'Race to 24' dropped as SARD-Morand and Kairos Technologies part ways

Earlier this year, we reported on the Race to 24 competition. Two dozen drivers from seventeen countries were set to compete for a Le Mans 24 seat in one of Team SARD-Morand's LMP2 Morgan EVOs in this online-based reality show.

Silverstone no-show

However, things took a turn for the worse when the team did not show up for the WEC opener at Silverstone, revealing that they would only one run one car for the rest of the season, giving up a Le Mans invite in the process.

 

The team cited 'administrative and legal' issues as the reasoning behind their withdrawal. An unnamed team driver spoke with Motorsport.com, saying "The situation does not appear to be too good, obviously. We have a lot of unanswered questions and have not been kept up to date with what is going on. I would say that in my entire career I have not seen this level of confusion and unprofessionalism so close to what should be a really good season in the WEC. To say I am disappointed is a huge understatement. I just hope that Benoit and the investors get this mess resolved very quickly and we can go racing.”

Cutting ties with Kairos Technologies

Today, a press release gave more insight into what has been going on behind closed doors. The team has split with Kairos Technologies, a shareholder in the race team. Kairos had backed the 'Race to 24' program and in the release, SARD-Morand stated, "Since Race to 24 Limited did not meet its financial commitments, Team Morand SA is no longer supporting the sports program established by Race to 24 for the winner of the show."

 

The team maintains that they will be in Spa to contest the 6 Hours. The failure of Kairos to hold up its financial commitment to the team was likely the main factor behind the Silverstone no-show and current state of the organization.