BRASELTON, Ga. – Sebastien Bourdais laughs when mentioning the simple and defined directions from Action Express Racing for the 17th Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.
The four-time Champ Car champion, who co-drove to the overall victory in the 24 Hours At Daytona in January with the team, is back in the No. 5 Prototype for the 10-hour race Oct. 4 following the Verizon IndyCar Series season in the No. 11 KVSH Racing car.
“You don’t want to be the one ruining the season-long effort,” said Bourdais, who is among the INDYCAR stars adding luster to the endurance race on the 12-turn, 2.54-mile road course.
That’s not going to occur. Bourdais rejoins Christian Fittipaldi and Joao Barbosa, who only need to take the green flag to deliver the team championship. The latter two drivers only need to complete the 45-minute race minimum driving time to wrap up the driver championship. Bourdais was the quickest driver in the second practice session. Qualifying is Oct. 3.
“They want to go and win the race and win the championship, and it’s my job to help them do it,” added Bourdais, who, following a sponsor appearance for Mistic e-cigs in Las Vegas, will head to Mexico for a vacation with his wife.
The TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season finale also features reigning Indianapolis 500 winner and 2012 Verizon IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2013 series champion Scott Dixon and 2014 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires champion Gabby Chaves.
“The team is coming off a win in Texas at Circuit of the Americas and I’m looking forward to contributing at Petit and hopefully ending the season on a high note,” said Dixon, who closed the Verizon IndyCar Series season with two victories and a runner-up finish in the final four races in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car to place third in the championship standings.
Other INDYCAR drivers competing are Ryan Briscoe, Jack Hawksworth, Martin Plowman, James Davison, Tristan Vautier and Townsend Bell.
The inaugural Petit Le Mans run in 1998 was won by Doyle-Risi Racing with drivers Eric van de Poele, Wayne Taylor and Emmanuel Collard.