Jackie Chan DC Racing has announced a formidable line-up of drivers for its expanded campaign in the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2017 in partnership with Jota Sport, giving the team an enviable – and hugely potent – combination of experience and talent.
Joining team co-founder, Beijing-born David Cheng, on the #37 ORECA 07 LMP2 entry are 26-year-old Briton Alex Brundle, reigning European Le Mans LMP3 champion and son of former F1 driver Martin, and 2014 Le Mans 24 Hour LMP2 runner-up and winner of the 2002 Macau Grand Prix, Frenchman Tristan Gommendy.
Cheng’s compatriot Ho-Pin Tung will spearhead the #38 campaign for the FIA WEC LMP2 title, and is joined by triple Le Mans LMP1 podium finisher and 2016 FIA WEC LMP1 runner-up Oliver Jarvis of Britain, and 18-year-old Frenchman Thomas Laurent, winner of the inaugural Road to Le Mans race last year.
The successful Chinese team, which has already achieved numerous successes in the Asian Le Mans Series, is set to make its mark in the world’s most competitive endurance championship after making its debut there last season.
Enthusiastically supported by team founding partner, Hollywood superstar Jackie Chan, the team was founded in 2015, and immediately claimed the 2015-16 Asian Le Mans LMP3 championship. For the team’s 2017 FIA WEC campaign, Jota Sport brings almost two decades of endurance racing expertise which includes class wins in both the Le Mans and Spa 24 Hours, and Chan and the team’s commitment to furthering motorsport development in China will be furthered by the inclusion of a number of Chinese crew members on the team.
Cheng and Tung have won multiple Asian Le Mans Series championship together, the pairing proving a dynamic partnership. Cheng is a hugely experienced driver who has competed successfully in single seaters, sports cars and prototypes in an impressive career spanning Asia, Europe and the USA. Tung, meanwhile, is widely regarded as China’s most talented driver. In 2010, he became the first ever Chinese official F1 driver when he was appointed third driver for the Renault F1 Team, and was named the Official Reserve Driver to the Lotus Renault GP F1 team the following year. Formula BMW Asia and German F3 championship titles, A1 GP Team China lead driver, countless victories and podiums in GP2, Superleague, endurance and sportscar racing and the FIA Formula E Championship make Tung China’s most successful driver to date.
Jackie Chan DC Racing will get its 2017 underway at the FIA WEC Prologue next month, with the opening race of the nine-round calendar being the 6 Hours of Silverstone in the UK on April 16.
DRIVER QUOTES
#37
David Cheng
“Coming off a years’ worth of experience in the FIA WEC last season, we are really happy to be back this year with two full season cars. I have to thank our co-founder Jackie Chan, Sparkle Roll group and all of our partners for putting their trust and full force behind us. This really enabled us to put together not only such a strong line up, but one with great chemistry between the drivers. Together, boosted with experience of our new partnership I’m confident our Jackie Chan DC Racing X Jota Sport team will be challenging up front at Le Mans and all year for the title.”
#37
Alex Brundle
“I’m delighted to be making a full time return to the WEC with Jackie Chan DC Racing. After a hat trick of wins to conclude last season my objective this winter was to return for a full WEC campaign to build on that success. To be able to do that with a hugely professional and dedicated group that I know well is fantastic. Many thanks go to David Cheng and the whole team at Jota sport and DC racing for this opportunity.”
#37
Tristan Gommendy
“I am delighted to be joining the Jackie Chan DC Racing team in the FIA World Endurance Championship. I would like to thank David [Cheng] for this opportunity and for his confidence in me. We have a strong team and top-class experienced driver line-ups in cars # 37 and 38. In my opinion the ORECA/Dunlop package is exactly what we need to battle for victory. The winter break has been a long one. I can’t wait to get down to work!”
#38
Ho-Pin Tung
“Jackie Chan DC Racing has built the optimum package for our FIA WEC LMP2 campaign this season. A two car team with two incredible driver line-ups that represent the ideal combination of proven experience, talent and huge potential, plus our new partnership with Jota Sport will strengthen the team even further. A big thanks to our title partner Sparkle Roll who has given David [Cheng], Rémy [Brouard] and myself the opportunity to add the next chapter to our wonderful journey. I’m very much looking forward to racing with Thomas [Laurent] and Oliver [Jarvis] on the #38 car this season.”
#38
Thomas Laurent
“I look forward to taking part in this championship with the Jackie Chan DC Racing with Jota Sport! It’s a huge chance for me, I have two very good teammates and I intend to take advantage of their experience and give the best of myself.”
#38
Oliver Jarvis
“I’m so pleased to be able to join such a strong team as Jackie Chan DC Racing. It will be nice to return to my WEC family and challenge for wins with Ho-Pin [Tung] and Thomas [Laurent]. I must take this opportunity to thank Bentley Motorsport for allowing me to compete in the WEC alongside my GT commitments.”