Formula Racing Acquires Spirit of Race Entry

Photo: European Le Mans Series

Danish outfit Formula Racing has announced the acquisition of Spirit of Race’s LMGT3 entry for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Father-and-son duo Johnny and Conrad Laursen will be joined by a to-be-named third driver for the FIA World Endurance Championship blue riband as they take over the No. 155 Ferrari 296 GT3, which will still run under the Spirit of Race banner.

Initially, Formula Racing had only been granted a spot on the reserve list, while the Spirit of Race entry was listed with Matt Griffin, David Perel and Duncan Cameron.

The team last raced at Le Mans back in 2016, when Johnny Laursen shared a Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 with compatriots Christina Nielsen and Mikkel Mac.

“This is huge news, and it comes a bit unexpectedly, as we have been on standby on the reserve list,” said team manager Allan Jorgensen.

“Le Mans is the world’s biggest motorsport event and a race that all sports car teams dream of winning, including us, so we are proud and very excited to be on the start list for the second time in our history.”

The Laursens were joined by Ferrari Hypercar driver Nicklas Nielsen for the European Le Mans Series opener at Barcelona earlier this month, taking class victory.

“We are proud to have the chance to participate again at Le Mans for the second time, which this year begins a new era with GT3 cars,” commented Johnny Laursen.

“We have already made a strong impression among the world’s elite in the ELMS, and with the setup we have developed, I definitely believe that we have the skills to make our presence felt at Le Mans as well.”

Panis Racing Switches to LMP2 Pro/Am

Another change to the entry list for Le Mans is that the No. 65 Panis Racing Oreca 07 Gibson will now be entered in the Pro/Am division of LMP2.

The TDS Racing-run squad previously had ELMS regular Manuel Maldonado as its first confirmed driver, but instead is now listed with Bronze-rated Rodrigo Sales, with Maldonado’s name no longer present.

At the same time, the No. 29 Richard Mille by TDS Pro/Am entry, which had Sales and Mathias Beche as confirmed drivers, has been scrubbed from the reserve list.

It means the reserve list now comprises five cars, with Proton Competition’s second Porsche 963, the No. 79 car, heading the order.

Source: Sports Car 365