TDS Racing, an unwavering loyalty to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

In 2022, there is talk of TDS Racing x Vaillante on a two-year project which should coincide with the release of a Michel Vaillant album which will take place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mathias Beche, already in the team ten years ago, is back with a structure that has grown over the seasons to become one of the reference teams in LMP2. The Swiss driver is accompanied by Tijmen van der Helm, rookie at Le Mans, and Philippe Cimadomo, rookie and gentleman. The trio has had two European Le Mans Series rounds to get their bearings. Xavier Combet spoke to Endurance-Info about TDS Racing's preparation for Le Mans and how it has evolved over the years.

Does running this year in the ELMS and not in the WEC change the preparation for Le Mans ?

"The European rules are different from those of the WEC. We are faced with the challenge of adapting the 'Le Mans WEC'  aero kit to our car. To test this configuration, we had to go and drive on a fast track like Monza. The feedback from the drivers was positive. Moreover, since the arrival of the Hypercars, the performance of the LMP2 cars has been degraded to maintain a sufficient gap with the premier class."

The current situation remains tight on the supply side. Do you have everything you need ?

"At the moment, we are not directly impacted because our organisation leads us to stock up for the season. From November/December, we look ahead to the following year and the requested stock has been received. The subcontractor for the gearbox has nevertheless indicated that there could be delays in the revision due to a lack of parts. Generally speaking, all prices are revised upwards and it will be difficult to bring down a price that has gone up. The legislator must therefore be as attentive as possible."

This year, you are running two rookies at Le Mans. Are you particularly apprehensive ? 

"It's true that we have two rookies, one of whom is a gentleman who has come to do motorsport at a high level by realising his dream of going to Le Mans in LMP2. For him, it was a question of being backed by a team that knows the category and Le Mans. Finishing the first races was already the objective and the two ELMS rounds resulted in podiums in LMP2 Pro-Am thanks to the performance level of the three drivers and the team. At Le Mans, we have to avoid the problems and finish the race."

TDS Racing is one of the oldest teams at Le Mans. That should reassure everyone

?

"I used to watch teams like Larbre Compétition and Corvette Racing, which impressed me because they knew all the little things of this race."

Was there an edition that stood out for you ?

"2012 because it was our first Le Mans with a second place in LMP2 for Pierre Thiriet, Mathias Beche and Christophe Tinseau. To be on the podium inevitably marks the spirits, and even more so from the first participation. This one was very emotional. Each time TDS finished the event, it was on the LMP2 or LMP2 Pro-Am podium."

Is it possible to be at Le Mans in 2022 like in 2012 ?

"We would be out of date because things have changed a lot in a decade. Today, the paddock is much more like a city than in the past. Everything is more structured and more professional. The teams have all become stronger. In 2012 there were 14 technical staff and about 20 in total, now there are 40. We have two physios, a PR person, a coach and more than 20 mechanics. The LMP2 class is the field for private teams but everything is so professional that we need the experience and know-how to secure the drivers who trust us."