OCC LASIK Racing with Newbridge Motorsport will make its debut in the CREVENTIC 24H Series powered by HANKOOK at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet this weekend (15-17 July)
Owner/Driver Dr. Fareed Ali will be joined in the team’s newly acquired Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport by American TCR International race winner Kevin Gleason, Britcar endurance champion Nick Holden and 24H regular Ricky Coomber as part of the 4 driver line up. The Paul Ricard 24H event will be round 5 of the 24H Series and will feature a variety of machinery ranging from GT3 and GT4 models to Touring Cars and 24hr race specials as part of a car 60 grid.
Newbridge team manager Richard Tovey said “This weekend is all about us testing the car and the drivers on a race situation, being our fist 24H race. I see it as part of the learning curve. The clear objective will be getting the car to the finish line, everything else we may achieve would be a bonus. With Kevin (Gleason), Nick (Holden) and Ricky (Coomber) joining we´ve got four drivers fully focused on the event. I’m looking forward to the weekend now we are fully prepared and the car is ready”
Dr. Fareed Ali said “I think we have a great chance as a team of being competitive. There are 6 cars in our class and some of the other teams are also new to the series. Our Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport is an excellent car and on track should be very competitive with the other cars in our class. Of course, in a 24hour race, as much as anything the race can be won and lost in the pits and garage, and this is where I have the most confidence in how competitive we will be. This is my second season racing with Newbridge Motorsport, and I am convinced they are second to none in any series you can find in terms of their overall level of performance and attention to detail”
Gleason said on his return to endurance racing after 2 seasons racing in International touring cars: “I am really looking forward to getting on track. I haven’t competed in an endurance race since the Nurburgring 24 hour in 2014 so I’m really excited to join the OCC racing with Newbridge guys alongside my friend Fareed. It should be a great opportunity to get some quality seat time and also have some fun.”
Britcar champion Holden will be experiencing his first International race said: “The 24H Series is something I’ve been looking to do for a while. After driving the Cayman today (Monday) I am looking forward to Paul Ricard, the car feels fantastic to drive. It looks like we are heading into a really good race weekend”
CREVENTIC Podium finisher Coomber is keen on getting back in the championship after winning last time out in Zanvoort. “I’m looking forward to it, it will be my first time on a Porsche Cayman but I hope the team can benefit on my experience in the 24H Series. I am coming off of a series of podium finishes in Dubai and Zanvoort so it would be nice to add a new one to the list with new machinery on its first time out”