Menezes to contest Petit Le Mans with RSR racing

BRASELTON, GA – Junior formula car up-and-comer Gustavo Menezes returns to North American motorsports action this week (October 17-19), when the Californian makes his sports car debut during the prestigious Petit Le Mans presented by Mazda. Joining forces with RSR Racing, the current ATS Formel 3 Cup racer will take part in the renowned American Le Mans Series endurance race at Road Atlanta, piloting the No. 9 entry in the Prototype Challenge presented by Continental Tire class.

#9 RSR Racing Oreca FLM09 Chevrolet: Bruno Junqueira, Duncan Ende

Photo by: Art Fleischmann

Menezes, who will be making his endurance racing debut during the 1,000-mile/10-hour race thanks to support from SafetyPark, WH Sports Group, Oakley, Lightweight, TriPacific, Bell helmets, ISM Saddles, Sparco, and Replayxd, is partnering with multiple Prototype Challenge race-winner RSR Racing. As part of a multi-driver effort, the former ATS Formel 3 Cup race winner will be teammates with friend and former IndyCar star Bruno Junqueira, and sports car standout Duncan Ende.

"I am very excited to be getting my first taste of endurance racing during the Petit le Mans with RSR Racing, and am even more excited to be doing it with Bruno [Junqueira] and Duncan [Ende]," stated Menezes. "I have watched Bruno race since I was five years-old, and am now very good friends with him, which will make it easier to adapt to a new team and car. There will definitely be a lot to take in, but through the support of the team and the drivers, I know we will manage to have a strong run.

"Road Atlanta is a very nice circuit, and I look forward to getting back there after racing in Europe this past year. The car, although heavier and with more horsepower than what I've raced before, has downforce levels comparable to what I've driving this past year in the German F3 championship. It is a long race week, so we will have lots of time to prepare.

"I would really like to thanks RSR and Bruno for helping to get me into this seat, and of course my partners SafetyPark, WH Sports Group, Oakley, Lightweight, TriPacific, Bell helmets, ISM Saddles, Sparco, and Replayxd for their continued support."

Menezes enters the prestigious Petit Le Mans having made his ATS Formel 3 Cup debut this past season. Driving for former champion Van Amersfoort Racing, the California native won twice (Lausitzring and Hockenheimring) en route to fourth in the championship and second in the Rookie of the Year standings.

The American Le Mans action official commences at Road Atlanta for Menezes and the RSR Racing outfit on Thursday (October 17) with three practice sessions. A final practice session will be contested on Friday morning (October 18), prior to qualifying after the lunch break. The 1,000-mile/10-hour Petit Le Mans endurance race is slated to get the green flag on Saturday (October 18) at 11:30 am local time.

Gustavo Menezes