Larbre Competition returns to its roots in search of a fresh sporting challengeReigning champion Gael Castelli set to lead attack
Larbre Competition will return to its roots in 2014 by launching a twopronged assault on the ultra-competitive Porsche Carrera Cup France.
Since cutting their teeth in the category 25 years ago Larbre have gone on to enjoy significant international success, including five class wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours and the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship LMGTE Am Trophy. Two of those La Sarthe victories came with Porsche machinery thanks to back-to-back successes for their 911 Carrera RSR in 1993 and ’94.
Seeking a fresh sporting challenge in 2014, the Val de Vienne-based squad will look to make an instant impact on the category and havesignalled their intent by selecting reigning series champion Gael Castelli to lead the assault. The 24-year-old secured last year’s title driving for his family-run team, having previously claimed the domestic Peugeot THP Spider Cup and SEAT León Supercopa in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
Now he will look to take the next step towards a professional career with Larbre Competition by drawing upon their significant experience ofinternational GT racing. And the Carrera Cup represents the ideal place to do so having produced several top-line drivers, including the 2007 champion Patrick Pilet.
Now a factory Porsche GT pilot, Pilet also acts as a coach for the marque’s scholarship programme and lent his support to Castelli’s selection.
The driver of the team’s second car will be announced during next month’s Porsche test day at Paul Ricard (18-20 March).
Gael Castelli: “I am very happy to be joining Larbre Competition andtheir Team Manager Jack Leconte, who I met at the Val de Vienne circuitin Le Vigeant. I would like to thank him for selecting me to race in the2014 Porsche Carrera Cup France. It’s great to know that Jack noticedmy potential. Working together I’ll be able to make further progressthanks to his structured and professional team, as well as gaininggreater experience that allows me to take another step forward. I cannotwait for the season to start; the introduction of a new car sees everythingre-set to zero, so we’ll be working hard to ensure we’re at the front fromthe outset of the championship. I would be very proud to help LarbreCompetition secure the title, as well as adding another to my own racingCV.”
Jack Leconte, Team Manager: “As the starting point of the LarbreCompetition story, the Porsche Carrera Cup France holds a specialplace in my heart. I competed there myself for seven seasons whilealso running drivers in the premier class, yielding five titles thanksto Dominique Dupuy, Jean-Pierre Jarier, Christophe Bouchut andSebastien Dumez.
“The exceptional quality of Porsche competition cars provides greatmotivation for my technical team. We have contested 17 seasons in theCarrera Cup with a host of different models, from the 944 through tothe 997, and when I saw the new 991 I could tell it was an exceptionalmachine.“So the decision has been made. Larbre Competition will return to theCarrera Cup and race the way we believe is correct: without Balance ofPerformance!
“On the driver front, we will continue our tradition of nurturing youngtalent. After discussing the potential candidates we are thrilled to confirmthat Gael Castelli will carry the #1 on his Larbre Competition car thisseason.
“Now the hard work begins so that we can be fully prepared when wearrive at the Bugatti circuit for the opening round April. We must alsofocus on integrating Gaël with our race engineer Johannes and ourtechnical manager Philippe, both of whom are delighted to be workingwith Porsche machinery once more. The objective will be to ensure Gaëladopts a truly professional approach before helping him progress to the next level of endurance racing in the future.
“Our second car will be for either a junior driver or the B Trophy and we are currently assessing candidates. As such the Carrera Cuprepresents a full-time commitment for Larbre in 2014. We cannot wait to receive our new 991s and contest the opening test session, whichwill bring together both the French and Italian teams for a full week.”
2014 Porsche Carrera Cup France calendar1. Le Mans Bugatti 25-27 April2. Imola 16-18 May3. Lédenon 30 May-1 June4. Le Mans 11-14 June5. Magny-Cours 5-7 September6. Nogaro 26-28 September7. Paul Ricard 24-26 October
