RACING CHAMPION ROBERTSON TO FORM PART OF GINETTA-NISSAN DREAM TEAM WITH SIR CHRIS HOY IN EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIESBritish racecar manufacturer Ginetta and global motoring powerhouse Nissan have today, Friday, 12th December, announced Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup champion Charlie Robertson will partner Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy in the 2015 European Le Mans Series in a Ginetta-Nissan LMP3 car.Forming a veritable Scottish dream-team, 17-year-old Charlie – who retains strong backing from key sponsor Investigo – and Nissan-backed Sir Chris will join forces as part of the ambitious new Ginetta-Juno LMP3 prototype endurance racing programme, which was officially launched yesterday evening at the marque’s headquarters in Garforth.Nissan’s involvement with the Team LNT ‘works’ entry into the ELMS next year brings even more impetus and prestige to the whole project, through which Whyteleafe-based Charlie aims to build on his already glowing reputation as he makes the full-time move into endurance competition.As a shining example of the career progression which Ginetta’s motorsport ladder can provide, after making his car racing debut in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2011, at the tender age of just 14 years and three months, Charlie established his credentials immediately and became the youngest ever winner of an MSA-sanctioned car race.Going on to end his first season as Vice-Champion, he won the Ginetta Junior title the following year and after switching to single-seaters in 2013 he became a multiple race winner on his way to third in the BRDC Formula 4 Championship standings. Returning to the Ginetta family this year, he won the Ginetta GT4 SuperCup crown at his first attempt following a sensational campaign.Just this week, the talented British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star was the delighted recipient of the Henry Surtees trophy at the BRDC Annual Awards lunch on Monday at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London. The prestigious accolade was presented to Charlie after the club declared the teenager to have delivered ‘the most outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star’ in 2014.“I’m absolutely thrilled to be racing in the European Le Mans Series with Ginetta and Nissan in 2015”, said Charlie, “I can hardly believe my team-mate will be Sir Chris Hoy, he is a sporting legend and I know I will learn so much as we pursue the same goal of racing in the Le Mans 24 Hours.“It’s incredible to think that only four years ago I joined the Ginetta family as a Junior Championship driver and in 2015 I’ll be testing a Ginetta-Nissan LMP3 at Le Mans and competing with Sir Chris Hoy in the full European Le Mans Series. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, so a massive thank you has to go to Lawrence [Tomlinson – Ginetta Cars Chairman] and, of course, my sponsors Investigo.”Hoy, Britain’s most successful Olympian and most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time, made his true endurance motorsport debut in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship this year at the wheel of a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 racer. Now, like his new team-mate Charlie, the Scotsman is relishing the prospect of competing in the ELMS in the all-new LMP3 class.“I’m delighted to be stepping up to race in the European Le Mans Series for Nissan next year”, said Hoy, “This takes me another step closer to my motorsport dream of competing at Le Mans. This year was a great experience racing in the British GT Championship, but I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn to bridge the gap to be competitive at Le Mans. I’m also excited to be joining fellow Scot Charlie [Robertson] who’s already achieved so much in his young motor racing career.”Since purchasing sportscar manufacturer Juno in early August, Ginetta Cars Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson and the Team LNT designers and engineers have been working hard to ensure the LMP3 project hits the ground running. Coupled with the prestigious Nissan partnership, the signing of Charlie to partner Sir Chris Hoy underlines Ginetta’s commitment to success in the ELMS.“I’m delighted Sir Chris is joining our LMP3 project, he is the ultimate sportsman, and it’s a very proud moment to see Charlie, who started his career in our Ginetta Junior Championship, now reaching the top levels of endurance racing”, said Tomlinson, “It shows how Ginetta can take you from karting all the way to the pinnacle of motorsport. What a fantastic way to end 2014, 2015 is set to be an exhilarating year.”2015 European Le Mans Series CalendarRd1 - Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit, UK - 10/11 April Rd2 - Imola, Italy - 16/17 MayRd3 - Red Bull Ring, Austria - 11/12 JulyRd4 - Paul Ricard, France - 5/6 September Rd5 - Estoril, Portugal - 17/18 October
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