BGTC: Lord Drayson leaves UK post to race in America

PARLIAMENT'S LORD DRAYSON RESIGNS TO RUN IN AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES
Drayson competed in the British GT series.

One of the British government's senior members of the House of Lords has taken a leave of absence from politics -- to go racing in the American Le Mans Series.

Lord Drayson, who was serving as Minister of State for Defense Procurement and Defense Minister in the House of Lords, resigned his political post today. The Aston University graduate with a PhD in robotics and former founder of PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, plans to compete in a yet to be named bio-ethanol fueled car in the Series beginning next season.

In a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Lord Drayson said: "As you know, I have a passion for motor racing and over the past year have competed in the British GT championship, racing a unique bio-ethanol fueled race car, achieving an 'historic first' win for a green fueled car and coming second overall in the championship.

"A number of special circumstances have now presented me with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take my racing to the next level. I have the opportunity to race in the American Le Mans Series in the United States, a key step toward my eventual dream of success in the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race.

"I have always admired the American Le Mans Series and particularly its vision to have bio-fuel entries in 2008 and can't wait to start."

It is expected that Drayson will provide further details about his program before the end of the year.

-credit: alms