Photo : OLIVIER BEROUD / VSA

 

Passion is surely what drives Benoît Morand whose team has been competing in its second season in the LM P2 class of the ELMS after having changed names in the off-season - going from Morand Racing to NewBlood by Morand Racing. Some new blood indeed, with the confirmation of Christian Klien, former official Peugeot driver (third at the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans) and Aston Martin, only freelancing in 2013, and Gary Hirsch, 2013 ELMS LM PC champion.

On the other hand, the team kept its Morgan, designed by Onroak Automotive, and powered by Judd BMW. The package was consistent this year, with only one retirement, at Imola, following an engine issue. Certainly, it took until the next-to-last round of the season, at the Circuit Paul Ricard, to reach the highest step on the podium, but the NewBlood by Morand Racing team, failing to win the title, was able to garner satisfaction with the honourary title of Man of the Year, given to its boss by his ELMS peers.

After a learning curve year in 2013, the Swiss team confirmed its potential in 2014 and Benoît Morand has no intentions of stopping there after the third place finale in the ELMS. He is looking to go a step further and enter the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2015. His outfit has already rubbed elbows with some championship competitors while participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and by crossing the finish line these last two years.

Cécile Bonardel / 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. Benoît Morand, founder and head of the NewBlood by Morand Racing team, has been awarded the honourary title of ELMS Man of the Year.