Photo : Arnaud CORNILLEAU / ACO

 

In 2013 Morand Racing completed a remarkable first season in the LM P2 category, clinching three podium finishes in five races as well as the top 5 in the ELMS final standings with a Judd-powered Morgan using Dunlop tyres. In 2014 this package intends battle for victories and title.

After taking the runner-up spot with Natacha Gachnang as a team mate in the final round of the 2013 ELMS at the HTTT Paul Ricard circuit, Christian Klien is extending his collaboration with Morand Racing this year. The Austrian will be teaming up with Gary Hirsch, one of the brightest hopes in endurance racing. This driving squad offers a solid mixture of youth and experience: Klien (b. 1983) finished third at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2008 with Peugeot and also started 49 Formula One Grand Prix, and Hirsch (b. 1987) dominated the LMPC category in the 2013 ELMS, winning the title with three wins in a row and two second-place finishes in five races. The name of the third driver will be confirmed within the next few weeks.

Morand Racing also applies to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, after finishing 5th in the LM P2 category in 2013. The list of the 56 invited contenders will be announced on Thursday February 13.

Benoit Morand (team owner): “Our technical combination with Morgan, Judd and Dunlop was very reliable in 2013 and we made some development this winter with Morgan, our engineer and Judd. Our goal in 2014 is to win races and battle for the title. The ELMS will probably be as competitive as in 2013 (and maybe even more!), but we have a good package. Considering the job we made together in the last rounds of the 2013 ELMS, we wanted to extend our collaboration with Christian, and having Gary has always been a top priority. With him we can maintain the Swiss identity of Morand Racing and we are sure that this driving pair will be competitive.”

Christian Klien: “I definitely think we can fight for race wins and for the title this year. Benoit Morand really loves motor sport. I really appreciate when a team boss is really involved and tries to do the best for his team to be successful. Benoit is a true racer and so I am, so it makes things very easy to work together! Finishing second in the final race of 2013 was a good way to end the season and we want to carry on this year. Gary and I met once, I did not know him before but he won the LMPC category in the 2013 ELMS, he is a good driver. We’ll see how things go but I am pretty sure we will make a great pair together.”

Gary Hirsch: “I am very happy to be part of Morand Racing and I would also like to thank my partners. I was an LMPC driver in 2013 and I always kept an eye on the LMP2 teams, and I thought that Morand Racing did a very good job for their first season in this class. I had a very warm welcome from Benoît Morand and the whole team. I also think that I will learn a lot with a team mate of high reputation like Christian, we are getting along very well together. From a technical point of view, we have a good package and I think that we have put all the things together to be in the top positions.”

☛ 2014 European Le Mans Series Calendar
1/2 April Official Test Paul Ricard (FRA)
18/19 April Round 1 Silverstone (GBR)
17/18 May Round 2 Imola (ITA)
19/20 July Round 3 Red Bull Ring (AUT)
13/14 September Round 4 Paul Ricard (FRA)
18/19 October Round 5 Estoril (PRT)

☛ Dates for 2014 24 Heures du Mans
01 June 24 Heures du Mans Test
14/15 June 24 Heures du Mans

Press release by Morand Racing : 23/01/2014