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1978 24 Hours of Le Mans winners to return with Alpine LMP2 in hope to recreate history
ALPINE is to compete in the 2013 European Le Mans Series endurance racing championship, it has been revealed today.The newly formed Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham will also compete in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours in June with an Alpine Prototype.
Fitting perfectly with the brand’s heritage, the decision to compete at Le Mans is an important step for the sports car maker – a 50/50 venture between Renault and Caterham. It contested in the Le Mans 24 Hours 11 times between 1963 and 1978, running 55 factory cars.
They harvested seven class wins and won the 1978 Le Mans 24 Hours, with Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud achieving a combined total of 369 laps in a modified Alpine A442B prototype. They were joined in the top four by the A442 of Jean Ragnotti and Guy Fréquelin.
Pierre Ragues could help propel the team to an unlikely victory this year. Picture: .
“Alpine’s return to the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours in 2013 marks the beginning of a new adventure which is set to last,” explained Carlos Tavares, Chief Operating Officer for Renault. “The passion that drives us is matched only by the humility and careful attention paid to costs that epitomise this comeback.
Pierre, 29, has a reputation for being consistent with his experience in endurance races. Picture: .
Joining forces with Signatech, the team will enter an Alpine LMP2 prototype with an Alpine chassis, powered by a 500bhp Nissan engine for five rounds of the European Le Mans Series, with the opening race at Silverstone.
Nelson Panciatici was a star in the 2008 Spanish Formula Three season, finishing second. Picture: .
Driven by Pierre Ragues and Nelson Panciatici, a third driver will be announced when the Alpine LMP2 is officially presented in Le Castellet, France, on March 24.
Mr Tavares added: “Together, step by step, we will do our very best to write another exciting page in the history of Alpine, a truly outstanding name in the world of French sports cars.”
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