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WEC 24 Hours of Le Mans
Dyson, Kimber-Smith and McMurry ready for history making Le Mans
Tom Kimber-Smith, Matt McMurry and Chris Dyson are looking forward to a strong run at the 82nd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Published: Jun 9, 2014, 8:03 PM
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POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – With the momentum of solid finishes at Silverstone and Imola to their credit, Tom Kimber-Smith, Matt McMurry and Chris Dyson are looking forward to a strong run at the 82nd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans June 14-15 in the #42 LM P2 Caterham Zytek-Nissan fielded by Greaves Motorsport.
All three drivers share the common goal of a class win, but each of them also brings his own agenda to the world’s most prestigious sportscar race.
Kimber-Smith is aiming for his third LM P2 victory in six starts, (and fourth class win, including victory in GT2 in 2006.) “Le Mans is a special race which anyone in motorsport would love to attend and compete at,” Kimber-Smith said. “I have been extremely fortunate to have won the race three times now. (2006: Panoz Esperante GT2; 2011: Zytek/Nissan LMP2; and 2012: HPD/HPD LM P2).
I still have the same, if not more desire to win this race. It's such a special feeling to stand on the top step of that podium looking down at thousands of spectators. LM P2 this year is very competitive. Probably the most competitive it has ever been. The race will be flat out as always and the winner will be the team that makes the least mistakes.”
Chris Dyson and Matthew McMurry
Photo by: Eric Gilbert
For McMurry, a 16 year-old high school student and the initial Dyson Racing Junior Development Driver, it’s about becoming the youngest starter in the 91-year history of this twice-around-the-clock classic, the youngest finisher and the youngest winner.
“I went to Le Mans in 2008 when I was ten when my father raced there,” recounted McMurry. “When I was twelve, we had a school project where we were asked what we wanted to accomplish before we graduated.
I said that I wanted to race at Le Mans, and now four years later, the dream is about to become real. I have been getting good advice from my teammates, Chris and Tom on how to get into a rhythm and stay calm. Greaves Motorsport has a very good record at Le Mans and I am glad I will be part of the team’s effort to have another successful race at Le Mans.”
When he climbs into the car for the first time following the green flag on June 14, McMurry will displace the legendary Mexican driver Ricardo Rodriquez, who was 17- years old when he started the 1959 edition of the race.
Dyson, a two-time IMSA American Le Mans Series driving champion, made his first start at Le Mans in 2004, coming home first in the contingent of American drivers. His focus on State-side competition has curtailed Dyson’s participation in European sportscar racing, at least until this season.
"It was a thrill racing at Le Mans for the first time, ten years ago,” Dyson said. “I wish my schedule made it possible for me to race there every year, but our team’s primary focus has needed to be on our U.S. schedule. But the fact that I don’t get to race at Le Mans every year – this will be my third start – makes the opportunity to do it this year all the sweeter. Plus, it’s great to be doing this race with Tom, who is a good friend, and Matt, who I believe is destined for a truly great driving career. That’s why we made him our first Dyson Junior team member.”
Dyson also paid tribute to the team that is fielding the car. “We’ve got a great entrant in Greaves Motorsport,” he noted. “TKS won with them in 2011 and Greaves was on the podium last year as well. They’re known for fielding cars that are solid, reliable and well prepared for the task of surviving 24 straight hours of racing. We’re not taking anything for granted, but our goal is to win LM P2 and I don’t think our optimism is misplaced.”
Dyson Racing
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