The Starworks Motorsport team, who will run a Honda in the LM P2 category of the FIA World Endurance Championship , announced the presence of Ryan Dalziel and Enzo Potolicchio, as well as that of a third very experienced driver for the 2012 season. The team, who are based in Florida has engaged the services of Stephane Sarrazin, who found himself without a contract following the cancellation of the Peugeot Sport endurance programme.

The the French driver, who has twice finished in second place 24 Hours of Le Mans, joined the team that was relaunched in 2010 by Peter Baron, the founder of the former BAM! team, who were present in the American Le Mans Series and at Le Mans early 2000s with a Porsche. The team from Fort Lauderdale may be new to the LM P2 category, but scored a second place in the recent 24 Hours of Daytona with a Daytona Prototype.

Thus they have some experience, which was probably what attracted Stephane Sarrazin, who confirms: “I am very happy to be joining the team. I spent a long time as a factory driver with Peugeot, but they decided to stop two weeks ago and I was lost without a program. So I was very happy when Peter called me. I am sure it is a great opportunity for me with the team and this car. I believe that we can get some very good results. The team had an excellent result in Daytona and that gives me confidence for the season. I am also very excited to be doing the World Endurance Championship. It is a very high level. I know nearly all of the tracks. I have competed on them for the past five seasons. We will go forward together. I am looking forward to getting into the car and getting started.”

Peter Baron is fortunate to have made a choice recruit with one of the most talented and experienced French drivers: “The high downforce prototypes are a bit new to us, so it was crucial to get someone with experience of these types of cars and of the tracks that we will be visiting. It was unfortunate that the Peugeot program ended the way it did but that created an opportunity for Starworks and it was an easy decision for us once we knew that Stephane was available. We were very impressed with him from the very first talks. He was very excited about coming on board and is very motivated about what we are trying to do."

Stephane Sarrazin will race the full season, which begins with the 12 Hours of Sebring on the 17th of March.

Cécile Bonardel (quotes from team press release)

Photo : LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, 8th JUNE 2011, FREE PRACTICE. Stéphane Sarrazin, former Peugeot Sport driver, finds refuge at Starworks Motorsport.