If there is one automobile event known to everyone, novices and enthusiasts alike, it is “Les 24h du Mans”, a legendary race that culminates in the sporting season and is broadcast worldwide. “Le Mans” as the riders call it, is as unavoidable as it is feared because the stakes are so high for anyone who wants to be at the top of the podium.

A few days before its launch, we met Erwin Creed, a rider in the LMP2 category which allows teams/pilots to progressively reach the highest level and which is reserved for independent private teams. The opportunity to learn more about all its upstream preparation, its motivational levers, its path, and its eventful daily life between company manager (at the head of the world-famous perfume family business Creed), family man and sportsman.

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You are a company manager and a father and husband, what place does motor sport have in your life?

Home of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans is hallowed ground in the world of motor racing. Along with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (constructed in 1909), the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans is one of the oldest active racing facilities, having first hosted the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923. The world famous 24 Heures du Mans motor race was first held in 1923 when the car that covered the greatest distance was a Chenard & Walcker Sport 3 litre driven by a team of French drivers. In 1924 a privately entered Bentley won. From 1927 to 1930 the works Bentley's driven by the 'Bentley Boys' won four times in a row.

For a few years now, it has been an important part of an already busy daily life! I first started karting again about 6 years ago, a sport I practiced very young, before making the transition to the car via Formula Renault, a discipline for access to motor sport where we find many drivers directly from karting. I then competed 3 years ago in LMP3 at Le Mans, a category launched in 2015 for access to the endurance discipline (LMP2) of the same championship. Then last year, my best friend suggested that I form a team to start in the LMP2 category together. Training has therefore intensified with regard to the various levels climbed, while effectively combining professional and family life.

How do you prepare for such a race?

There is no secret, it requires an almost monastic lifestyle for several months beforehand! Training is constant, regularity is the key. Sport must be almost daily, just like being careful about what you eat and drink, limiting alcohol as much as possible for example. I am very often on business trips, sometimes on the other side of the world, so I always take my sneakers with me and get up an hour earlier to go running. And once you arrive in front of the breakfast buffet, you continue on the same path by opting for fruit rather than pastries, as well as professional lunches where I am careful. Motor sport is very demanding, and injuries that happen quickly, so you have to put as many safeguards as possible in place, and good health, endurance, a strong physique, are undeniably part of it. Rigour is linked to the search for performance and is therefore not subjected but rather thought of as a lever. And when you see the results on the track, you know you’ve done the right thing!

What are your goals for this year in Le Mans?

Of course, we always keep in a corner of our head the dream of a podium, even if in our case it seems difficult. Unfortunately we are two “Bronze” pilots in the crew and we are not fighting on equal terms. However, we are at the top of the list in our category, which is a huge challenge for us. In motor sport, as in any sport at a certain level, you have to be a competitor at heart, and always expect more. Our goal this year is to surpass ourselves, while having as much fun as possible, all this – if possible – without breaking the bank!

Speaking of breakage, how’s the equipment insurance going?

Personally, my family has been insured by PSPI for many years, so it was only natural that we decided to entrust them with the car insurance. Given their experience in special risks and the high quality of their claims management, this removes a burden and allows us to focus on the essential: management.

Erwin Creed in the middle and his teammates Romano Ricci and Nick Boulle

PSPI team wishes the best to its customers participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year!

The registration process for the 2019 Le Mans 24 hours has been announced.

The dates for the race will be 6th-7th April 2019. As usual the circuit will be open for free practice and night time qualifying on the preceding Friday.

24h Du Mans Slot Racing Schedule

Eligible cars for this year’s event will be LMP cars 2010-2018 and GT cars 2012-2018 that have race in the Le Mans 24 hours during the period. The official source of reference will be the website racingsportscars.com*
There are a couple of changes to the 2019 technical formula which are described in brief;

• Maximum axel width for all cars is now 63.0mm. Rules on scale bodywork +/-3.0mm still apply
  
• All LMP1 and LMP2 cars minimum weights are now 17.5g body, 69.0g total
  
• All LM GT cars minimum weights are now 19.0g body, 72.0g total

There are no other changes. The technical regulations in full can be found in the standards section of this website.

The choice of car must be specified at the time of registration, but may be changed up until the final payment is made prior to January 31st.

24 Heures Du Mans Slot Racing

How to register:
The registration form can be accessed by following the following link; https://goo.gl/forms/M1n0Fm3AHvGaabgC3
While the form is online now, it will not be accepting responses until Saturday 15th September from 11:00 BST.

Entry fees
The entry fee is £225.00 with a deposit of £25.00 required at the time of registration to secure a place. The entry form does not contain a checkout and all payments must be made manually. Details are provided on the form.

24h Du Mans Slot Racing Video

*we know that at the time of posting RSC does not have a 2018 gallery, obviously they are not as organised as we are!