Following a successful debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) opening event at Silverstone, KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) has announced that Chinese driver Ho Pin Tung will take the place of Jim Ka To in the highly anticipated 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
Due to prior racing commitments, the 30-year-old Chinese driver missed the Silverstone event to compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup in Shanghai. Whilst Jim Ka To displayed an impressive performance during the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the Chinese Hong Kong driver will now focus on the US racing campaign that he has been initially preparing for since early this year.
Ho Pin Tung has made his mark in different areas of motorsport throughout his career. Notably, he was the first Chinese driver to qualify and race in the Indy 500 in 2011. He has also tested for Williams and was Third Driver for the Renault F1 team in 2010.
Joining KCMG’s team of Alex Imperatori and Matt Howson, Ho Pin Tung’s skill and tenacity will be tested under extreme physical racing situations in one of motorsport’s most prestigious venues. WEC’s event at the historic Circuit de la Sarthe will challenge both man and machines’ fused ability to outlast its competitors from other distinguished teams from across the globe.
Ho Pin states, “I am thrilled having been invited to join KCMG and compete in the worlds’ most appealing racing event. Only the name itself ‘24 hours of Le Mans’ is already spectacular and exciting. KCMG will be the first Chinese team ever to join the Le Mans 24 Hours race and I consider being part of this history in making, this June, as a great honour. I have raced in the streets of Monaco and at Indianapolis. To complete the magic three is the dream of every racing driver. In the forthcoming weeks I will be preparing and testing for ‘Le Mans’ , although my current involvements in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the Asian Le Mans Series will be continued as scheduled. I can hardly wait to go to the old and famous Circuit de la Sarthe with the team and I will give everything to score an impressive result with them.”
KCMG’s team owner and Managing Director Paul Ip is positive that his team can deliver strong results as it once again makes history by being the first Chinese team to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After KCMG’s momentous debut race in the United Kingdom, Ip believes that his team can possibly challenge for top positions or even a podium in France. He was quoted, “The team’s anticipation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is overwhelming. We haven’t stopped working since the last event at Silverstone. Currently, we are in the process of strategizing to ensure that our Le Mans outing will be impeccable. I am looking forward to see the team in action again and I’m pleased to have Ho Pin on board. He has proven himself dexterous in different areas of motorsport and has emerged as one of Asia’s most talented drivers. I believe that he will be a great addition to the team. “
The 81st edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held on June 22-23 at the celebrated Circuit de la Sarthe. To know more about the event, visit http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/
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.
