Kent-based sportscar squad, Jota, are all set for their debut in the booming VdeV championship which kicks off this weekend with a four hour race in Jarama, Spain.
Simon Dolan (pictured above and right) and Sam Hancock will share a Ligier JS49 in selected rounds of the endurance racing series, while also contesting the same car in much of the British-based SPEED series which runs to substantially the same rules as its European counterpart.
The programme marks a departure for the outfit from the Porsche Carrera Cup GB in which they finished a superb 2nd overall in the team standings at the end of last year, their debut season. Having also successfully contested two Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup rounds in '08 alongside their British series commitments, the team had hoped to graduate full time to the grand prix support series this year until the downturn in the global economy impacted the plan. Team Principle, Sam Hignett, explains further:
" The main concern for us competing in the 'Supercup was the poor exchange rate with the Euro which, as the only British team, would have effected us significantly in comparison to competition. We like to do things properly or not at all so we preferred to put everything on pause for a year rather than cut corners to stay on budget. We've fortunately got a number of other exciting projects here at Jota to keep us busy, in particular our new private driver training service, The Drivers Club, and our private airline, Air Jota. The Ligier programme though is proving to be especially interesting as it seems a perfect training ground for Le Mans. "
The Drivers Club will appear as the primary brand on Dolan and Hancock's Ligier racing car this season in promotion of the service which offers 5-star, bespoke training programmes and access to exclusive driving events to discerning individuals looking for the ultimate driving experiences.
Dolan himself is a product of the concept and following several wins and podiums in his debut season of Radical racing last year (despite having never even visited a racing circuit until two years ago!), looks set to become an outstanding ambassador as he nears his ultimate goal of racing at Le Mans within the next two years.
