French team TDS Racing have confirmed their 2024 IMSA lineup, with New Zealand’s Hunter McElrea set to compete in the Endurance Cup alongside Mikkel Jensen and Steven Thomas in the LMP2 class.
“Very happy to be joining this mega driver lineup and team,” McElrea posted on social media following the announcement. “I’ve had races like the Daytona 24 Hour and Petit Le Mans on my bucket list, so I can’t wait!”
“Can’t thank these guys enough for the opportunity. Going to do everything I can to help Mikkel and Steven get the Championship!”
Gold-rated French driver Charles Milesi will join the trio for January’s 24 Hours of Daytona.
McElrea’s signing comes off the back of two seasons in Indy NXT (formerly Indy Lights), where he finished as Rookie of the Year and fourth overall in 2022 and as runner-up in 2023.
The Kiwi driver finished with 13 podiums from 28 starts in Indy NXT, including three race wins. He was in contention for the 2023 title, which Christian Rasmussen ultimately won, until the season’s final race at Laguna Seca.
The IMSA Endurance Cup covers five famed events, including the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, 6 Hours of the Glen, Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis, and Petit Le Mans, a 10-hour race at Road Atlanta.
Full-time drivers Jensen and Thomas finished third overall in the LMP2 Class in the Endurance Cup in 2023, alongside third driver Scott Huffaker.
The trio, along with IndyCar driver Rinus VeeKay, had led the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona until an accident in the seventh hour forced them from the race. They finished second in class and fourth overall at the 12 Hours of Sebring before coming into grief at the Watkins Glen 6-Hour and Petit Le Mans.
Jensen and Thomas also finished third in the overall Sportscar Championship standings.
The 2024 IMSA Endurance Cup begins with the 24 at Daytona on January 25-28, which is followed by the 12 Hours of Sebring (March 13-16), 6 Hours of the Glen (June 20-23) and Petit Le Mans (October 9-12).
Header Image: TDS Racing
