24h Le Mans
In 2013, KCMG became the first Chinese team to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, then scored its first victories in the Asian Le Mans Series before moving on to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2014. An update from team owner Paul Ip.
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Photo : Arnaud CORNILLEAU / ACO
Despite being forced to retire at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, KCMG did well with its entry in the World Championship, with two podium finishes in the first two rounds at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. For its chassis, the Chinese team went from Morgan to Oreca this year, and kept the Nissan engine, and in less than two years has become a major player in the LM P2 class. "With the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the FIA World Endurance Championship is for us the most competitive form of endurance, says Paul Ip. The LM P2 class was the best choice for the team because prototypes are the essence of Le Mans. The LM P1 class could interest us in the future, but for now LM P2 is the class we need to be in. The regulations and costs are stable, which facilitates budgeting and planning. We will keep an eye on the LM P1-L class (LM P1 prototypes do not use hybrid technology) in the coming year, but for now we are fully focused on LM P2."
Beyond endurance, as of the announcement of KCMG's participation at the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, Paul Ip revealed his desire to put together the first Chinest Formula 1 team. He also expressed interest in Formula E which will launch precisely in China, at Beijing, on September 14th: "We are going to follow the inaugural season of Formula E closely and pay special attention to the way fans, sponsors and investors respond to the new format. Formula 1 remains the ultimate goal for KCMG, but it is a very long-term project for us and for now we are channeling all of our resources into ongoing projects." On KCMG's immediate agenda is to score its first victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), currently third in the provisional rankings of the LM P2 team trophy. The next race is at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on September 20th.
Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, WEDNESDAY JUNE 11 2014, FREE PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING. For its second participation at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, KCMG once again qualified in the top 10 of the LM P2 class before being forced to retire.
