Lucas Lasserre to partner Dean in LMS
Team LNT Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson has been forced to withdraw from competing in this year’s Le Mans Series due to pressing business commitments. As a result, Frenchman Lucas Lasserre will now partner Richard Dean in the #82 car.
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| Lucas Lasserre |
“It’s a decision I’ve had to make due to mounting pressure and the importance of a number of projects” said Tomlinson. “Each LMS race, and the surrounding tests, effectively mean I’m unable to provide support to other commitments I have. Among other things, we have the new Ginetta G50 project currently in a very important stage of development.
"This car will be the next generation of Ginettas and is designed to celebrate the company’s 50th Anniversary in 2008. We are working really hard to get that built, tested and out in time for a launch early next year”.
Richard Dean added, “Lucas Lasserre drove the LNT Panoz at Pembrey in February and he was quick so I’ve every faith in his ability to deliver. It’s a tough call, because his first race is in just over a week’s time and there’s hardly any testing”
Lucas has 33 race wins to his name, 57 podium finishes, is a Renault Sport Technology Test driver, and is no stranger to Sportscar racing.
The 29-year old from Pau, France, raced a Chrysler Viper GTS-R in 2005 and 2006, competed in the French Tourism Championship and was a Porsche Carrera Cup test driver in 2004 having graduated from a single-seater background racing Formula Renaults and in F3.
“I was very surprised when Richard called me to offer the drive” said Lucas. “I was surprised with the car in Pembrey. The whole thing was really good. I must have done a good job there for Richard to call me!
I am very happy and proud to be joining Team LNT - I will give them my best. My project in Japan was closed so this opportunity is perfect. “
Although having to relinquish his LMS driver this year, the 24h Le Mans driver line-up remains unchanged and so Tomlinson will still be seen at La Sarthe in the 2006 GT2 class-winning Panoz, sharing his car with Dean and hoping for a consecutive win in the 24 hours!
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Lucas with Engineer Simon Finnis at Pembrey
in February |
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