New in ELMS: Dennis Andersen (High Class Racing – Dallara P217-Gibson n°49)

We caught up with Dennis to find out his thoughts ahead of the new season.

Q: Welcome to the ELMS.  What has attracted you and High Class Racing to compete in the European Le Mans Series?

Thank you! – Last year I had the pleasure of competing in the Renault RS01 series with High Class Racing and most of our race weekends were part of the ELMS weekend. The ELMS races were fascinating and I could feel the lure of again participating in endurance racing. So ELMS was an obvious alternative when the RS01 series was discontinued.

Q: You will be racing in LMP2 with the new Dallara-Gibson.  What are your thoughts on the new car?

I don't know where to start! –the new regulations for LMP2, my lack of experience with LMP cars or the constructor we have selected?

Overall, I think the new generation of LMP2 cars will be very quick – and it will of course be interesting to see if any of the chassis constructors have created something that have an advantage over any of the others (and we of course hope and think that Dallara have!)

But on a serious note, my focus will be to get to terms with an LMP2 car – it will be some time before I'll be able to extract anywhere near the most of the car. However, I do look forward to the challenge of this next step.

Q: What are your goals for your first season in the ELMS?

To be honest I think this first season will be a year of learning for me and the team – neither Anders nor I have experience with the car. In addition, High Class Racing have assembled a new team for this challenge – very competent individuals – but it might take some race weekends before everything is second nature.

Q: Of the six circuits on the ELMS calendar, which are you looking to racing on the most and why?

This question is actually quite difficult – it's an amazing selection of circuits for the 2017 season!

If I have to pick one then I will go with Portimão – I think the rollercoaster nature of the circuit will be intense and it will be at the end of the season, so I hope I have found a bit of speed at that point.

Spa-Francorchamps is always a great challenge and experience but will often throw surprises at you with the changing weather in the region.

Both Silverstone and Le Castellet are circuits that have a good mix of high-speed sections and corners and technical sections.

I can't wait to experience these circuits in an LMP2 car!