Photo : Michel Legeay - ACO/NIKON

Kronos Racing, who took Sebastien Loeb, to the World Championship Rally in 2006, wants to bring a Lola Aston Martin LMP1 to the next 24 Hours of Le Mans*. Vanina Ickx, daughter of Jacky Ickx six times winner of the event, will be part of the adventure.

Famous for their performance in the WRC, the Belgian team now intends to return to their first love, the race track. In 1999 and 2000, the 306 GTI of Kronos won the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Since then, Jean-Pierre Mondron and Marc Van Dalenhad have been directing their activities towards the World Rally. But as well as entering two Peugeot 207 S2000 in the Monte Carlo Rally (Guy Wilks and Thierry Neuville), the partners announced their return to endurance racing ... By the front door!

Orbello Racing, owners of the Lola Aston Martin LMP1 (ex Team Signature), decided to entrust its operation to Kronos. The agreement covers the 24 Hours of Le Mans* and, other events of the Le Mans Series and  in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. For now, only Vanina Ickx has been mentioned. The Belgian driver has already driven the Lola-Aston Martin at Le Mans and several rounds of the Le Mans Series last year.

Jean-Pierre Mondron, Kronos Racing Manager: "We are very motivated to meet this challenge. Le Mans is a legendary event and to participate would be a great privilege, especially in LM P1 with a car this good. Long ago we wanted to go to endurance events at the highest level and the opportunity that presents itself with Vanina Ickx is exceptional. We are still in early stages of discovery of the car and this new environment, but our team has proven in the past have the capacity to adapt and diversify. All steps have been undertaken and we now await the verdict with decision the selection committee. "

* Subject to acceptance of the nomination by the selection committee of the ACO.

Julien Hergault - According to the press release of Kronos Racing

Photo: LE MANS, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 12 & 13 June 2010. Kronos Racing will draw on the experience of Vanina Ickx with the Lola Aston Martin LMP1.