Racing Experience gears up for Le Mans Cup debut 04.04.2019: Luxembourg-based team, Racing Experience, is preparing for their debut in the Michelin Le Mans Cup next week, when the 2019 season kicks off at Le Castellet. The third-generation racing family led by Christian Hauser will field a new 420bhp Norma M30 LMP3

Luxembourg-based team, Racing Experience, is preparing for their debut in the Michelin Le Mans Cup next week, when the 2019 season kicks off at Le Castellet. The third-generation racing family led by Christian Hauser will field a new 420bhp Norma M30 LMP3 car in the 32-car grid this season. 



The team line up will include brothers David and Gary Hauser, partnering British driver Charlie Martin, who joined the team this season following a private test with the team last July.



With more than 40 years’ experience, the team has previously competed successfully in both hillclimb and circuit racing, most recently winning the 2017 Benelux GT & Prototype Challenge in a Ligier LMP3 car. The team moved to the Michelin Le Mans Cup in 2019 as part of its roadmap to competing in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future.



The team has put some early miles on their new LMP3 challenger ahead of their race debut, completing test days at Paul Ricard and Spa Francorchamps with all three drivers familiarising themselves with the new machinery. An official collective test next week will offer one final opportunity for all teams to prepare for the season opener on Saturday.



Christian Hauser, Racing Experience team principal , said: “We are really looking forward to our first race in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. This championship is recognised as a highly competitive and exciting series to be a part of and we are looking forward to the challenge. This series is also an excellent stepping stone on the road to competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future.”



“Our focus over recent weeks has been on our test programme. We’ve completed approximately 725km of running so far and we have one more test at Paul Ricard next week. All three drivers have a good feeling in the car and their feedback on the Norma is great. We are keen to go racing now and get the season underway.”



Gary Hauser, Racing Experience driver said: “I’m really excited to partner up with Charlie for the 2019 season. Our new Norma M30, carrying number 11, is a more developed and detail-oriented car than other manufacturers and testing has gone very well so far. I’ve felt comfortable from the first lap. We are ready to attack this new challenge after working hard to be back in an international championship.



Charlie Martin, Racing Experience driver said: “I can’t wait to get our debut season underway. The Le Mans Cup is going to be a real test for all of us as we step up to this new series together. We are well prepared and looking forward to the first race next week. Working with the Racing Experience team is great, and we are pushing hard to maximise our potential and kick off the season on the right foot.”



David Hauser, Racing Experience driver said: “I am really happy to kick off the 2019 Michelin Le Mans Cup season next week with Charlie, Gary and the whole Racing Experience team. The last fews weeks have been very busy for all of us and it’s great to finally start the real racing phase. For the first race at Paul Ricard I will participate as team member, but I will do my very best to give advice to Charlie and Gary and support them as much as I can. Competition will be tough, but we are well prepared. I simply can’t wait to be there!”



The Michelin Le Mans Cup is a six round racing series for LMP3 and GT classes. Five rounds of the calendar take place on the same weekend as European Le Mans Series events, at Paul Ricard, Monza, Barcelona, Spa and Portimao. The flagship “Road to Le Mans” round of the championship will also take place ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the full 13.6km La Sarthe track.
 


The opening round of the Michelin Le Mans Cup takes place on April 13 at 16:00 local time.







Race one: Le Castellet
2760 Route des Hauts du Camp 83330 Le Castellet France
 

Length (Km) : 5.861
Left turns : 5
Right turns : 8
 


Sessions

Free Practice 1  12/04/2019 09:50                                   Duration : 60 min.
Bronze Driver Collective Test 12/04/2019 14:25          Duration : 30 min.
Free Practice 2   12/04/2019 17:15                                   Duration : 60 min.
Qualifying - GT3  13/04/2019 11:35                                 Duration : 15 min.
Qualifying - LMP3 13/04/2019 12:00                              Duration : 15 min.
Race 13/04/2019 16:00                                                  Duration : 120 min.
 
 



About Racing Experience


Founded in 2000 by the driver Christian Hauser, Racing Experience is a family racing team with more than 40 years of experience. Based in the small town of Wormeldange in eastern Luxembourg, the team has competed successfully in both hillclimb and circuit racing, most recently winning the 2017 Benelux GT & Prototype Challenge in a Ligier LMP3 car.



The team is now run by the third generation, brothers Gary and David Hauser, who will partner Charlie in her debut series in the Le Mans Cup.
 



Naomi Panter, photos Darren S. Cook