Tuesday 5th January 2010

Nigel Mansell Targets Le Mans

Nige plans family assault on the 24hrs with Ginetta factory backing

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Nigel Mansell could be on the grid at the Le Mans 24hrs this year, following the formation of a new LMS team, Beechdean Mansell Motorsport.

The team will run a factory-backed Ginetta-Zytek Z09R in the LMP1 class of the Le Mans Series, and is hoping also to get an entry for the 2010 24-hour race at Le Mans itself.

The ZO9R will be raced through the LMS season by Mansell's sons Leo and Greg, with 'our Nige' joining the action for selected races - and the Le Mans 24hrs if the team gets in.

Mansell returned to the track in a Ginetta-Zytek at Silverstone last year, when he teamed up with son Greg for the LMS round. His two sons already have a fair amount of racing experience under their belts - Greg in Formula Renault 3.5s and Leo in the LMS.

"I'm very happy to announce this partnership between myself and Beechdean," says Mansell senior. "The team comes fresh to the LMS with an impeccable pedigree and full support from Zytek.

"I'm very excited about 2010 and the prospect of racing with both my sons for the first time. I can confirm that I will be racing with Leo and Greg during the season and, if we receive an entry, we will also be racing at Le Mans."

(Pics are two of a great selection posted by PHers Vetteheadracer and Ricepilot on the 2009 Silverstone LMS round thread)

[[AJ]]

Nige was always a childhood hero of mine and I'm still gutted that 'Jim' never 'fixed it' for me to race him around Silverstone in a kart!

It's great when families get together like this and I imagine it would be a very proud moment for them to race together at LM. I really hope they get their entry. Good luck to them.

[patmahe]

Would be interesting to compare times too good luck to them.

[Truckosaurus]

Mansell was obviously enticed by the lure of all the ice cream he could eat.

[soad]

Good news - hope it goes well for him.

[JumpinJack]

Le Mansell


....no?

[Project 644]

Truckosaurus said:

Mansell was obviously enticed by the lure of all the ice cream he could eat.

Wrong driver.

[y2blade]

Fantastic news, it was great to cheer for him at the Le-Mans series race at Silverstone last year

[White-Noise]

Saw this on planetlemans as well, good news, would be excellent to see them race at le mans

[Stone Cold]

The man is a 'Ledg' no more to say

[clonmult]

Stone Cold said:

The man is a 'Ledg' no more to say

Total ledg.

But unless his kids have improved their performance, daddy will be a good bit quicker, and the kids will be letting the side down badly.

[k-ink]

His kids are so lucky, with unlimited funds, time and training behind them. Not a bad life

[Ahonen]

Project 644 said:

Truckosaurus said:

Mansell was obviously enticed by the lure of all the ice cream he could eat.

Wrong driver.

Nope, the team owner makes his money from making ice cream. And very agreeable it is too.

[bn9af]

JumpinJack said:

Le Mansell


....no?

nice, i like it!

[dandarez]

clonmult said:

Stone Cold said:

The man is a 'Ledg' no more to say

Total ledg.

But unless his kids have improved their performance, daddy will be a good bit quicker, and the kids will be letting the side down badly.

You're a bit out of tune... Greg Mansell is really some driver - at the Silverstone Le Mans last year, if I recall Greg had the fastest lap in the LMP Ginetta and did the longest stint in it. Dad has obviously taught this son a lot!

Just had to make sure my memory was correct. HOW'S THIS!!!
Here you are:

'Team LNT's Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S has qualified for tomorrow's Le Mans Series finale in an impressive 5th place at the hands of 21 year old driver Greg Mansell, who put in a stunning performance under glorious blue skies at Silverstone.

Greg Mansell who had his first test in the LMP1 'Red 5' just 3 weeks ago, showed an astonishing grasp of the 4.5 litre engine car to put in a fastest lap time of 01 min 35.296 seconds, beating the previous Le Mans winning Audi R10 and AMR Eastern Europe's Lola Aston Martin into sixth and seventh position on the grid. A total of 39 cars will roar off the starting line at 11.35am.

Edited by dandarez on Tuesday 5th January 16:22

[Nickellarse]

It sure will be interesting to see which Mansell is the quickest. Let's hope Pops doesn't fall asleep after his evening meal!!!

[aarondrs]

Apparently Mansell Snr is seeking a seat for F1 in 2011 to follow teh MS theme. He is in discussions with several teams and believes, barring any neck injuries, that he could play a part in the 2011 season, winning some races and even challenging for the title.

[chevronb37]

Mansell Snr's drive at Silverstone last year was heroic after car trouble. Really pleased to see a full-season LMS ride for him. His FIA GT2 drive at Silverstone a couple of years earlier was less convincing but he seems a driver who comes alive with a challenge and a proper car. I look forward to seeing him back in September.

[Joe Osborne]

This is excatly what motorsport needs!

[ellroy]

Who's 'tached their car up for Le Mans 2010? thread starting soon!

Epic.

[GingerWizard]

I can already hear the dam busters theme tune playing in my head.... as Mansell charges past the line, champagne in hand weilding the most manly of Moustash's! God thats so evocative i feel kind of emotional....