Cullen and Rojas Join DragonSpeed for 2020 ELMS
Memo Rojas |
DragonSpeed has announced that Anglo-Irish racer Ryan Cullen and Mexico’s Memo Rojas will join team stalwart Ben Hanley in its driver lineup for the 2020 ACO European Le Mans Series. Both are past winners with the team, Cullen taking LMP2 class honors at last year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona and Rojas having claimed the 2017 ELMS crown.
DragonSpeed will field a new ORECA O7-Gibson – the 54th example to roll out of the French constructor’s factory – from its European base near Marseille. The Michelin-tired number 21 machine will run in its familiar stars-and-stripes livery with support from SDS Water Infrastructure Systems, Telcel, and Banorte.
Cullen said, “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join DragonSpeed for the ELMS this season. I know and trust the team, having won the gold Rolex at Daytona last year in my very first race with them. With Ben and Memo on the strength, I believe we have a lineup the equal of any in the field. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the ORECA in testing."
“I am delighted to be back with DragonSpeed for 2020!" said Rojas. “Winning the ELMS with the team in 2017 was one of my best experiences in racing, from the human as well as the performance side. I’m really looking forward to reuniting with Elton and his talented crew as we aim to repeat our success in this great championship."
Hanley said, “Joining forces with Ryan and Memo in the ELMS this season should give us a real shot at the title. They both have the necessary speed and the right mind set for endurance racing. Even though we haven’t been in the same car until now, they’ve both been part of the team before, so I’m confident we’ll hit the ground running."
DragonSpeed team principal Elton Julian said, “We’re going all out to win a second ELMS championship for the team in 2020 and deliver a ‘three-peat’ for Memo into the bargain. Our driver lineup is a proven package, so there are no excuses. The ELMS remains the most competitive sportscar series on the planet, and we hope to complement our program there with a return to Le Mans, pending the announcement of the ACO’s invitations in mid-February."