CHARLIE ROBERTSON, a 17-year-old from Aberfoyle, has been announced as partner for the Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy for the 2015 European Le Mans Series.
The pair will drive for the British manufacturer Ginetta team which is backed by the global motoring powerhouse Nissan.
Robertson, the Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup champion who retains strong backing from key sponsor Investigo, and Nissan-backed Sir Chris will join forces as part of the ambitious new Ginetta-Juno LMP3 prototype endurance racing programme, which was officially launched yesterday at the marque's headquarters in Garforth.
Nissan's involvement with the Team LNT 'works' entry into the ELMS next year brings even more impetus and prestige to the project, through which Robertson aims to build on his burgeoning reputation as he makes the full-time move into endurance competition.
Robertson is an example of the career progression which Ginetta's motorsport ladder can provide. Having made his debut in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2011, at the age of just 14 years and three months, he established his credentials immediately and became the youngest winner of an MSA-sanctioned car race.
He finished his first season as vice-champion, then won the Ginetta Junior title the following year. After a switch to single-seaters in 2013, he became a multiple race winner on his way to third in the BRDC Formula 4 Championship. On his return to the Ginetta team this year, he won the Ginetta GT4 SuperCup crown at his first attempt after a sensational campaign.
Having been identified as a British Racing Drivers' Club Rising Star, he received the Henry Surtees trophy at the BRDC annual awards lunch on Monday at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London after the club declared the teenager to have delivered "the most outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star" in 2014.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be racing in the European Le Mans Series with Ginetta and Nissan in 2015," he said. "I can hardly believe my team-mate will be Sir Chris Hoy; he is a sporting legend and I know I will learn so much as we pursue the same goal of racing in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
"It's incredible to think that, only four years ago, I joined the Ginetta family as a Junior Championship driver and, in 2015, I'll be testing a Ginetta-Nissan LMP3 at Le Mans and competing with Sir Chris Hoy in the full European Le Mans Series. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, so a massive thank you has to go to Lawrence [Tomlinson, Ginetta Cars chairman] and my sponsors Investigo."
Hoy, Britain's most successful Olympian and most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time, made his true endurance motorsport debut in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship this year at the wheel of a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 racer.
"I'm delighted to be stepping up to race in the European Le Mans Series for Nissan next year," he said. "It takes me another step closer to my motorsport dream of competing at Le Mans. This year was a great experience racing in the British GT Championship but I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn to bridge the gap to be competitive at Le Mans. I'm excited to be joining Charlie [Robertson], who's already achieved so much in his motor racing career."
Since purchasing sportscar manufacturer Juno in early August, Ginetta Cars Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson and the Team LNT designers and engineers have been working hard to ensure the LMP3 project hits the ground running. Coupled with the prestigious Nissan partnership, the signing of Charlie to partner Sir Chris Hoy underlines Ginetta's commitment to success in the ELMS.
"I'm delighted Sir Chris is joining our LMP3 project, he is the ultimate sportsman, and it's a very proud moment to see Charlie, who started his career in our Ginetta Junior Championship, now reaching the top levels of endurance racing", said Tomlinson, "It shows how Ginetta can take you from karting all the way to the pinnacle of motorsport. What a fantastic way to end 2014, 2015 is set to be an exhilarating year."
2015 European Le Mans Series Calendar
Rd 1 - Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit, UK - April 10/11
Rd 2 - Imola, Italy - May 16/17
Rd 3 - Red Bull Ring, Austria - July 11/12
Rd 4 - Paul Ricard, France - September 5/6
Rd 5 - Estoril, Portugal - October 17/18
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