Rob Bell to drive for Virgo Motorsport

Le Mans Series champion, Rob Bell, has signed to drive for Virgo Motorsport in 2008, contesting this Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the team and with the support of Dunlop.

Bell, 26, from Newcastle, has enjoyed an outstanding season of sportscar racing with the distinction of being on the podium in every Le Mans Series race on the calendar. Three wins, two runner up places and a third position from six races secured Bell the Drivers Championship in his second year of competition in the Series.

Bell says, “I have had a great season of racing with Virgo Motorsport and I am delighted to have been offered the chance to continue with the team in 2008. We’ve built up a strong relationship which has brought us both success and I’m pleased to be returning to the Le Mans Series with the team next year. I’m ready to defend my title with the team driving the Ferrari 430 GT2 racer, and I’m looking forward to expanding this to include the Le Mans 24 hour race."

“As defending champion of the Le Mans Series I don’t underestimate how tough it will be, in fact it will be tougher as everyone wants to dethrone me and I’ll be a target for the GT2 entrants. That’s a great challenge to have though. Returning to Le Mans for another crack at the top honors is also an opportunity I’m relishing. I raced there this year for the first time and I’ve definitely got the bug. It’s one of those events that gets under your skin and I can see it becoming a bit of an addiction!"

Bell was the top points scorer across all classes of the Le Mans Series this year, and with this dominant performance, contributed to Virgo Motorsport also scoring the most points of all the categories.

Bell concludes, “My priority for 2008 will be racing with Virgo Motorsport, a highly professional team, alongside fellow top-class racers, which will put me in the best position possible to retain the Le Mans Series title. With the support of Dunlop and Michelotto we are ready to take up the fight and battle through an exciting 2008, anticipating a hotly contested GT2 class."

The 2008 season begins in March with Le Mans Series official testing in Paul Ricard, France. The first race will be in Spain in early April. The blue riband Le Mans 24 Hour event takes place in mid-June.