Team chasing historic first 24 Hours of Le Mans win

A Kent motorsport team is preparing for what it hopes will be a landmark moment as it takes on one of the world's toughest endurance races.

Cadillac Hertz Team Jota, based in Tunbridge Wells, will line up at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend, aiming to secure its first overall victory in the French classic race since the team's formation in 2000.

Le Mans is widely regarded as one of motorsport's greatest challenges, with drivers racing continuously for 24 hours round the 8.5-mile (7.8km) Circuit de la Sarthe track.

Driver Jack Aitken told BBC South East: "Le Mans is the Everest of motor racing, and because it's such a prestigious race, you have to take on the great and the good if you want to win it."

For Team Jota, the event represents the culmination of more than two decades of growth from a private British team into one of the leading names in world endurance racing.

Team Jota's founder, Sam Hignett, said: "It all started with myself as a not very good racing driver.

"I took a back seat and managed the team, and we've grown from me and a mechanic to about 75 staff members for the Silverstone testing."

The partnership with Cadillac has given the team a chance to take on the best in the business, with the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Alpine in the top class of the race.

Programme manager for Cadillac Racing, Keely Bosn, said she was hopeful the team would take the top step on the podium this year.

She said: "Le Mans is gruelling. It's the pinnacle of racing and it all comes together for one long 24-hour race, and we're there to win it."

The team said that winning Le Mans remained the ultimate goal.

Last year, the team attracted global attention when former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button joined its driver lineup.

The 93rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans gets under way on Saturday, with the chequered flag falling 24 hours later.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.