24h-le-mans-virgo-motorsport-drivers-rob-bell-tim-sugden-mullen-jim-mcwhirter

Rob Bell, Tim Sugden and Tim Mullen are today announced as the driver line up for the Virgo Motorsport Ferrari 430 GT2 entry for the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours.

This formidable driver lineup brings together three drivers with previous Le Mans experience as well as proven pace in the Ferrari 430 GT2. Bell, reigning 2007 LMS GT2 Champion and current joint leader of the 2008 championship, joined Virgo Motorsport in 2007 and has achieved seven podium finishes including four wins from eight starts. This very impressive record confirms not only his strength but that of the team around him.

This was evidenced by his strong finish to win the Spa 1000km last weekend whilst driving a damaged car under extreme pressure. Sugden raced with Virgo in 2006 and has a wealth of knowledge from Le Mans. He returns to the Ferrari family having driven a variety of cars in different championships this year. Tim helped the team to fourth place in its first season in the Le Mans Series, missing out on Le Mans qualification by only two points.

Mullen joins the team for the first time at this year’s Le Mans, but also brings many years of endurance racing experience, including the accolade of leading the race in 2007. Tim is a strong competitor who is also a team player as he has shown in the last two years in the FIA GT Championship.

The team’s partners, Dunlop and Michelotto, are delighted with the team’s strength in depth as are the valued Sponsors - A J Power, MCW Properties, Shell and Momo.

Jim McWhirter, Team Principal, Virgo Motorsport says of today’s announcement, "This is the third year of our Le Mans Series adventure. It is fitting that for our first attempt at the world famous 24 Hour Race we have brought together a top driver line up to compliment one of the best teams in the LMS paddock which consistently outperforms the opposition in pitstops, strategy and preparation.

"I want to pay tribute to Gimmi Bruni, who for contractual reasons, cannot be with us at Le Mans this year. He is a fantastic asset to the Team and I am sure he will give a hard time in opposition but at least he is in another Ferrari.

"It is with enormous pride that we enter the challenge of Le Mans, the most prestigious endurance race in the world in its 75th anniversary year, as the current LMS GT2 Champions as well as being leaders of the 2008 championship. This is effectively the World Championship of GT2 racing and we are not going there to finish second!"

Team Manager Chris Warne will lead Virgo Motorsport with Race Director Steve (Doc) Bunkhall, working with Davey Nicholas, Chief Mechanic, and his experienced crew.

- Jim McWhirter Virgo Motorsport -

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