Kimber-Smith in LNT Panoz for Le Mans

21 year old Tom Kimber-Smith will make his Le Mans 24 hour debut for Team LNT at this year’s event. Kimber-Smith will stand in for original entry Warren Hughes as Team LNT have agreed to release Hughes to pursue a seat with a LMP2 or prototype team.

LNT Automotive Managing Director Richard Dean commented “Warren was originally set to drive the Panoz and bring his considerable Le Mans experience to the team but we have agreed he should be able to pursue his ambition in the top classes for a potential win overall. Let’s not forget Warren won at Le Mans in LMP2 last year”.

Lawrence Tomlinson, LNT Group chairman has shown a particular interest in Kimber-Smith’s development as a sports car driver. “Tom has really progressed so quickly in sports cars this year with his performances at Sebring, the British GT Championship and only this month with a great drive to help the team to second place in the LMS at Spa Francorchamps" said Tomlinson.

“Our sponsors want Tom and so it is a great opportunity for him. The team as a whole are excited about the chance to challenge for the podium. We have some great young drivers on our books and I hope to see the young British drivers coming through the ranks just like Tom has done”.

LNT are currently adding the finishing touches to the Team’s Le Mans assault with a full pre Le Mans rebuild to two of the three Esperante’s back at the team's Yorkshire base. The third chassis undergoing complete chassis up rebuild next week in preparation for the next round of the LMS at Nurburgring.

“It is a busy time in the workshop with the three car staff working to pretty tight deadlines and a full race schedule” continued Dean. “People forget we are still developing this car - yet we have been on the podium five times, qualified on the front row four times and never been out of the top six in any event we have done including the FIA, LMS, BGT & ALMS championships”.

Team LNT June events:

June 4th                         Le Mans pre-qualifying
June 17th & 18th            Le Mans 24 hours
June 25th                       Mondello Park, S. Ireland British GT Championship