JEDDAH, 5 May 2007 — Karim Ojjeh will be the only Saudi driver taking part in the upcoming ‘Le Mans 24 Hours’ car race in Paris. Saudi and international motor sport enthusiasts will have an opportunity to see him in action at the race, touted as the world’s most stunning car race, to be held in the French capital from June 16-17.
Karim, who is based in Switzerland, is participating in the event in a Zytek sports prototype racer entered by the Barazi-Epsilon Team and sponsored by Gulf Oils and TAG-Heuer watches. The credentials of Karim, who has made a mark in the the motor sport across the Gulf, include the Formula Palmer Audi series in the UK and Le Mans Series (LMS). He is now in his third year of LMS, in the LMP2 sports prototype category and has several LMS wins and podium finishes to his credit.
Known for being able to maintain a consistent and competitive pace, Karim is also acknowledged as a superb ambassador for the Gulf and it is through him that the region has increased its support of the Barazi-Epsilon team for 2007.
He completes what should be both a rapid and reliable driver line up in the number 32 car for 2007.
“Many events profess to be the world’s greatest race, but few have a stronger claim to the title than the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours,” he told the media yesterday.
Karim joins the now well-established pairing of Dutchman, Michael Vergers and team co-owner Juan Barazi.
The blend of speed and reliability, which this driver line-up should bring, will be something the team looks for again this year with its car, which for 2007 is a new and exciting Le Mans contender.
The ‘Vingt-Quatre Heures du Mans’ holds a special place in the hearts of all motor sport enthusiasts and is a particularly special event for the Gulf, which over the course of a decade — from the mid sixties to mid seventies — became synonymous with the great race. Three victories, a second place and the release of the Steve McQueen movie cemented Gulf’s place as part of the Le Mans legend.
For much of the year, most of the 13.65 km circuit is a public highway and the chicanes that can be found on the famous Mulsanne straight are used as bus stops. “Le Mans is an extremely quick track and as a driver challenge it is totally unique. Over the course of a lap, the track offers everything: short straights, long straights, slow, medium, fast and ultra-fast corners as well as tight chicanes,” he added.
The Barazi-Epsilon team is based in the very heartland of Endurance Racing, in the town of Le Mans itself.
The team is a tight and lean outfit, with a relatively modest racing headquarters compared to some of the other top line Le Mans prototype teams. It has proved to be an extremely professional and competitive outfit – to the extent that not only did it win the LMP2 driver and team titles in 2006, but it also achieved the distinction of finishing second overall at the Istanbul round of the LMS.
Barazi-Epsilon’s Team Manager Didier Faure, has a long and successful history in motor sport both as a competitor as well as in a managerial capacity and the assembled team has already established a formidable reputation, which it will be looking to build on in 2007.
This year Barazi-Epsilon will defend its team and drivers’ crowns in LMP2 with the Zytek 07S. This all-new LMP2 machine has been developed by British constructor, Zytek from its very competitive LMP1 car, which has been a front-runner in the Le Mans Series throughout the last two seasons.
