The 92nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans gets underway this Saturday, June 15 at 4pm. A number of Ultimate Cup European Series drivers will be on track for the double clocking lap and the opening races. Here's an overview of those who will have the privilege of racing the 13.626 kilometers of the legendary Sarthe circuit.

 

Absent this season, the LMP2s return to the WEC grid alongside the Hypercars and LMGT3s. In this category, two drivers who took part in the European Endurance Prototype Cup in Portimão will be on the starting grid. At the wheel of the Panis Racing ORECA 07 N°65, Mathias Beche will accompany Rodrigo Sales and Scott Huffaker. The Swiss driver was previously seen with Daniel and Quentin Bassora at DB Autosport in Portugal.

Third in 2022, Laurents Hörr is dreaming of adding a Le Mans victory to his list of honours. The German can count on the support of his team, DKR Engineering, and his N°33 team-mates René Binder and Alexander Mattschull.

A great turnout at Road To Le Mans

No fewer than 12 teams and 19 drivers who took part in one of the first two Ultimate Cup European Series races will be racing at Road To Le Mans (Race 1: Thursday June 13, 6.30pm, Race 2: Saturday June 15, 10.35am).

In LMP3, European Endurance Prototype Cup champions Team Virage are bringing four cars. Bernardo Pinheiro and Georgios Kolovos in the N°8 and Raphael Narac, accompanied by Jacek Zielonka in the N°76, will be on board.

Winner of the first two NP02 races, Graff Racing enters an LMP3. Chinese driver Luo Haowen is partnered by Louis Rossi. In his quest for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the former motorcycle racer has the opportunity to get his bearings on the Sarthe track.

Poleman in the Algarve, Marius Fossard is back with Christophe Lapierre and the Racing Spirit of Leman, with whom he has a year-round commitment in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. His Ultimate Cup European Series team, Bretton Racing, is also present, along with one of his team-mates, Dan Skocdopole.

Adrien Closmenil and David Droux, two of the key players at the start of the season, will be driving for Cool Racing. The former, on pole at Le Castellet, will share the N°87 car with James Sweetnam. The latter, winner of the opening round at Paul Ricard, will support Adrien Chila in the N°97.

MV2S Racing will be represented by two LMP3s. Maxence Maurice and Viacheslav Gutak will team up in the N°28, while Cristophe Cresp and Maximus Mayer will be together in the N°29.

The pairing of Julien Lemoine and Paul Trojani is back with the N°84 ANS Motorsport. Nicolas Schatz will also take part in the race with Clément Moreno in the N°6 car.

LMP2 title holders at the 24H, Inter Europol Competition are bringing two prototypes to Road To Le Mans. Alexander Bukhantsov and Timothy Creswick are among the drivers selected by the Polish team. In addition to their commitment to the showpiece event, DKR Engineering is entrusting its Duqueine M30 - D08 to Ye Pengcheng.

Willyam Gosselin (CD Sport N°2), Ian Aguilera (RLR M Sport N°5), Franck Chappard (CD Sport N°11), Samir Ben (Haegeli by T2 Racing N°67) and Fabien Michal (R-Ace GP N°85) will also be on track. On the team front, Reiter Engineering is entering a Ligier LMP3.

In the GT3 category, Karen Gaillard will be at the wheel of the Iron Dames Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 with Célia Martin.

Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Fun Cup also on track

As is the case every year, other championships have the chance to join in the festivities. In 2024, the lucky ones are the Lamborghini Super Trofeo and the Fun Cup.

The Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 field will be treated to two 45-minute races featuring the CMR team and Quentin Antonel. The first race will take place on Thursday June 13 at 1.15pm, the second on Saturday June 15 at 9.15am.

After their last appearance in 2021, the famous Beetles of the Fun Cup will also be returning to the Sarthe circuit. Over a hundred cars are expected to compete in the 4H race, scheduled to start at 9:00 am on Friday June 14.

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