KCMG appoints new race engineer for Le Mans defence

KCMG is preparing to gear up its ORECA 05-Nissan which stormed to Le Mans glory in LMP2 last year at the official test with a new race engieer.

03 Jun 2016

KCMG is preparing to gear up its #47 ORECA 05-Nissan which stormed to Le Mans 24 Hour glory in LMP2 last year at this weekend's official test with a new race engineer, marking the first return to action since it narrowly missed out on the World Endurance Championship title last year.

The Hong Kong based squad withdrew its LMP2 entry into this year's WEC having painfully missed out on the class world crown in the final race in Bahrain last year.

Paul Ip's squad has retained its ORECA 05-Nissan and has taken up the automatic entry to Le Mans for its bid to defend its victory last year.

KCMG welcomes back Richard Bradley and Matt Howson to reform their Le Mans-winning partnership while bringing reigning Super GT champion and former KCMG driver Tsugio Matsuda in place of Nicolas Lapierre, who is competing for LMP2 rivals Signtech Alpine.

The other notable change to the KCMG set-up is new race engineer Adam Hardy who has a wealth of experience in DTM, V8 Supercars, BTCC and GT3.

"It's a relief to finally be getting back to action and at Le Mans where we return as reigning champions," Howson said. "The KCMG LMP2 programme is limited this season but that means all efforts are focused on this iconic race.

"Much of the package is the same as last year, and with an excellent, proven driver line-up with Tsugio and Richard we'll be featuring at the front of an LMP2 field which is even stronger than 2015."

"I'm delighted to be back with KCMG for Le Mans 24 Hours to defend our title," Richard Bradley added. "I'm really looking forward to the Test Day where we can begin our preparations.

"It will be nice to go back somewhere with very good memories, and I hope we can make the most out of it to lay the framework for the race."

New addition Matsuda, who was parted of the failed Nissan NISMO LMP1 effort last year, is relishing the fresh opportunity with the ORECA 05-Nissan and KCMG.

"I am glad to return to France and kick off an exciting Le Mans 24 Hours effort with KCMG," Matsuda said. "I am very happy to race alongside my 2014 team-mates, Matt and Richard. It will be my first time driving the ORECA 05-Nissan, but I will try my best to adapt to the car and deliver positive results during the official test."