MacNeil to drive WeatherTech/Larbre Corvette at Le Mans

BOLINGBROOK, IL, (April 4, 2013) - Cooper MacNeil will join Larbre Competition in the No. 70 WeatherTech/Chevrolet Corvette C6.R for the 24 Hours of Le Mans to run June 22-23 at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Larbre Competition enters Le Mans as the GTE-Am race champions three years running. The No. 70 Larbre Competition Corvette C6.R will be driven by MacNeil, Philippe Dumas and Manu Rodrigues. For young college student MacNeil, this will be his first run at Le Mans as well as his first run in a Corvette.

"The deal came about as a conversation we had with Gary Pratt at Pratt & Miller, and he put us in contact with Jack LeConte at Larbre Competition, and we put a deal together," MacNeil said. "I'm really excited to be in the Corvette. It is an American car running at Le Mans. That means a lot to me. I'm looking forward to going over there and driving that legendary track."

Coming off of a series championship, won the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GTC driver's title with Alex Job Racing in 2012, and adding a Sebring 12 hours win last month, the University of Colorado at Buffalo student is looking forward to the Le Mans experience.

"Larbre has won the big race three years in a row, it obviously says a lot about the team and the car. I'm hoping to make it four. Winning the ALMS GTC championship last year and now Sebring has been great. I am looking forward to going over to France and racing with Larbre Competition in the Corvette. I'm excited for the whole Le Mans experience."

"My first run in the car will be in May at the team's home track. I'll be in the car for the Le Mans test day, to get my first taste of that great eight mile circuit. I've heard really good things about the car. My ALMS teammate Jeroen Bleekemolen drove the car last year and said it's super easy to drive and a blast. That's reassuring to me. I was talking to Pratt & Miller Corvette Racing crew chief, Dan Binks, and he is going to help with some video and data. Tommy Milner and Oliver Gavin have also offered every assistance. I am planning to be pretty well prepared when I show up at Le Mans in June."

Jack LeConte, Larbre Competition team owner, welcomes MacNeil to the team for Le Mans.

"Larbre has a long-term and close relationship with Chevrolet, Corvette Racing USA and Pratt & Miller," LeConte said. "Larbre has won the LMGTE/AM class at Le Mans the last three years. Larbre Competition is preparing all details to win this great race for a fourth time in a row. In 2013, we are welcoming Cooper MacNeil, a young American driver, to build up a new page for Corvette and Larbre at Le Mans. Since we signed this agreement, I have had my eye on the American race tracks where Cooper is racing, and I am pleased to point out an impressive win in GTC at the 12 hours of Sebring three weeks ago. We will push with him to fight for another impressive win on June 23rd at Le Mans."

The 24 Hours of Le Mans test day is Sunday, June 9 with the race running June 22-23 at Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France.

WeatherTech Racing