Mark Patterson joins ELMS in support of Dyson Racing Junior Development Program and Matt McMurry

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Veteran sportscar racer Mark Patterson has joined the driving crew alongside Dyson Racing Junior Development Program driver Matt McMurry and three-time Le Mans 24 hour winner Tom Kimber-Smith in the Caterham-branded Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan LM P2 entry for the upcoming European Le Mans Series Red Bull Ring race, on July 19-20.  The announcement was made by Chris Dyson, Dyson Racing’s vice president and sporting director.

“The primary purpose of running Matt in the ELMS was to give him exposure to the highest echelon of sportscar competition and to prepare him to fulfill his goal of becoming the youngest driver to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” Dyson said. “Matt’s performance at Le Mans was impressive and he achieved not only his goal of becoming the youngest starter in the race but also the youngest finisher. His performance overall this season has exceeded our expectations. Matt’s learned most of what he can from Tom and me; now his gains will come from more time in the car and working with a variety of teammates.”

Dyson noted that the recent expansion of Dyson Racing’s horizons through the creation of the Junior Development Program and the initiation of our partnership with Bentley Motors and the establishment of Dyson Racing Team Bentley has made it increasingly important that the organization marshal its resources as efficiently as possible.

“I now need to turn more of my focus to our partnership with Bentley and our joint program in the Pirelli World Challenge,” Dyson said. “We had a great start last month at Elkhart Lake, where Butch (Leitzinger) finished sixth and fourth in the two races. We started the PWC season at its midpoint and have four race meetings remaining to develop the car further and determine our plans for the 2015 season.

“I’m grateful to Mark for stepping in for Austria. Tom continues to work with us but he has some conflicts that preclude his participation in the ELMS beyond that race.  So we’re evaluating other drivers who would wish to join Matt in the final two races on the ELMS schedule. We are working hard to build on what we started this year with the junior program, and interest in these available seats is indeed strong."

Dyson noted that with a pair of fourth-place finishes, the team currently stands second in the ELMS point standings. “We are grateful to our long-time partners and friends at Greaves Motorsport, who have fielded a strong car for us all season long. My expectation is that the team will continue to enjoy high finishes in the remaining races, and that Matt will continue with his impressive progress.”

Dyson Racing