First start for Young Driver in the world’s most famous 24h race - 07.06.2010

Next weekend, (12./13. June), a dream will come true for the Young Driver AMR-team. The Aston Martin-team will start in the world‘s famous endurance race, the 78. edition of the 24 Heures of Le Mans. Young Driver AMR is the only team that races with the Aston Martin DBR9, a car that won its class at Le Mans in both 2007 and 2008. Since the first 24 Heures of Le Mans back in 1923, the French endurance classic has not only become the worlds most famous endurance race and one of the three most prestigious races in motorsport beside the Grand Prix of Monaco and the Indianapolis 500, with more than 250.000 spectators it‘s also the biggest single sport event in Europe. Most teams prepare 364 days only for these 24 hours, the hardest 24 in racing.

Part of the Le Mans Legend is the epic, 13.629 meter long ‘Circuit de la Sarthe’. The track combines a permanent racetrack with typical French public roads ­ an exciting cocktail with an overall average speed of +200km/h! Le Mans is in many ways different to other races. To race at Le Mans, you have to be selected by the organising club ACO from a great number of potential entries. “It’s a real honour for us, that the ACO choose Young Driver AMR as the only Aston Martin-team in the GT1-class”, Young Driver AMR team boss Hardy Fischer is pleased to wave the Aston Martin flag at Le Mans.

The Young Driver AMR-driver squad at Le Mans featuring Christoffer Nygaard (DK), Tomas Enge (CZ) and Peter Kox (NL), is a good mix of speed, experience and youth, a perfect combination at Le Mans. Peter Kox is the most experienced member of the Young Driver AMR team, as the Dutchman starts his 13th Le Mans this year. “We have a well sorted and proven car and a really good team”, Peter Kox says. “I had success with Tomas at Le Mans in the past, together we won the GT1-class in 2003. Although the team is new at Le Mans, they have very strong key personal and they really know what they are doing. So we are in a very good position to fight for the class victory.”

Enge has been ‘Mr. GT1-Pole-Position’ at Le Mans in recent years. In six starts in the GT1-class, he claimed the class Pole Position five times. This year will mark the fifth time, that the former Formula 1-driver will share a car at Le Mans with Peter Kox. “I really would like to continue my series of Pole Positions in the GT1-class”, Tomas Enge says. “Although to claim the pole at Le Mans is not really important, it’s always nice to be on Pole. But what matters is the race. Le Mans is all about running, fast and consistent. The most important thing is to keep the car on the track, save the car as much as possible and race like clockwork. The race will be difficult, but we have a proven car that won the class already two times, and also a strong team, that did perfect work in our races in the GT1-World Championship so far.”

Third driver at Le Mans is ‘Young Driver’ Christoffer Nygaard. The young Dane is a Le Mans debutant, and will make his first start at Le Mans this year. “I’m quite excited, there is more and more tension building up every day”, Christoffer Nygaard says. “I haven’t raced at Le Mans yet, but my teammates are very experienced there and I hope they will teach me everything about the track and the race.” The Aston Martin DBR9 is proven winner at Le Mans. This year will mark the sixth time the V12-engine-powered car will start at Le Mans. Aston Martin won the GT1-class at the Le Mans with this car in 2007 and 2008. “It’s our first time at Le Mans, but we have a good car, experienced drivers and a good team. The team showed a perfect pit work, one among many things that are crucial at Le Mans”, Young Driver AMR team boss Hardy Fischer is confident about the first Le Mans assault of his team. “I expect that we will have a good race pace, but the most important thing at Le Mans to finish the race.”

While the Young Driver AMR trucks are already on their way to France, the team will travel to Le Mans on Sunday. All three drivers will have a special warm up for Le Mans. Tomas Enge and Christoffer Nygaard will compete in a Ford GT of Young Driver AMR sister team Fischer Racing in the Spanish GT championship at Jarama in Spain this weekend, while Kox will race in the British GT Championship at Spa in Belgium.

Follow Young Driver AMR at Le Mans 2010! Daily updates and pictures on www.youngdriver-amr.com and www.fischer-racingteam.de.


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78. edition 24 HOURS LE MANS 2010 SCHEDULE

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