Following the announcement of car manufacturer MG Motor UK as its newest sponsor last month, Team RLR is set to welcome back one of MG’s most successful factory drivers – Warren Hughes. Newcastle-born Hughes will partner Team RLR’s regular drivers Barry Gates and Rob Garofall for the two remaining rounds of the 2011 Le Mans Series at Silverstone and Estoril.
The addition of Hughes strengthens the driver line-up of the Lancashire-based outfit, competing in only its first full season in the championship, and team principal Nick Reynolds is confident he has all the elements in place to deliver a podium challenge.
Hughes first joined MG back in 2001 for selected rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), and also had an outing at Le Mans 24 Hours in the LMP 675 prototype. This successful partnership continued for three years with many lap records and numerous wins for Hughes at the wheel of a series of factory MG cars.
A Le Mans class win followed for Hughes in 2005 with the MG Lola EX265 partnered by Tommy Erdos and Mike Newton. Hughes still rates this memorable win as one of the greatest achievements of his racing career.
With the penultimate round of the series, the Autosport 1000km, less than four weeks away the team will be utilising the skills and experience of its new driver line-up to hone the set-up of the car in testing in preparation for the home event at Silverstone on September 11. Team RLR has already scored two top-five LMP2 class finishes from the three previous rounds this season.
Nick Reynolds, Team RLR team principal, said:
“It is a great boost for the team having Warren back in the car. He competed with us back in 2010 when we did selected rounds of the Le Mans Series so we already know his capabilities behind the wheel. Warren has a sound knowledge of the car and a great track record of setting fastest laps and collecting wins in this championship. These factors combined with a competitive pace from both Barry and Rob should create one of the strongest driver line-ups in the LMP2 class this year.”
Warren Hughes, Team RLR driver, said:
“Last year I had a chance to race with Team RLR in Hungary and I am absolutely delighted to be back with the squad again this year. As a racing driver this is one of the most prestigious championships in the world to compete in and one that many aspire to be a part of. Being back in an MG-backed car is a great feeling and my time with MG before was some of the fondest of my racing career. I was part of the team that won the LMP2 class at Le Mans in an MG in 2005, so I hope my experience in prototype racing will help bring something extra to the team and a give us a chance to push for the podium.”
Source : Team RLR