Gulf Goes for Glory at Le Mans
11 Jun 2019
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Le Mans, France |
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Gulf adds DragonSpeed LMP1 to its 2019 Le Mans challenge in quest for outright honours
50 years on from Gulf’s second victory at Le Mans, the famous oil and fuel brand is delighted to unveil its partnership with the DragonSpeed LMP1 team at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
DragonSpeed’s BR1-Gibson livery features the legendary Gulf blue and orange racing colours and pays homage to Gulf’s three outright victories at Le Mans – prominently displayed on the car’s tail fin – while the rear wing flap lists the Gulf world championship sportscar victories at some of the world’s greatest race tracks. |
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“It all sounds a little romantic, and I suppose it is,” explains Gulf Oil International’s Vice President of Marketing, Alexandra Ip, “but Gulf is very proud of its incredible heritage in sportscar racing – and at Le Mans in particular – and so when the opportunity arose to compete 50 years on, in a state-of-the-art top category car, we couldn’t turn it down.
“We are very excited to partner with DragonSpeed, as they certainly know their way to the winner’s rostrum - as demonstrated at Daytona and Spa already this year, in becoming the first team to win its class in FIAWEC, ELMS and IMSA in a season – so we hope to challenge for a place on the overall podium.”
“If any brand embodies the excitement, passion and spirit of Le Mans, it has to be Gulf,” enthused DragonSpeed Team Principal, Elton Julian. “We’re thrilled to partner with this iconic brand and become part of Gulf’s amazing Le Mans and endurance racing history. This is a partnership the entire team is incredibly revved up about.”
DragonSpeed is a multi-programme race team with a great sportscar racing pedigree, and this season it has become the first team to have secured LMP2 class wins in the WEC, ELMS and America’s IMSA series.
Three weeks ago, the team also made its Indianapolis 500 debut, qualifying Britain’s Ben Hanley into the race in its first visit to the famed Brickyard – no mean feat considering the stellar names who didn’t make it into the field. Hanley forms part of the driver lineup for Gulf and DragonSpeed at Le Mans, together with Dutchman Renger van der Zande and Swedish pilot Henrik Hedman. Look out for the latter’s spectacular Gulf Le Mans tribute helmet.
The number 10 DragonSpeed machine will supplement Gulf’s long-standing partnership with the Gulf Racing GT team, whose Porsche 911 will also contest the LMGTE Am category in the world’s greatest endurance race.
Gulf’s has long seen motorsport as a proving ground for its products. During its recent partnership with Aston Martin Racing, Gulf became the most successful lubricant in the history of the World Endurance Championship with more than category wins to its name. Gulf also has a range of competition products ranging from gear oils to brake fluid. Gulf is delighted that its newly announced Car Care range will be used by DragonSpeed during this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
Qualifying for Le Mans takes place on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th of June, with the race starting at 15.00 CET on Saturday 15th June.
For further details, please contact Gulf Oil International press officer Simon Maurice - simon.maurice@gulfoilltd.com |
