24h Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans team members are a mixed bunch, but amateurs and team managers alike have all worked their way up the endurance racing ladder to reach the classic French race. Today, the spotlight is on Alexandre Coigny, driver of Cool Racing's #42 ORECA 07-Gibson.
Team: Cool Racing
Class: LMP2
Car and Drivers:
#42 ORECA 07-Gibson driven by Nicolas Lapierre, Antonin Borga and Alexandre Coigny
Auto racing is a passion for Swiss entrepreneur Alexandre Coigny, and endurance racing in particular is a discipline in which he has risen through the ranks. From his start in Funyo to his move to VdeV then the Michelin Le Mans Cup and lastly the European Le Mans Series, he is a driver looking to learn. "I think it is crucial to evolve step by step before taking on the highest level, no matter your discipline. The system in place is extremely good and that's why I chose it." This is a perfect example to show the rise of the endurance pyramid designed by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest.
After two seasons in LMP3 with Cool Racing and a Ligier JS P3, Coigny jumped to LMP2 in 2019. He reached the podium in his third race, at Barcelona, and then kicked off the 2019-2020 season with a win at Silverstone, his first in the LMP2 class. Often in the points, he will take the start in the 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans as a rookie, but Coigny is good to go.
With two seasons in LMP2 under his belt and a first experience at the great circuit, he feels confident. "The first time I raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit for Road to Le Mans (a support race, Ed.), it was magical." He can certainly count on his teammates: four-time winner Nicolas Lapierre is always a major contender in the LMP2 class! "Nico is an enormous asset for the team and for me. His experience in the class is indispensable for doing things correctly in the proper order. In addition to his technical expertise, he is extremely generous in sharing information and knowledge. And he's just an all-around great guy."
Coigny does not speak of winning Le Mans, but it is clearly one of his goals. Though he is the boss of private airline company Cool Aviation, he knows how to focus on what is at hand. "Our first goal is to finish the race and then to finish as high on the list of driver line-ups with a Bronze driver as possible. For the rest, Le Mans will decide." After this running of the 24 Horus of Le Mans, Coigny has a long-term objective. "We would like the team to continue to make progress and for other gentleman-drivers to follow the same well-structured path. To become a top notch team through seriousness and professionalism is the idea."
PHOTOS (Copyright - race-film.de)
