Goossens back at the wheel for Jaguar RSR in 2010

Marc Goossens will join Paul Gentilozzi behind the wheel of JaguarRSR’s XKR GT for the full 2010 season.
 

The JaguarRSR race team confirmed today that Marc Goossens will return to the cockpit of its Jaguar XKR GT cockpit for the full 2010 American Le Mans Series in the intensely difficult GT class. He will share the seat with team owner Paul Gentilozzi in the nine-round championship.

“It is an honor for me to be selected by Jaguar Cars and RSR to drive the No. 33 JaguarRSR XKR GT and to be a part of this new Jaguar racing program,” Goossens commented. “I can’t wait to get through all the testing and development and get back to racing at Sebring after what we accomplished at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and the progress the RSR team has made this winter.”

The vastly experienced sports car driver is a Belgium native but currently resides in North Carolina as he continues to pursue his racing career in North America. Beginning in 1985, Goossens developed his résumé in series such as Formula Ford, FIA F3000, FIA GT, Japanese Formula Nippon, Belcar Championship and others, as well as entering multiple endurance races with nine starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He holds a record with four wins (1997, 1998, 2005, 2007) in the Zolder 24 Hours along with Vincent Dupont and Anthony Kumpen.

“I look forward to racing in the American Le Mans Series,” he said. “As a sports car driver, the biggest challenge is the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the best training ground for that race is the ALMS. Having raced in the 12 Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, and most recently at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, those were just one-off events so I am really looking forward to participating in the American Le Mans Series for a full season. It goes without saying that I am very excited to take the green flag in March and fight for the championship for JaguarRSR.”

Goossens was asked to join the JaguarRSR team for the debut of the new JaguarRSR XKR GT racer at the last year’s Petit Le Mans, and piloted the big cat to its first green flag during the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

 “I have great respect for Marc,” said Gentilozzi. “He is a very talented driver that has a lot to offer to this Jaguar program. He provided valuable feedback during our initial testing and development in 2009, and drove flawlessly at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Moving forward for 2010 and fighting for a championship title, we know Marc is going to be a key factor both on and off track.”

Goossens and Trans-Am legend Gentilozzi are the two confirmed drivers for the JaguarRSR XKR GT entry in 2010. Additional drivers will be added to the lineup for the endurance events this season.

Source ALMS © RIF