Tung gets KCMG Le Mans seat

Chinese driver Ho Pin Tung will compete at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours with the KC Motorgroup squad.

The 30-year-old will replace Hong Kong driver Jim Ka To for the round-the-clock race.

To was part of a three-man team that finished 12th overall, and sixth in the LMP2 class, in this year’s Silverstone World Endurance Championship opener.

Alex Imperatori and Matt Howson both retain their seats and will line up alongside Tung at Le Mans.

Tung, the first Chinese driver to enter the Indianapolis 500 in 2011, said he was looking forward to making history as part of the first Chinese team to race at Le Mans.

“I am thrilled having been invited to join KCMG and compete in the world’s most appealing racing event,” he said.

“KCMG will be the first Chinese team ever to join the Le Mans 24 Hours race and I consider being part of this history in making, this June, as a great honour.

“I have raced in the streets of Monaco and at Indianapolis. To complete the magic three is the dream of every racing driver.”

KCMG owner and managing director Paul Ip hailed Tung’s arrival, saying: “He has proven himself dexterous in different areas of motorsport and has emerged as one of Asia’s most talented drivers. I believe that he will be a great addition to the team.

“We haven’t stopped working since the last event at Silverstone. Currently, we are in the process of strategising to ensure that our Le Mans outing will be impeccable.”

Tung will continue his commitments in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the Asian Le Mans Series, which has been trimmed to four races, alongside making his Le Mans bow.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/tung-gets-kcmg-le-mans-seat

Jacky Ickx Yuji Ide Jesús Iglesias Taki Inoue Innes Ireland