Team Parker Racing set for Porsche adventure at Le Mans
Leicestershire-based Team Parker Racing is set to make an appearance at the world-famous Circuit de la Sarthe this coming week (August 19-21) as it will compete in a special race, organised by the Porsche Sprint Challenge France, the morning of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
After receiving an invitation to compete in the event, the team will travel with its SD Team liveried Porsche 911 GT3 R, which is raced by Nick Jones in the British GT Championship, and a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (991.2), which Justin Armstrong competes with in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.
Nick became the 2019 GT4 Pro-Am champion in the British GT Championship, as well as taking an outright race win in 2020 on just his fourth appearance in GT3, while Justin claimed his maiden Am class victory in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Oulton Park at the start of August, as well as winning the GTC class in British GT's Silverstone 500 last season.
The race will feature a grid of 60 Porsche 911 GT3 R or 911 GT3 cup machines, featuring only amateur drivers for the first time on a circuit which is usually reserved for professional or semi-professional competitors.
So far this year the team has claimed 14 victories across all three classes in the Carrera Cup and nine podiums in both classes in the Sprint Challenge GB, alongside impressive performances in the Supercup and British GT Championship, while it also took two wins in the Carrera Cup Benelux in a one-off outing in May.
Nick, Justin, and the team will first head out on track for a 45-minute free practice session at 09:00 CEST / 08:00 BST on Thursday, August 19th, with another practice period the following day, again at 09:00 / 08:00, before qualifying gets underway at 12:00 / 11:00.
The race itself, also 45 minutes in length, is due to get underway at 09:00 / 08:00 on Saturday, August 21, just a few hours before the flag drops on the 89th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Stuart Parker, Team Principal
“It was a welcome surprise to get the call from Porsche inviting us to enter the Sprint Challenge France race at Le Mans and one which we didn’t hesitate to say yes to. It is a long-term goal of the team to compete in the 24 Hours, so to be able compete at the event this year will be a special one for us all.
“It is going to be a tough test, with only two practice sessions ahead of qualifying then the race itself, but we’ll be doing all we can to support Nick and Justin and help them get to grips with the track. It will be a great experience and we can’t wait to travel down and see how we get on.”
Photos Dan Bathie