Sam Brabham Selected For RaceTo24 And A Shot At Le Mans

Sam Brabham (R) with dad David (L)

is in with the chance of a lifetime, to win a seat on the grid at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours as the third driver for Team SARD-Morand, following confirmation of his selection for the RaceTo24 online reactive reality competition.

The 20 year-old third generation driver was picked from over 100 applicants to make the final squad of 24 drivers hailing from 17 countries worldwide, all battling to win one of the greatest prizes in motorsport. Among three UK entrants, Sam will also be up against drivers who cover the ranks of F3, GP3, GP2, F2, Indy Lights, IndyCar and sportscar racing.

A multiple British Formula Ford race winner, Sam has an epic journey ahead. He has 12 weeks in which to prove his sportscar potential driving on some of the greatest circuits across the globe while tackling 36 physical and mental challenges set by Team SARD-Morand team manager Benoit Morand.

Brabham’s every effort will be covered via the online reactive reality competition before moving onto television, allowing fans to follow the contestants and interact every step of the way leading up to judgement day at Le Mans. Viewers will be invited to vote and comment as each week’s events unfold.

“This is an incredible opportunity," said Sam. “I’ve always dreamt of racing at Le Mans and being selected for RaceTo24 brings that dream one step closer. I’ve already been looking towards a move to sportscars and options for LMP3 this season and it would be amazing to have the chance to do both.

“I haven’t raced for the last eight months or so, which has been tough, and I’m up against some really experienced drivers. But there’s no reason why I can’t go out and impress, it only makes me more determined to show what I can do.

“There are a lot of challenges ahead and I can’t wait. I love travelling; I’ll be going to some amazing places, so I’m planning on enjoying every experience and learning as much as I can."

Despite the family’s world-renown motorsport heritage, Sam came to racing reasonably late aged 15. He graduated to single-seaters in 2013 with limited karting experience, built from arrive-and-drive karting and progressing to the national ranks.

The Banbury domiciled University of Northampton student delivered an outstanding debut MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain season, ranking Scholarship runner-up and fourth overall despite missing the opening rounds. Earning selection as a BRDC Rising Star and joining the MSA Academy, he also achieved international top 10 status in the MRF Challenge.

Sam went on to carve out his own piece of family history as the first Brabham to win in British Formula Ford, turning both first career pole positions into his first MSA Formula Ford Championship victories at Thruxton in 2014.

Should Sam master the huge task ahead and get to Le Mans, he will be the third generation of the Brabham family to race at La Sarthe. Father, sportscar legend David, seized outright victory and his third consecutive class win in 2009, while uncle Geoff also won for Peugeot in 1993.

The RaceTo24 victor will not only win their place aboard the Morgan EVO SARD at Le Mans, but also continue to compete with Team SARD-Morand for the remainder of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship.