endurance Asia Team
Vehicle: Porsche 997 GT3 RSR, 3.8 ltr. flat-6 cyl. , Dunlop
Drivers: Darryl O’Young (HK), Philippe Hesnault (FR), Plamen Kralev (BG)

Other Asian drivers to watch out for are former Le Mans winner Seiji Ara and victor of the Macau G.P. in 2008, Keisuke Kunimoto from Japan:

#5 LMP2, Team: Navi Team Goh
Vehicle: Porsche RS Spyder, 3.4 ltr. V8 cyl., Michelin
Drivers: Sascha Maassen (DE), Seiji Ara (JP), Keisuke Kunimoto (JP)
RLT.