TDS Racing explained

TDS Racing
Founded:2004
Base:Saint-Aunès, France
Principal:Xavier Combet
Founders:Xavier Combet
Jacques Morello
Current Series:IMSA SportsCar Championship
European Le Mans Series
Former Series:FIA World Endurance Championship
Eurocup Mégane Trophy
Blancpain Endurance Series
Driver Titles:Eurocup Mégane Trophy


2008

Michaël Rossi
2010: Nick Catsburg
European Le Mans Series:
LMP2 2012:
Mathias Beche, Pierre Thiriet
GTC

Team Titles:Eurocup Mégane Trophy


2009, 2010
European Le Mans Series:
LMP2 2012, GTC 2015

TDS Racing (Top Drive Services, formerly known as Pouchelon Racing) is a French racing team, currently competing in the European Le Mans Series, FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

History

Eurocup Mégane Trophy (2005-2013)

In 2005, TDS Racing, founded and run by Xavier Combet and Jacques Morello, entered the Eurocup Mégane Trophy for the first time, competing under the Pouchelon Racing banner with Ludovic Badey and Matthieu Cheruy. In the next year the team changed name to TDS. After eight years of running in the Mégane Trophy, the team had scored titles in both drivers' and teams championships. The first championship title was clinched by Michaël Rossi in 2008, who won races at Spa, Hungaroring and Estoril. In 2010, Nick Catsburg became another championship winner.[1]

European Le Mans Series (2011-2016)

In 2011, the team purchased Oreca 03-Nissan car to compete in European Le Mans Series with Mathias Beche, Jody Firth, Pierre Thiriet. The team retained Beche and Thiriet for 2012 and took titles with them in drivers' and teams' championship.[2] The team has competed in BMW Z4 GT3 in the GTC Class in 2015 with Eric Dermont, Dino Lunardi and Franck Perera. They became champions in both drivers' and teams' standings.[3]

Blancpain Endurance Series (2013-2015)

From 2013 to 2015 TDS Racing competed in Blancpain Endurance Series, using BMW Z4 GT3. 2014 was their most successful season in the series, as the duo of Henry Hassid and Nick Catsburg won races at Circuit Paul Ricard and Nürburgring.[4]

FIA World Endurance Championship (2017-2021)

TDS Racing purchased two Oreca 07-Gibson cars and will make debut in the LMP2 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2017.[5] Also the team will field one car under G-Drive Racing banner.[6]

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (2023-)

TDS Racing announced on September 28, 2022 that the team would be making a full-time effort in the LMP2 class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023.[7]

Racing record

24 Hours of Le Mans results

YearEntrantNo.CarDriversClassLaps
2012 Thiriet by TDS Racing46Oreca 03-Nissan Mathias Beche
Pierre Thiriet
Christophe Tinseau
LMP23538th2nd
2013 Thiriet by TDS Racing46Oreca 03-Nissan Ludovic Badey
Maxime Martin
Pierre Thiriet
LMP2310DNFDNF
2014 Thiriet by TDS Racing46Ligier JS P2-Nissan Ludovic Badey
Tristan Gommendy
Pierre Thiriet
LMP23556th2nd
2015 Thiriet by TDS Racing46Oreca 05-Nissan Ludovic Badey
Tristan Gommendy
Pierre Thiriet
LMP2204DNFDNF
2016 Thiriet by TDS Racing46Oreca 05-Nissan Mathias Beche
Ryō Hirakawa
Pierre Thiriet
LMP2241DNFDNF
2017 G-Drive Racing26Oreca 07-Gibson Alex Lynn
Roman Rusinov
Pierre Thiriet
LMP220DNFDNF
TDS Racing28 Emmanuel Collard
François Perrodo
Matthieu Vaxivière
213DNFDNF
2018 G-Drive Racing26Oreca 07-Gibson Andrea Pizzitola
Roman Rusinov
Jean-Éric Vergne
LMP2369DSQDSQ
TDS Racing28 Loïc Duval
François Perrodo
Matthieu Vaxivière
365DSQDSQ
2019 G-Drive Racing26Aurus 01-Gibson Roman Rusinov
Job van Uitert
Jean-Éric Vergne
LMP236411th6th
TDS Racing28Oreca 07-Gibson Loïc Duval
François Perrodo
Matthieu Vaxivière
3668th3rd
2020 G-Drive Racing26Aurus 01-Gibson Mikkel Jensen
Roman Rusinov
Jean-Éric Vergne
LMP23679th5th
Racing Team Nederland29Oreca 07-Gibson Frits van Eerd
Giedo van der Garde
Nyck de Vries
34919th15th
2021 Racing Team Nederland29Oreca 07-Gibson Frits van Eerd
Giedo van der Garde
Job van Uitert
LMP2 (Pro-Am)35616th2nd
Realteam Racing70 Loïc Duval
Esteban Garcia
Norman Nato
35617th3rd
2022 TDS Racing x Vaillante13Oreca 07-Gibson Mathias Beche
Tijmen van der Helm
Nyck de Vries
LMP23688th4th
2023 Tower Motorsports[8] 13Oreca 07-Gibson René Rast
Ricky Taylor
Steven Thomas
LMP2 (Pro-Am)19DNFDNF
2024 Panis Racing[9] 65Oreca 07-Gibson Mathias Beche
Scott Huffaker
Rodrigo Sales
LMP2 (Pro-Am)29323rd4th

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Renault Megane Trophy. Motor Sport Magazine. 1 February 2017.
  2. News: Thiriet by TDS Racing crowned European Le Mans Series champions. 22 October 2012. motorsport.com. 1 February 2017.
  3. News: ELMS Crowns Their Champions, Plus Special Awards For Robertson, Hignett & TDS. 19 October 2015. Dailysportscar. 1 February 2017.
  4. News: Blancpain Endurance Series: Nurburgring 1000, Hour 6 Report. 21 September 2014. Dailysportscar. 1 February 2017.
  5. Web site: Collard, Perrodo Step Up to LMP2 With TDS Racing. sportscar365.com. Dagys. John . 26 November 2016. 26 November 2016.
  6. News: Rusinov seals WEC LMP2 return as G-Drive partners TDS. 30 January 2017. Motorsport.com. 30 January 2017.
  7. News: TDS commits to full season IMSA Program in 2023. 28 September 2022. sportscar365.com. 28 September 2022.
  8. Web site: Tower Motorsports to compete in Le Mans TDS Racing. Endurance-Info. 24 March 2023. 4 April 2024.
  9. Web site: (Almost) All Change At Panis Racing For 2024. Dailysportscar. Goodwin. Graham. 22 March 2024. 31 March 2024.