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[EwanM]

Mansell would consider Le Mans entry

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78450

By Steven English Thursday, September 10th 2009, 09:12 GMT

Nigel Mansell says his AUTOSPORT 1000km outing this weekend could lead to a future entry in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

This 1992 Formula 1 world champion will contest the final round of the Le Mans Series at Silverstone this weekend in Team LNT's Ginetta-Zytek LMP1 car, along with his younger son Greg Mansell and team owner Lawrence Tomlinson.

Although 55-year-old Mansell says he wants to concentrate on this weekend's race before planning any future sportscar outings, he admitted that racing at Le Mans - potentially with his son - in the future is something he would consider.

When asked whether he plans to contest the 24 Hours in future, Mansell told AUTOSPORT: "This [race at Silverstone] is just a one off at the moment, but don't discount anything.

"I went to Le Mans for the first time last year and I had regrets about not going and seeing it before. The whole event and the challenge of completing the 24-hour race is amazing. Everybody that finishes Le Mans has made a huge achievement, and to stand on the podium at the end must be sensational.

"But now we are totally focused on this week. We'll get past this weekend and see how the land lies."

Mansell added that he is looking forward to this weekend's AUTOSPORT 1000km but has reserved expectations for what will be his first race in nearly two years and Greg's sportscar debut.

"We would like to do well, but unless the set-up is in the sweet spot it's very difficult to hustle the car around the track as quickly as you'd like to," he said. "There's a lot of strategy to employ and three drivers that all have to drive and feel comfortable in the car.

"It's just a fabulous thing for Greg and I to partner Lawrence in this project. The experience for Greg will be amazing and I thoroughly enjoy driving the car."

Greg's brother Leo Mansell will also be competing in the event in Team Modena's Ferrari 430 GT.

Mansell will be available to meet fans during the AUTOSPORT 1000km autograph session in the paddock on Sunday morning between 0945 and 1015.

It would be good to see Nigel in next year's Le Mans endurance race. Here's hoping.

[scotty]

If he's still fit enough to do Le Mans at 55, then that would be awesome.

[texasmr2]

If he's still fit enough to do Le Mans at 55, then that would be awesome.

If Paul Newman can win his class at the 1995 24Hr's of Daytona at the age of 70 I would like to think Nigel has a chance at 55.

[scotty]

If he's still fit enough to do Le Mans at 55, then that would be awesome.

If Paul Newman can win his class at the 1995 24Hr's of Daytona at the age of 70 I would like to think Nigel has a chance at 55.

70?! That's incredible.

[texasmr2]

If he's still fit enough to do Le Mans at 55, then that would be awesome.

If Paul Newman can win his class at the 1995 24 Hours of Daytona at the age of 70 I would like to think Nigel has a chance at 55.

70?! That's incredible.

Newman also competed in the '04 Baja 1000 aswell as the '05 24 Hours of Daytona. My point being that 30-35yr's may seem to most as 'too old for F1' there are many other form's of racing where driver's can still be competative.

I wish ol' Nige the best .

[darwin dali]

If he's still fit enough to do Le Mans at 55, then that would be awesome.

He could team up with JPM as the RING-ling Brothers Circus

[7UpJordan]

Mansell may be 56, but he's still got it, he recently did some pretty quick demo laps in a Renault World Series car at the Silverstone round.

[McLaren]

Mansell may be 56, but he's still got it, he recently did some pretty quick demo laps in a Renault World Series car at the Silverstone round.

Suprised he could fit in the car,unlike the McLaren a few years back

[Jamie]

If he's still fit enough to do Le Mans at 55, then that would be awesome.

Totally agree. I think he still has it to be honest, would be awesome to see him behind the wheel once again

[7UpJordan]

Mansell has been driving well today, even after he had a puncture and engine problem which dropped him to the back. He overtook 2 cars in one go on the Hangar straight at the beginning when he was passing everyone!