DSC’s Daily Notebook (12/04/2023)

Abril joins Le Mans Cup grid

Former Bentley factory driver Vincent Abril (featured) is set to compete with Iron Lynx in the opening round of the 2023 Michelin Le Mans Cup season in Barcelona next week.

The Monogasque driver will pair up with Hiroshi Hamaguchi, and act as a sub for Leo Pulcini who has a clash with the first round of the World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at Monza.

This is Abril’s first confirmed drive for 2023, following a statement on social media earlier this month in which he admitted that lengthy negotiations with a manufacturer over the off-season fell through, leaving him without a programme at the start of the European race season.

UPDATE pic.twitter.com/mNFIGOF0GA

— Vincent Abril (@VinceAbril) April 6, 2023

Manthey to trial new Porsche in NLS3

Manthey has been granted permission by the NLS to test out a modified version of the 911 GT3 Cup 992, with technical updates that aim to solve various bits of undisclosed fedback given to Porsche by drivers.

Driving the car in the Cup 2 class at NLS3 will be Marco Holzer and Jaxon Evans.

Development run for the #PorscheEnduranceTrophyNBR
At #NLS3, #Manthey fields a #Porsche #911GT3Cup (992) with special starting permission in Cup 2 class to test various technical changes based on feedback from teams and drivers. The testdrivers are: @MarcoHolzer and @jaxonevans_ pic.twitter.com/VbAg1NbE0u

— Manthey (@manthey_racing) April 11, 2023

Calderon signs with Team Virage for ELMS

Tatiana Calderon is set to join Spanish-based Team Virage for the 2023 ELMS season, in the LMP2 Pro/Am class alongside Ian Rodríguez and Rob Hodes.

This drive sees her return to the series for the first time since 2020, when she competed with the Richard Mille Racing Team, also in LMP2.

New livery for CDR Valkyrie

World Challenge America team CDR Valkyrie is set to debut a striking new livery on its NSX GT3 EVO this season.

LIVERY REVEAL
Very excited to unveil my latest #liverydesign for @cdrvalkyrie , who are entering the @gtworldcham later this season in their @HondaRacing_HPD @Acura NSX G3 EVO 22. pic.twitter.com/6LGZB8nP10

— DAKINS DESIGN (@dakinsdesign) April 3, 2023

Christina Lam and Brian Lock appear set to test the car at Buttonwillow Raceway in California this weekend as part of the team’s preparations.

“I’m super excited to announce that I’ll be joining Brian Lock in the #11 CDR Valkyrie NSX GT3 Evo this weekend at Buttonwillow! It is a dream come true to be a part of this team!” Lam said on twitter.