Nigel Mansell has targetted an outright win at Le Mans, after receiving an entry for this year's race.
The 1992 Formula One world champion will race in the 24 Hours for the first time this year, sharing an LMP1 Ginetta-Zytek with his sons Leo and Greg.
"I'm extremely happy that we have been granted an entry by the ACO," Mansell said. "It has only been one month since we announced the formation of Beechdean Mansell Motorsport and our intention to compete in the LMS.
"We're under no illusions about the chances of winning Le Mans at the first attempt, but we will be competitive in 2010 and a lot can happen in a 24-hour race.
"The 2010 entry is just the beginning. We're here for the long haul and have our sights firmly set on becoming on of the leading teams in international endurance racing, and winning the Le Mans 24 Hours in the near future."
Mansell will also drive the car in selected LMS rounds this year, alongside Leo and Greg who will contest the full season.
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Re: Mansell aims for Le Mans win
Nicko22, last i heard you weren't given titles for nearly or bad luck, it's what goes down in the record books,thanks for the info on what criteria makes a 24hour racing driver, and by the way i did wish him all the best.
Re: Mansell aims for Le Mans win
Stupid commenting system. Won't let me put paragraphs into my comment. Please fix.
Re: Mansell aims for Le Mans win
Peter, Of course it's a method of promotion for his new business. One of the most famous and successful British racing drivers ever decides to enter the one area of top-level four wheeled motorsport that has eluded him? That's guaranteed to generate headlines around the world! As to why older guys do well in this medium - I'm not sure whether you mean LeMans/enduros specifically or tin-top/sportscar racing, but if it's enduros, it's easy - older bodies are better at endurance. That's how the body works - less sprint capability but better at endurance as time goes by. And that experience means you are relaxed and waste less energy when racing - a key ingredient when fast, consistent times are what win enduros. This also means they are less likely to bin it. As for Mansell not being the talent Schumacher was? Don't make me laugh. World champion (twice were it not for bad luck), Indycar champion and still the top of the named F1 drivers' leaderboard on Top Gear, beating Hamilton and Button in the process, he is not just fast, but stupidly so. Admittedly, Schumacher's only lap on the Top Gear track was a joke, but remember, in Mansell's final GP win, at the Australian GP in '94 (and at the ripe old age of 41), he out-qualified both Damon Hill and Schumacher. I'm glad you wish him well, and I do too.