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Mansell targeting Le Mans outing

Former Formula One superstar Nigel Mansell is aiming to enter this year’s Le Mans 24 hour race after linking up with British sportscar team Beechdean Motorsport.

The 1992 World champion has formed Beechdean Mansell Motorsport and plans to enter a factory-backed Ginetta-Zytek Z09R in the LMP1 class of the Le Mans Series this year, with the ambition of also competing on the prestigious Circuit de la Sarthe.

Mansell’s sons, Leo and Greg, will share the entry with the former IndyCar champion joining them for selected events.

“I’m very happy to announce this partnership between myself and Beechdean,” said Mansell. “The team comes fresh to the LMS with an impeccable pedigree and full support from Zytek.

“I’m very excited about 2010 and the prospect of racing with both by sons for the first time. I can confirm that I will be racing with Leo and Greg during the season and, if we receive an entry, we will also be racing at Le Mans.”

Both Nigel and Greg have already raced together in the LMP1 category after savouring last season’s LMS round at Silverstone, while Leo raced a Team Modena Ferrari F430 GT in the LMS and at Le Mans.

Beechdean boss Andrew Howard is relishing the chance of linking up with Mansell and moving his team into prototypes, having previously raced in the GT category.

“It has been an ambition of mine to race a Le Mans prototype ever since we started racing GTs,” said . “It’s a dream come true for our young team to enter into a partnership with one of the sport’s most famous names.

“Nigel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and Leo and Greg are already established as accomplished race drivers in their own right.

“We begin testing early in the new year and 2010 promises to be an exciting and dynamic year. We can’t wait to get started.”

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