Defending Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 Champions Nielsen Racing have unveiled new team pairing Matt Bell and Rodrigo Sales to join established teammates Tony Wells and Colin Noble in the UK-based team’s two-car effort in its third Asian Le Mans Series assault as the Series prepares for its delayed and re-sited four-race effort in the UAE next month.
The team have switched from Norma/ Duqueine machinery last year back to Ligier cars for the 2021 season with both cars featuring a new gold livery to commemorate 10 years of support from title sponsor Nielsen Chemicals, a relationship that dates back to the early days of the team running under the moniker of Marks Electrical Racing.
Sven Thompson, Team Principal Nielsen Racing: “Nielsen is not returning to make up the numbers, we want to defend our Asian Le Mans LMP3 title! The condensed calendar is certainly a new concept to many, getting through that many races in a short period of time will be intense for drivers and staff alike. Winning last year 2019-20 was an amazing feeling but 2020 will always be remembered for the tough and difficult year everyone has had. For 2021 I want to see the team back on the podium at every round as I know we are more than capable of that, in Asia and then Europe.”
Defending champions Tony Wells and Colin Noble return for their third straight season of Asian Le Mans, while the sister car features an all-new lineup with Matt Bell and Rodrigo Sales.
Matt Bell is the defending IMSA Prototype Challenge champion and is also no stranger to the Asian series, Having secured LMP3 victory at the 4 Hours of Fuji in 2018. Matt has a long record of success in GT racing, notably as part of a podium-winning effort for the factory Bentley team at the Bathurst 12 Hours.
Rodrigo Sales will be making his Prototype debut in Dubai, having come from a background of TC and GT racing in the US before moving last year to GTE in the European Le Mans Series with JMW Motorsport last year. he had an opportunity to sample the Dubai Autodrome earlier this month racing in the Dubai 24H in an Audi TCR car.
Matt Bell, Driver, #8 Ligier JS P320: “I’ve known the team for a few years now so it’s great to finally join Nielsen Racing for this years (slightly different) Asian Le Mans Series! This will be my third time taking part in the series, the title has eluded me so far but we hope to put that right this time.
“I’m also excited to be teaming up with Rodrigo, we’ve been doing some work together in the offseason and it looks like we can be a competitive lineup. Can’t wait to get going! ”
Colin Noble, Driver #9 Ligier JS P320: “I’m really excited to be returning to Asia with Tony to defend our title with Nielsen Racing. It’s going to be a very busy two weeks for the team with the added challenge of changing to a new car! We can’t wait to get started.”
