Super Formula and Super GT ace Tsugio Matsuda will join KCMG for selected rounds of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship.
Matsuda, who raced with the team at the Fuji round of the WEC last year, will join Richard Bradley and Matt Howson for the Silverstone and Austin rounds of the championship, as well as the series’ official ‘Prologue’ at Paul Ricard on March 28-29.
“It is an honour to represent KCMG in the 2014 World Endurance Championship,” said Matsuda, who was Formula Nippon champion in 2007 and 2008. “The WEC is a very competitive motorsport platform and to be part of this championship presents great opportunities for my career. I would like to thank Paul Ip, Ryuji Doi and all of my sponsors for giving me the chance to participate in the WEC this season.
“It is my objective to give back to the team and my supporters by delivering positive results in the upcoming events. I am looking forward to this challenge and can’t wait to test the ORECA 03–Nissan LMP2 at Paul Ricard next week and to compete alongside Richard and Matt in April.”
Paul Ip, KCMG’s Managing Director, said: “This latest addition to our driver line up strengthens our aim to be one of the LMP2 frontrunners on the WEC grid this season. Tsugio has raced and won titles in top level Formula and GT championships in Japan. His skill and competitiveness translates to wins and we saw how he delivered strong results in our LMP2 in the 6 Hours of Fuji and 3 Hours of Sepang last year.
“KCMG has established a formidable relationship with Tsugio, and the team is looking forward to working with him in the World Championship this season.”