Olivier Pla will join TDS Racing for the 2014 Spa 24 Hours, the headline race for the Blancpain Endurance Series.
Pla, who will drive the #10 BMW Z4, will be joined be TDS’ regular trio of Eric Clèment, Benjamin Lariche and Nicolas Armindo for the race, with the runner up in LMP2 at Le Mans in 2013 hoping to give the trio double Blancpain points come 1600 on July 27.
“I am delighted to compete the 24 Hours of Spa with the TDS Racing as well as with Eric, Benjamin and Nicolas. Above all, Eric and Nicolas are close friends. It is great to be able to compete this race with them in such good conditions!
“Concerning the team, I know the potential of the TDS Racing and all the work they have done up to now. It will be my fourth participation; I hold this race very dear to me.
“In view of the potential shown in Castellet, the BMW is one of the best GT3s at the moment and for Spa, it will be an excellent car. My target is to give the best of myself and to get a good result. I think it will be a tough race; we will have to stay out from any problems and traffic. According to me, it will be a very interesting race!”
TDS’ other BMW, the #12, has also had its driver line up increased, with regular duo Henry Hassid and Nick Catsburg being joined by 2012 European Le Mans Series champion and TDS Racing regular Pierre Thiriet and BMW Works driver Jens Klingmann.
“I learnt I would participate in the race only two days ago,” said Klingmann. “I am just looking forward to being in Spa. I drove with Marc VDS last year so I know the track and the car pretty well, I did many races in Nurburgring and others tracks with the BMW Z4. It will be my first time with the team. I know it is a good team and I already know a couple of guys from the past, especially Nick Catsburg who was in the Marc VDS sister car last year in Spa.
“The car is competitive and I think we could at least make it to the podium. But Spa is very demanding for the car and for the drivers. The car is good enough to be in front and is very fast for sure. The 24 Hours of Spa is a tough race, it will be 24 hours of sprint race. The key is to do as fewer mistakes as possible or even no mistake at all to end up in front.”
The 2014 Spa 24 Hours takes place on July 26, starting at 1600 Local, with the race finishing 24 hours later on July 27.
