Wolfgang Reip steps into the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time, in one of the most non-typical debuts yet seen for the world famous race – in the hybrid electric Nissan ZEOD RC. Nissan is entering the car in the “Garage 56” category, which is a special entry slot by Le Mans organizers reserved for experimental or innovative racing concepts. He’ll share driving duties with team mate and colleague Lucas Ordoñez, who will be contesting his fourth straight Le Mans.
Wolfgang was chosen based off his previous success during the Nismo Athlete racing programs and one off drives. Putting in a solid season in the Blancpain Series and successful stints in the WEC Greaves Nissan LMP2 car, he has sufficiently impressed Nismo and GT Academy heads. Now he has his chance to prove his worth yet again, this time in the biggest race of them all.
Wolfgang has already put in seat time with the ZEOD testing it in a shakedown to familiarize himself with the unique package.
“Every time we have given Wolfgang another opportunity, he has grabbed it with open arms,” said Darren Cox, Nissan Global Motorsports Director. “He impressed everybody with his speed in Dubai last year, did a brilliant job in the Blancpain Series and then really opened everyone’s eyes with his LM P2 pace in Bahrain. Not only has he been fast, but he is a quick learner and his technical feedback has been quite exceptional. We’ve already had him behind the wheel of the ZEOD RC in testing and he has again really impressed everyone. He and Lucas work very well together, and it is quite fitting that our first couple of drivers on such a unique electric-powered car began their careers with a PlayStation plugged into the electric power socket in their living room.”
See more articles on 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nissan ZEOD, and Wolfgang Reip.
Lets hope it doesn’t get pushed off the track by a LMP1 car this time ;)
Goodluck ‘Wolfie’ !!!
Can we put an asterisk next to all the stories about the ZEOD racer? Yeah know, *lawsuit pending*. Lol, that thing can’t even race without resolving the Don Panoz lawsuit, though Nissan may run it even if it’s not resolved, but then they are gonna take a huge hit if they lose the lawsuit. I did take the time to read the lawsuit too, Don Panoz has a good case and the only way I see it going away and the ZEOD still running is a lot of money to Don Panoz.
the car still looks stupid
Truth.
first