Tyler resident, former NASCAR car driver on track in France to race in Ligier European Series | Local News

Tyler resident and previous NASCAR driver Lance Fenton, along with teammate Kevin Madsen, have teamed up as the only All-American driver staff at Le Mans in the Ligier JS P4, currently taking area in France. The drivers partnered with renowned French crew, Les Deux Arbres for their debut in the Ligier European Series and are racing as No. 50 Les Deux Arbres.

Fenton and Madsen have raced together in a range of unique collection amassing podiums at numerous U.S. tracks, as very well as European circuits, like Spa-Francorchamps. They now appear to incorporate to that achievement by focusing on long term drives collectively in the Ligier European Collection, commencing with Le Mans.

The 24 Several hours of Le Mans is an endurance-centered sports activities car or truck race held each year in the vicinity of the town of Le Mans, France. It is the world’s oldest energetic endurance racing event.

Unlike mounted-length races whose winner is identified by minimal time, the 24 Hrs of Le Mans is received by the car or truck that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours. Racing groups have to equilibrium the requires of velocity with the cars’ means to operate for 24 hours without the need of mechanical failure, in accordance to Fenton.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans was initially operate in Could of 1923 and is so legendary Hollywood made a film about the race showcasing Matt Damon and Christian Bale, Ford vs Ferrari.

Fenton claimed the motion picture introduced understanding of the race to the public and felt fortunate to be competing.

“I’m just fortuitous to have the possibility to be equipped to race this observe. It only races twice a year as it encompasses metropolis streets in Le Mans,” Fenton reported. “The Ford vs Ferrari film included some expertise to the typical general public about its historical past and has made it even additional preferred.

“It’s the pinnacle of highway class racing.”

Fenton discussed the likelihood to contend came by way of invitation.

“It was by invitation from Ligier, the producer of the motor vehicle. They are trying to raise interest in this sort of vehicle in The united states,” Fenton stated. “We are racing a Ligier P4 which is a newer car or truck to the racing scene. There are now significantly less than 20 in existence and they are all carbon fiber.”

“We were privileged sufficient to get a brief introduction to very similar variations of the automobiles that are in the Usa and that certainly bought us thrilled for the possibility at Le Mans. To visualize the Ligier JS P4 going down the Mulsanne straight is a racer’s dream,” he mentioned.

On Wednesday, the 39-vehicle Ligier European Collection area, with 12 Ligier JS P4s and 27 Ligier JS2 Rs took to the legendary 24 Several hours of Le Mans circuit wherever Fenton and Madsen ran persistently in the prime 5 during the 1st apply session.

Fenton, who has been racing for 30 yrs and strategies to contend in various additional European sequence races, reported the duo had a quite particular objective.

“Keep penalties to zero and finish in the best three in course,” he mentioned.

Qualifying races will acquire position up to the early morning of the Le Mans 24 Several hours on Saturday.

Are living stream will be readily available for Race 2 on the Ligier European Collection YouTube web site.