Andy lands top Le Mans drive with Oreca driving the OM1 ! (photo left -& report by rob allender)

WRDA member Andy Meyrick, will be fulfilling a lifetime’s ambition on 12th & 13^th of June this year when he makes his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the most famous motor race in the world and the jewel in the crown of international sports car racing. Andy will be a part of the driving team driving the Oreca OM1 sportscar powered by a British Judd V10 engine, in this, the 78^th running of the race.

Apart from the obvious challenge of avoiding the pitfalls of a 24 hour endurance race, and getting the car to end of the race, getting any sort of a result will be formidable task. Meyrick and his team mates, experienced French aces, Soheil Ayari and Didier André, will be up against diesel powered entries from Audi & Peugeot, in a race that potentially favours the diesel cars, but amongst others there will be a pair of works Lola Aston Martins and the Ginneta Zytex of F1 World Champion Nigel Mansell & his sons Greg & Leo, all of whom will be directly competing against Meyrick and his team-mates.

Although Meyrick has gained some endurance racing experience recently this is only his 3^rd season in top flight racing. The 24-year-old shot to prominence in 2008 in the prestigious British F3 Championship, where he scored 7 wins and nine pole positions in twelve races. He then got some experience of endurance racing in 2009 with the Kolles Audi R10 TDI in a series of 6 hour races and, more recently, in America with Dyson Racing in their Mazda-powered Lola B09/86 coupé, which he drove in the 12 hours of Sebring.

Andy said "To do Le Mans for the first time with such a well-known and respected team as ORECA is just like a dream. I’d like to thank Hugues de Chaunac for giving me the opportunity to compete at Le Mans with one of the most iconic teams in the business." Hugues de Chaunac, (left) boss of ORECA has achieved a worldwide legendary status and has even been awarded Frances’ highest honour, the Legion d'Honneur; for his services to racing. De Chaunac formed ORECA in 1972 and over the years has been responsible for the early development of a string of young drivers, including Grand Prix winners Jacques Laffite, Rene Arnoux, Jean Alesi; and famously 4 times Formula One World Champion Alain Prost. ORECA has won the Le Mans 24 Hours and countless other endurance races and is one of the most successful racing teams in existence. Over the years the company diversified and is now a huge and successful company.

Andy continued "Up to now I’ve only seen the race as a spectator, since I was four years old! I had my first taste of the ORECA 01 recently, and I found it fantastic. With my two experienced teammates I’m sure we’ll be competitive. Oreca will be using Dunlop tyres for the first time this year and as I’ve already raced on Dunlop tyres I hope to make a big contribution to the team."

The ORECA 01, with Andy Meyrick and Soheil Ayari at the wheel, will take part in tyre testing sessions organised by Dunlop in the coming weeks as part of the build up to the 24 hour Classic .

Live Commentary from Radio Le mans http://rlm08.0157.org

http://www.andymeyrick.com   

Photo top left & article by  Rob Allender - others photos coutesy of media.lemans.org

http://www.lemans.org/en/