KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) heads to the south of France for The Prologue at Circuit Paul Ricard on March 28-29. It will be the team’s opportunity to complete on-track testing with Richard Bradley, Matt Howson and Tsugio Matsuda in the new Oreca- Nissan LMP2 ahead of WEC’s season opener in Silverstone next month.
The first day of WEC’s official pre season test will see three sessions, including a run in the dark on Friday evening. The Prologue will continue on Saturday with stints in the morning and afternoon, and an autograph session with WEC fans at lunchtime.
Apart from testing the new Nissan-powered Oreca 03 alongside other WEC full season entries, The Prologue will provide the team with a proper venue to practice pit stop procedures and gauge each driver’s endurance limit in a real race situation.
Richard Bradley, KCMG WEC Driver: “I’m very excited for the WEC Prologue at Paul Ricard. It will be my first time on a circuit that I have always wanted to race at. Personally, it will be special for me as it will be my first time driving in the night, which I am really looking forward to. I am excited to be teaming up with Tsugio Matsuda again after our strong showing in the 6 Hours of Fuji last year and to continue the strong progress I made with Matt Howson in our last test earlier this year.”
Matt Howson, KCMG WEC Driver: “After many months of waiting, I am thrilled that the 2014 season is finally here. We have a new team, new car, new drivers and new tyres, so I’m under no illusions about this first test, we are on a steep learning curve! However, all the elements are as prepared as they can be and previous testing has shown excellent pace, so Paul Ricard is about putting that together and giving us all a chance to work as a team ahead of Round 1 in Silverstone. KCMG will be ready, and we are hungrier to win than anybody!”
Tsugio Matsuda, KCMG WEC Driver: “I’m looking forward to join the team at Paul Ricard and test the new car with Richard and Matt. The last time I drove an LMP2 was in December and I’m very eager to be back in the car again. The two day test will give us an opportunity to work together as a team and develop the car further ahead of the first WEC event in Silverstone.”
Paul Ip, KCMG Managing Director: “We produced encouraging results during the first shakedown of the new Oreca – Nissan at Aragon in February and after all the preparations and work that we’ve done since, we are set for the official WEC test at Paul Ricard with Richard, Matt and Tsugio. Our technical partners Oreca and Dunlop, have placed a great deal of effort to help us put together the new car and our goal is to complete the testing sessions on top of the timesheets.”
For more information about KCMG, visit www.kcmg.com.hk. To keep track of latest updates, please like KCMG’s Facebook page or follow @KCMotorgroup on Twitter and Instagram.
