Aussies grabbing LeMans chance
Young Australian racing star Garnett Patterson will fulfil a lifelong dream when he makes his debut at the world-famous Le Mans circuit in France later this month.
The Adelaide-based driver will pair with Andres Latorre aboard a Adess LMP3 car in the Michelin Le Mans Cup ‘Road to Le Mans’ event; the key support race to the renowned 24 Hour enduro.
The event will mark the debut of the current Adess LMP3 car at the circuit as well as the Revere Racing outfit that will run the car – making for an all-Aussie team and driver squad.
The Michelin Le Mans Cup field is comprised of LMP3 and GT3 machinery and is the main support category to the European LeMans Series and the iconic LeMans 24 Hour enduro.
Patterson, Latorre and the Revere Racing team will tackle a pair of 55-minute enduro races in the leadup to the famous around-the-clock classic.
The campaign is being supported by major sponsor Revere Coffee, a motorsport-focussed specialty online Coffee brand.
Other partners include Toorace, Simpson Race Products Australia, Kennol Performance Oil and Virtus Composites.
Patterson, 27, has forged much of his Sports Car racing career internationally though in the last 18 months that has been placed on pause – thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and Australian travel restrictions.
In the meantime, he has maintained his match fitness by working on key manufacturer-based driver training and manufacturer drive experiences at The Bend Motorsport Park and other Australian circuits.
Patterson and Latorre have also both logged significant local testing miles in an Adess LMP3 car prior to their Le Mans adventure commencing.
“Before Covid all of my recent racing career has been overseas, so the last year and a half has been challenging to navigate, so I can’t wait to get back overseas and competing again,” Patterson said.
“My goal has always been to compete in the LeMans 24 Hours, so to be able to say I’m going there this year to take the first step towards reaching that goal is surreal and exciting.
“It will mark the first time the Adess Evo LMP3 car will have raced at LeMans so we’re expecting a massive learning curve for the whole team, but it’s a great opportunity to show what the team, car and drivers can do and we’re going to grab it with both hands.”
Patterson and Latorre met several years ago, leading to the pair forming a relationship that has led to the LeMans adventure.
Latorre serves as the Australia and New Zealand importer for the German-based Adess constructor, one of five ACO approved LMP3 constructors.
“It has been my dream to race at LeMans since I was a child,” Latorre said.
“With Garnett, we started this project two years ago with the goal of racing at that incredible track and event, so to be entered in the Michelin LeMans Cup this year is the next step in that journey.
“My mission is to be competitive in what is an extremely competitive field and show what our Aussie team can do.
“I’m really proud to have an all-Aussie line up this year.”
Practice for the ‘Road to Le Mans’ Michelin Le Mans Cup race commences on Wednesday, 18 August with qualifying and the first race on Thursday, 19 August.
The final race will be held on the 21st of August just prior to the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans enduro.
Richard Craill (administrator)
Working full time in the motorsport industry since 2004, Richard has established himself within the group of Australia’s core motorsport broadcasters, covering the support card at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix for Channel 10, the Bathurst 12 Hour for Channel 7 and Porsche Carrera Cup & Touring Car Masters for FOX Sports’ Supercars coverage. Pretends to be a PR guy / Journalist and sometimes photographer to make ends meet when not yelling at a television in a padded room.
