After a superb performance at Silverstone and Le Mans, KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) has confirmed its entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) – 6 Hours of Fuji. The sixth event of the celebrated WEC series will be held at the picturesque Fuji Speedway on 20 October and will highlight an impressive grid, featuring the finest teams in sports car endurance racing from across the globe.
In line with this, KCMG unveils Richard Bradley, Hiroshi Koizumi and Tsugio Matsuda as its driver lineup for the 6 Hours of Fuji. Notably, Koizumi and Bradley recently represented KCMG in Asian Le Mans’ second event in Fuji, Japan. Both British and Japanese drivers pulled off impressive stints, ultimately resulting in the team’s second consecutive victory in the series.
Joining Bradley and Koizumi is Japanese ace Tsugio Matsuda who reigned in Formula Nippon, winning the championship in 2007 and 2008. Significantly, Matsuda competed with KCMG in the Formula Nippon Sprint Cup in 2011. Prior to his success in the top-level Japanese Formula series, he also raced in the All-Japan Formula 3 Championship. Currently, Matsuda races in Super Formula and Super GT with Impul and is considered as one of the leading drivers in the field.
The international motorsport group’s successful debut this year in Le Mans Prototype racing has produced strong results in Europe and two laudable victories in Asia. Consequently, the team aims to maintain its strong form and deliver unyielding results in the 6 Hours of Fuji in October.
Richard Bradley, KCMG WEC Driver: “I’m over the moon to be representing KCMG in the WEC event in Fuji. This will be my first world championship event since karting in 2009. It will be great to have it in Japan where I have built up a lot of fans and friends in the past two and a half years of racing here. I believe that the team and I have prepared well since Asian Le Mans, which will also be held in Fuji and I am sure that we will be a strong force in this race and can deliver a good result.”
Hiroshi Koizumi, KCMG WEC Driver: “To be part of KCMG’s line up for the 6 Hours of Fuji is another big achievement for me. Once again, this is a step closer to my dream of competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours. I’d like to thank Paul Ip and the rest of the KCMG WEC team for putting their confidence in me. I’m very happy and looking forward to race and work further with the team in October.”
Tsugio Matsuda, KCMG WEC Driver: “I’m pleased to be confirmed as one of KCMG’s drivers for the 6 Hours of Fuji. It is an honour to represent a great team who recently made a mark in motorsport history. This year has been a successful one for KCMG and I’m happy to be given a chance to contribute more to that success. I’d like to thank Paul Ip and Ryuji Doi for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with Koizumi-san, Richard and the rest of the team.”
Paul Ip, KCMG Managing Director: “We’ve come a long way since Silverstone and Le Mans and I’m very pleased with what the team has achieved in South Korea and Japan. To be back in the World Endurance Championship means a lot to the team and for it to be held in Japan makes it all the more meaningful as we’ve been racing here since 2008. I’m confident with the new driver lineup that we’ll have in the WEC Fuji event and for sure, Matsuda-san, Koizumi-san and Richard together with our Japan WEC crew will make a strong and competitive team.”