ELMS returnee Jack Manchester and young Dane Valdemar Eriksen will team up in 2023 to compete in LMP3 for British outfit RLR MSport.
Jack Manchester last competed in the ELMS back in 2019 when he raced in LMP2 for Carlin until an accident at Silverstone side lined the driver from Guildford.
So, what has Jack Manchester been up to since his last appearance in the ELMS? “Once I had recovered from the accident, I returned to compete in the 2019/2020 Asian Le Mans Series with Thunderhead Carlin Racing, where sadly we missed out winning the championship by a single point after two race victories and two further podiums,” he said.
“The intention was to build on this success with a full assault on the 2021 ELMS, as well as the 24h of Le Mans,” Manchester continued. “However, plans changed dramatically when Covid brought the world to a standstill in 2020 and 2021. Since then, I have been keeping fit and ready to return to racing, whilst also working with collectible cars for a business that I helped to establish in 2020 and which will feature proudly on my race overalls this year.”
20-year-old Valdemar Eriksen is new to Prototypes this season but has three races under his belt after competing for CD Sport in the Asian Le Mans Series earlier this year, scoring one podium from the three attempts.
So, what has tempted Eriksen to compete in LMP3 this year? “I’ve made the switch to LMPs due to there being a lot of opportunities within prototype racing, which I find really appealing. It's an obvious next step towards my ultimate goal of winning the 24 hours of Le Mans.”
As someone who has already competed in Prototypes, Jack Manchester knows what to expect but admits that driving in LMP3 will bring him some different challenges this season.
“The biggest change in terms of the driving dynamics of the car is the transition to steel brakes from the carbon setup in the LMP2,” he said. “At the same time, there is the added challenge of being aware of the LMP2s passing you, whilst also navigating your own slower traffic. It adds a new dimension to the racing and is something I am looking forward to experiencing.”
So, what do the two drivers know about each other? “As I am sure is the case with many of the teams, Valdemar and I are a new line up,” said Jack Manchester. “I am very much looking forward to getting to know him as the season progresses. I recently had the pleasure of testing with Valdemar; he is a great person and a very talented driver.”
Valdemar Erikson was equally complimentary about his new teammate. “So far, I have met Jack, he is a nice guy, and I am sure we can do a good job together this year.”
RLR MSport will have a third driver in the car alongside Manchester and Erikson, who is due to be announced by the team soon.
Finally with such an impressive selection of circuits on the 2023 European Le Mans Series calendar, which one do they rate as their favourite? “That’s a very hard question as they are all great tracks,” Manchester said. “If I were forced, and this is purely from personal experience from the ones I have driven, it would have to be between Portimão and Barcelona, especially with new change to the final section which will definitely make for some exciting racing. I have never driven Imola but cannot wait to experience such a historic and famous circuit.”
However, Eriksen had a different opinion to his new teammate. “Definitely Motorland Aragon. I love the first sector of the track, and in general it’s high-speed nature. It will also be cool to drive there under the lights.”
The 2023 European Le Mans Series will get underway in Spain with the 4 Hours of Barcelona on the 21-23 April, which is preceded by the ELMS Prologue on the 18-19 April at the same venue.
Tickets are available for the 4 Hours of Barcelona, CLICK HERE for details.
