Archie Hamilton has secured a drive in the American Le Mans Series with PR1 Motorsport. 20 year old Hamilton will make the step up into sportscar racing later this season, competing at Mid-Ohio on 5th-6thAugust and Road America 18th-20thAugust
Basingstoke-based Hamilton has been honing his driving skills in the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship so far this season, in preparation for his move into sportscar racing. In the opening six races, he has taken three podiums and currently sits second in the championship standings.
The move into the ALMS sees Archie move one step closer to his ultimate ambition of racing in the Le Mans 24 Hours, emulating his grandfather Duncan Hamilton and winning. He had his first taste in PR1's LMPC car in a two day test at Californian circuit Buttonwillow in May, where he set quick times on both the short and full circuit configurations.
Owner of PR1 Motorsports, Bobby Oergel said: “One of the exciting things about Archie is that he's very 'green' as far as open wheel prototype racing and his adaption rate was awesome. It fits how he looks to want to be driving and he has the right attitude, charisma and character. He's striving for a career in motorsport and is very grounded. I really think he wants to do it the right way and earn it – not wait at home to be handed a drive. His speed was good and he didn't put a wheel wrong in the test. He did everything that we asked him to do. I think working together we will make a better programme for both of us.”
Hamilton added: “The plan to work on my race-craft and increase track time with Formula Renault has definitely paid off and these two ALMS rounds fit in well with Renault's August break. I got in the LMPC car at Buttonwillow and had to adapt to the differences – mainly getting used to being patient through slow corners, the aero and the weight distribution, but it wasn't difficult. I'm really looking forward to being part of the PR1 team which has made me feel so welcome and showing what I can do.”
