Sébastien Loeb with Sébastien Loeb Racing at Le Mans 24 Hours Test Day

Sébastien Loeb with Sébastien Loeb Racing !

Second place finishers Nicolas Minassian and Nicolas Marroc with team owner Sébastien Loeb

Photo by: DPPI

Sébastien Loeb and Dominique Heintz’s team will participate in the Test Day for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The eight-time rally world champion will be at the wheel of the No. 19 ORECA 03 !

Sébastien Loeb Racing have not hidden their ambition to participate in the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours. With this in mind, and alongside their participation in the European Le Mans Series, the Alsacian team put forth an entry for the 2012 Test Day. It’s an opportunity to discover the Sarthe legend and to find their mark on a circuit like no other. On the 3rd of June, the team director himself, Sébastien Loeb, will drive the ORECA 03.

Sébastien Loeb : « Twice as excited to return to Le Mans! »

Sébastien Loeb, the driver, has already exprienced the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 2005 and 2006, with a second place in his second try. Six years later, the Alsacian champion is preparing a comeback to the Sarthe track.. « I’m twice as excited to return to Le Mans » said Sébastien. « Firstly as a driver. With its history and unique characteristics, the track is magic. Then as team boss. To see the team running a prototype on the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit, only a few months after its creation, will be a special moment! »

For their grand debut in endurance racing, during the 6 Hours of the Castellet, Sébastien Loeb Racing reached the second step of the podium with trio Nicolas Minassian/Stéphane Sarrazin/Nicolas Marroc, a result that was obtained under the watchful eye of Sébastien Loeb : « Those first steps were very interesting. The members of the team worked really hard and were up to the task. On a personal side, I discovered a new role and new emotions. To see other drivers at the wheel is new for me. That gave me the desire to get back behind the wheel of the ORECA 03 and my schedule allows me to be at the Test Day. I can’t wait to drive a prototype on that fabulous track, like I did a few years ago. »

For the rest of the team, this Test Day for the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be particularly enriching. With their object being to take the start of the race in 2013, Sébastien Loeb Racing will be able to get their feet wet and see how they stack up against the 56 invited teams for 2012. « This participation fits perfectly into the logic of our program » explains Dominique Heintz, the team’s manager. « In the medium term, we want to be a major player in endurance racing, and therefore at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Test Day will allow us to have our first experience with an environment that has no equal. It’s an important new step for Sébastien Loeb Racing and with Sébastien at the wheel, it’s even greater. We’re at the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we set out to do in this challenge. »

Sébastien Loeb’s teammates for the Test Day will be announced at a later date. In the meantime, Sébastien Loeb Racing will participate in the first round of the GT Tour on April 28-29 at Lédenon.