Crowdstrike Racing by Algarve Pro (APR) has finalised their driver lineup for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15-16 June 2024, as Nicky Catsburg joins team regulars Colin Braun and George Kurtz.
The Dutchman won last year’s Centenary Le Mans in the GTE-Am category for Corvette Racing, with the help of teammates Ben Keating and Nico Varrone, in addition to the championship title.
He will join Braun and Kurtz in their #45 Oreca 07-Gibson in the LMP2 Pro-Am category, amidst a stacked grid for the 92nd running of the race.
Braun and Kurtz won the 2023-24 Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 title with Crowdstrike by APR, and so they earned an invitation which will see them defend their reigning LMP2 Pro-Am victory from last year.
Kurtz earned his own invite after he became the winner of the Jim Trueman Trophy in the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“It is a very big honor to be part of CrowdStrike Racing by APR at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Catsburg ahead of his sixth Le Mans start but his first in a sportscar prototype.
“I feel like Le Mans is always a race that is ‘unmissable’… as in we all as drivers want to do this race every year.
“It’s a very cool opportunity for me to do this in a class that I haven’t raced in before.
“I have some mileage in an LMP2 car but not a lot; it’s been six or seven years since I drove one of these cars.
“So it will be a steep learning curve but with Colin as my teammate, he’s going to get me up to speed quite quickly.
“I feel like with George [Kurtz] that we form a strong lineup that should be able to fight for the win in the class.
“It’s also very cool for me to work with the APR [Algarve Pro Racing] team. I have known Stuart and Samantha Cox for a long time and many years ago I did quite a bit of work with them.
“So it’s nice to join them. It’s a new challenge and a racecar with a bit more downforce than what I am used to.
“I’m looking forward to jumping in the car for the first time.
“We obviously will do some testing before Le Mans, and I can’t wait for it.”
“I’m very happy for Nicky to join Colin and me for our Le Mans lineup,” added Kurtz.
“Together, we will bring a team powered by strength, experience and a tradition of winning to the CrowdStrike Racing by APR LMP2 entry.
“Nicky’s record speaks for itself with a win at Le Mans and some of the biggest races in the world,” including wins at the Daytona 24 Hours, Nurburgring 24 Hours, and the Spa 24 Hours.
“His experience and talent will be valuable as we go for a second straight Pro-Am victory at Le Mans.”
