Competing in the "24 Hours of Le Mans " is an expensive proposition. If by luck or talent you are able to raise the requisite resources, to be allowed entry in arguably the most incredible auto race on the planet, you must first qualify to run with the best endurance racers in the world. Many of these entrants are factory works teams with considerable financial resources and reputations to uphold. All will have the preparation and the mandate to carry out a fierce fight. Fortunately for dreamers like myself, money does not always decide the outcome. Otherwise, many factory teams would have won the race, for there were many valiant efforts by manufacturers in the long storied history of "The 24 Hours of Le Mans" that came to naught. You need solid equipment that can take the punishment and finish the race, a first class driver line-up, a team of great professionals working behind the scenes and a ton of extraordinary luck. In Le Mans, to win, first you must finish.
My goal of campaigning a “Privateer Team” (Non-factory Sponsored) in Le Mans using equipment powered by Hydrogen is a lifelong dream. To get there, I plan to take very small steps, first learning how to run a race team and understanding the logistics of such an event. The first two years will be the learning phase. To that end, I will try to assemble a team of amateurs who will first campaign in the “24 Hours of Lemons ”. Yes, that was not a misprint; you actually read “Lemons”, as in the citrus fruit. This event was chosen because of minimal requirements in terms of financial resources and “Brain Power” to participate effectively. Race regulations for “Lemons” require that the equipment used for the race cost no more than $500 complete. That's legalese for "You ain't racin' if your car ain't a lemon". Apart from that, you just really need a bunch of Yahoos who are short on brains, a little crazy and addicted to speed.
The first year will feature one car with 6 drivers cross-trained as pit mechanics. The second year will feature two cars driven by 3 drivers each and a corresponding pit crew, as is the format in most endurance races. The first race will be in the 2009 Season – around December, if not sooner. Between now and then, planning, organizing, raising funds, training and testing will be the focus of our efforts.
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