Completely inverse to the economic downturn a record breaking 82 teams applied to enter a car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans next June. Based on previous results, the Le Mans organising Automobile Club de l’ Ouest (ACO) already nominated 15 cars last January. The remaining 40 positions for the 77th edition of the 24 hour race were presented by the ACO to the teams and international motor sport press presented last Thursday in Paris.
Spyker Squadron has been invited by the ACO to race again in the GT2 class with one Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R. After an earlier announcement this month, where Spyker Squadron revealed its ‘Le Mans Series’ drivers Dutchman Tom Coronel and Czech Jarek Janis to the press, the team is proud to reveal that Jeroen Bleekemolen has been contracted to join the pair at Le Mans.
Jeroen Bleekemolen: “I have done my first Le Mans with the team in 2006 and It is great to be back with Spyker. Although we have been part of the same team, I actually never shared a car with Tom Coronel before. I know him very well and he is a great fellow to work with. Jarek and myself have both competed in the DTM, he is a very strong driver and a great asset to the team. When I visited the Spyker Squadron workshop last week I was amazed to see how much progress has been made, they have a very professional approach to Le Mans. I am already looking forward to the race in June”.
Peter van Erp, Managing Director Spyker Squadron: “I am delighted to have contracted Jeroen for Le Mans. Like Tom and Jarek he is familiar with the team and car and we absolutely need his speed and experience to compete against the fierce Porsche and Ferrari competition”.
Mr. Victor Muller, CEO Spyker Cars: “It seems that there is an inverse situation at Le Mans in 2009. Whilst the world is submerged in an unprecedented crisis, the Le Mans field is one of the best ever seen. This applies to all classes and certainly to GT2 in which Spyker Squadron will participate with one C8 Laviolette GT2R. To compete in this highly challenging setting, Spyker Squadron has managed to attract the best drivers it could possible find. It was already communicated that Tom Coronel would join Jarek Janis at Le Mans and we are proud to announce that he will be joined by Jeroen Bleekemolen.”
Next weekend the team will take part in the Le Mans Series official test at Paul Ricard, France. As Tom Coronel competes in the the first WTCC round this season, at Curitiba, Brazil, Jarek and Jeroen will be testing the car.
Source : Spyker Squadron