Johansson joins LeMans grid

Former Le Mans overall winner Stefan Johansson is returning to the 24 Hours this year with the inclusion of the Epsilon Euskadi-Judd in LMP1. The prototype coupe takes the place of the Italian Lucchini-Judd LMP1, which failed technical inspection today and withdrew. The addition of Johansson, who serves as a third driver for Patr¢n Highcroft Racing, brings the total number of American Le Mans Series drivers at Le Mans this year to 44.

Johansson took his overall win at the 24 Hours in a Joest Racing Porsche 935 with Michele Alboreto and Tom Kristensen, the first of the Audi legend’s seven career Le Mans victories. A famed ex-Formula 1 driver, Johansson posted class wins for Toyota in 1992 and in 2003 with Champion Racing and its Audi R8.

This will be Johansson’s 14th career start at Le Mans. He drove the works Courage LC70-AER last year and placed 12th. Johansson will drive the Epsilon coupe with Jean-Marc Gounon and Shinji Nakano. The car will go through technical inspections Wednesday morning at the Le Mans circuit.

In his lone American Le Mans Series start this year, Johansson came home fifth overall (fourth in LMP2) at Sebring with David Brabham and Scott Sharp in the Patr¢n Highcroft Acura ARX-01b.

The collection of drivers representing the American Le Mans Series this year at the 24 Hours has combined for 26 overall victories and 61 class wins in 250 starts.