Larbre Competitions preparations for this years Le Mans 24 Hours continued with scrutineering in the city centre on Monday following the teams annual team building training camp.
Over a week might has passed since the events official Test Day on June 9 but the French squad has not wasted a moment in its efforts to capture a third consecutive GTE Am class victory, and fourth in succession, with its pair of Corvette C6.Rs.
That evening all six drivers Patrick Bornhauser, Julien Canal, Ricky Taylor, Manu Rodrigues, Philippe Dumas and Cooper MacNeil along with Team Manager Jack Leconte, flew straight to the Golf du Medoc in Bordeaux for what has become its traditional pre-race team building exercise.After all of the drivers were assessed by Larbres physical trainer Jerome Vassia, it was on to the National Centre for the Training of the Gendarmerie Forces (CNEFG) in Saint Astier near Perigueux where a special programme of activities, designed to instil team spirit, had been planned high in thetree tops.
Corvette factory driver Taylor then headed to America to fulfil his Grand-Am commitments, but was back in France, along with the rest of the team, for scrutineering at La Republique Square on Monday.
Patrick Bornhauser, #50 Corvette C6.R: The camp at the Golf du Medoc again went well and allowed us to better get to know our newAmerican team-mates. We completed the training course with the French gendarmerie, which included some new exercises that all of the drivers completed with flying colours. Then on Monday we had scrutineering in downtown Le Mans. Once again it was a huge success as a lot of media attended and asked us if we could win the class for the third time in a row. The car and all of the drivers were passed fit for the race so all thats leftis to get out on track and see what happens. Lets wait and see.
Julien Canal, #50 Corvette C6.R: We spent three great days at the training camp where Jrme Vassia and Jack Leconte surprised me again! We have become closer, bonded and got to know each other better. I discovered different and very interesting character traits amongst the other drivers that I did not know about beforehand. Id like to thank Larbre for that unforgettable experience. Scrutineering meanwhile is always a special moment,especially as I live in Le Mans. We can get closer to the public who get involved and help to create a warm atmosphere. Its a greatplace to meet and chat with the fans and members of the media.
Ricky Taylor, #50 Corvette C6.R: I didnt know what to expect ahead of the training camp, but thebond created between everyone was amazing. We all overcame our fears and struggled throughsome difficult exercises that required us to work together. I had a great time! I arrived at Le Mansfollowing the Grand-Am race at Mid-Ohio over the weekend and have shifted my focus to concentrateentirely on this race. Im delighted to have arrived without any issues and cant wait to get out ontrack with the team to get a feel for it in dry conditions. Working with Larbre has been an excellentexperience and Im looking forward to continuing to build on our relationship this weekend.Manu Rodrigues, #70 Corvette C6.R: The three-day training camp was a dream and everyoneworked well together. Everybody was pulling or pushing in the same direction and this compensatedfor our differing physiques. In addition, the other drivers were relying on you, so there was no wayyou could disappoint them. The Gendarmes team was exceptional. Attending scrutineering with ateam like Larbre, which has a big reputation and notoriety, is quite impressive. It is well structuredand you cant fail to be impressed. Everything is looked after 100% and you dont feel alone: youare part of a team. In fact, you are the team. We have two great cars, two great crews and two greatdriver line-ups. Everything comes together to achieve our single goal: to finish in the best possibleposition.
Philippe Dumas, #70 Corvette C6.R: The training camp was a great idea to improve the teams cohesion and there was a friendly atmosphere. After that you feel ready to participate in this team event. The two young American drivers are fantastic and have different personalities. To attend scrutineering in downtown Le Mans for the first time was one of the weeks special moments, and you cant fail to enjoy it. To be part of a structure so well organised can only give you pleasure. My situation is quite unusual as I am also the Team Manager of a different outfit, so to find myself racing for Jack Lecontes team is not common! Its a great feeling. All thats left to do is take part.
Cooper MacNeil, #70 Corvette C6.R: After the June 9th test, where we finished in the top eight of the GTE Am class, the drivers and team boss Jack Leconte went to Bordeaux for some team building. We had a great experience working out with the French National Guard. The drill instructors put us in fatigues and we jumped over logs, went through the obstacle course, helped each other climb a vertical wall and even crawled on our elbows through barbed wire. It was a very unique experience and great way to get to know my co-drivers Manu and Philippe better. During the restof our stay in Bordeaux we kept physically fit by mountain biking and circuit training. We returned to Le Mans for scrutineering. Its a great way for the fans to get close to the cars and the drivers in the historic setting of downtown Le Mans. It was great! I must have signed 200 autographs. TheEuropean fans really like the American-made Corvette. It is a great part of the entire race experience. This is where you see the classic photos of the car, team members and drivers. It is a great way to present the team to the fans prior to the race.
Jack Leconte, Team Manager: As soon as the Test Day finished we headed straight for the Le Mans Arnage Airport where Patrick Bornhausers plane was waiting to fly us to the Golf du Medoc in Bordeaux. The following day we were welcomed at the National Centre for the Training of theGendarmerie Forces (CNEFG) in Saint Astier near Perigueux. It now has a partnership with the Larbre team and, knowing the commitment of our drivers, an intense programme had been organised. The American drivers, who had not experienced these activities before, were happy to have a go once the surprise had sunk in! The team spent most of the day 25 metres above the ground. As all the activities could only be completed with everyones input, a strong spirit was able to spread throughout the team. Everyone then arrived at La Republique Square in Le Mans on Monday. Ricky Taylor only got there 20 minutes before scrutineering as he had been racing in the Grand-Am event at Mid-Ohio on the Saturday!
The final two qualifying sessions take place on today ahead of Saturdays race, which begins at 3pm local time.
