Nicky Catsburg is preparing to join Algarve Pro Racing Team for his first competitive LMP2 outing in the opening round of the 2016-17 Asian Le Mans Series (AsLMS) at the Zhuhai International Circuit (29-30 October).
Catsburg, aged 29, has proven to be incredibly versatile, easily flitting between an array of GT and touring cars in various championships with sprint and endurance formats that require contrasting approaches.
This year, the Dutchman’s time has been split between BMW’s factory effort in the Blancpain Endurance Series, a victorious FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) season with LADA SPORT and a partial campaign in the WeatherTech United SportsCar Championship.
Prototypes are relatively unfamiliar to Catsburg, although the 29-year old has previously raced an LMPC car in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and tested Algarve Pro’s LMP2 racer, and his performances have prompted the Portuguese team to sign him for the first round of the burgeoning AsLMS at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China.
Catsburg, who will share the #25 Ligier JS P2 with young Frenchman Andrea Pizzitola and Michael Munemann, said: “I have done quite a lot of work and testing with Algarve Pro Racing Team in the past and I have a good relationship with the team. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of its Ligier LMP2 and I’m really excited about racing these cars for the first time.
“I am a very lucky man to be able to compete in so many different classes of car and racing in LMP2 has always been a goal. I am super thrilled that it’s happening now. The Asian motorsport scene and the Asian Le Mans Series seem to be getting bigger and better and this year there is quite a big entry. The goal would be to win the race, but it isn’t going to be easy racing a new car on an unfamiliar track. With Algarve Pro’s experience, I expect to be in the mix.”