Robertson Racing Le Mans test day preview

Robertson Racing confirms two cars for Le Mans test day

Robertson Racing will take a step closer to making their Le Mans 24 Hours debut next Sunday (April 24) when the team travels to Circuit de la Sarthe for the event's official test day.

Since receiving their invite to contest the legendary race's 79th running on June 11/12 from organisers the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) back in February, the Braselton-based squad has been busy preparing both Ford GTs that will make the trip to north-west France.

Despite having only one guaranteed entry at this stage, the second car - currently first reserve for the GT classes - remains tantalising close to also competing. With all six of the team's drivers - David Robertson, Andrea Robertson, David Murry, Boris Said, Anthony Lazzaro and Colin Braun - each requiring at least ten laps behind the wheel before being declared eligible for June's race, it was decided that both Fords would be made available.

Unfortunately, the team has therefore been forced to take the tough decision of withdrawing from last weekend's American Le Mans Series round at Long Beach.

#040 Robertson Racing Doran Ford GT: David Robertson, Andrea Robertson, Boris Said

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

Team Manager Andrew 'H' Smith: "We've never missed an ALMS round with the Ford GT since entering the championship so it was a difficult decision, but ultimately one that could prove very shrewd come June. While the second car will give us a Plan B should anything happen to the #40, it also ensures all six drivers can complete their mandatory ten laps of running. It makes sense to be fully prepared should one of the other GT entries withdraw between now and then and also allows us to complete at least some initial set-up work too."

Key team members begin flying to Europe this week while both cars will also make the trip by air direct to Le Mans. For some of Robertson Racing's personnel it will be their first taste of the world's most prestigious endurance race, although Smith, a veteran of four previous events, has seen it all before.

"Needless to say the entire team cannot wait to get going! We have a lot of experienced guys who have been there, done it and won it whose stories have really energised the rest of the 'shop. No one is under any illusions that this is going to be easy though. Once we get there it will be the same as any other test, only with the added importance that we get the drivers through their mandatory running."

-source: www.RobertsonRace.com