24 Hours of Le Mans

Bleekemolen joins Spyker Squadron at Le Mans

Snoras Spyker Squadron has completed its line-up for the Le Mans 24 Hours after signing Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen. Bleekemolen will join Tom Coronel and Jarek Janis in the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R at the Circuit de la Sarthe next June.

The Spyker team has been able to assemble a highly experienced line-up for its Le Mans attempt in the LM GT2 class. Earlier on the Dutch team already confirmed Tom Coronel and Jarek Janis for the Le Mans 24 Hours as well as the full Le Mans Series.

Like his two team mates Jeroen Bleekemolen has got a lot of experience in sportscar and GT racing and is also very familiar with the team from Zeewolde, The Netherlands. Bleekemolen already raced for Spyker in the Le Mans Series and at Le Mans back in 2006 and has since then raced for Racing for Holland and Van Merksteijn Motorsport. Last year Bleekemolen won the LMP2 class at Le Mans.

Jeroen Bleekemolen: “I have done my first Le Mans with the team in 2006 and It is great to be back with Spyker. Although we have been part of the same team, I actually never shared a car with Tom Coronel before. I know him very well and he is a great fellow to work with. Jarek and myself have both competed in the DTM, he is a very strong driver and a great asset to the team. When I visited the Spyker Squadron workshop last week I was amazed to see how much progress has been made, they have a very professional approach to Le Mans. I am already looking forward to the race in June”.

Peter van Erp, Managing Director Spyker Squadron: “I am delighted to have contracted Jeroen for Le Mans. Like Tom and Jarek he is familiar with the team and car and we absolutely need his speed and experience to compete against the fierce Porsche and Ferrari competition”.

Mr. Victor Muller, CEO Spyker Cars: “It seems that there is an inverse situation at Le Mans in 2009. Whilst the world is submerged in an unprecedented crisis, the Le Mans field is one of the best ever seen. This applies to all classes and certainly to GT2 in which Spyker Squadron will participate with one C8 Laviolette GT2R. To compete in this highly challenging setting, Spyker Squadron has managed to attract the best drivers it could possible find. It was already communicated that Tom Coronel would join Jarek Janis at Le Mans and we are proud to announce that he will be joined by Jeroen Bleekemolen.

(Updated with quotes from the press release)