The NIO EP9 that Peter Dumbreck used to set the incredible record lap at the Nürburgring will be among the display cars in Hangar 113 during the Le Mans Preview evening on Friday 24 May.
While it is not connected to Le Mans, it certainly has the performance to match – in fact better – the prototypes of the grand race. One megawatt of power, the equivalent of more than 1300bhp, propels the vast hypercar to the cusp of 200mph. Dumbreck has likened it to an LMP2 car – but obviously far heavier, and far heavier than its petrol-powered counterparts. Making that record rin even more remarkable.
Its most famous charger most certainly is connected to Le Mans. Before he lapped the Nordschleife in 7 min 05 secs to set the fastest electric lap, and then 6 mins 45 secs to set the then-fastest production-car lap of the full circuit, he was a gun for hire at Le Mans.
His debut has gone down in infamy, the last of the flipping Mercedes and the flip that nailed on their withdrawal from the race in 1999. The year before, the Scot had won the Japanese Formula 3 Championship with almost absurd dominance: eight wins in 10 races, a third and a second.
Back at Le Mans after an understandable few years away, he drove the wild GT2 class Spyker C8 with the likes of Tom Coronel and Jeroen Bleekemolen, and then returned to the top class with JRM alongside David Brabham and Karun Chandhok.
A year later, in 2013, he scored Aston Martin’s most important and emotional podium. Early on, less than 10 minutes into the 24 hours, Dane Allan Simonsen was killed in a crash on the exit of Tetre Rouge. Aston Martin raced on in honour and at the request of Simonsen’s wife, and Dumbreck, Darren Turner and Stefan Mücke claimed third. Bad luck under the safety car scuppered their chance of victory.
To see the NIO EP9 up close and in a very exclusive setting, and to hear about the most remarkable of its laps from the very man who was behind the wheel, join us in Hangar 113 for the third Scramblers ‘Evening with’. on Friday 24 May.
Tickets are available now via the Shop – a Pegasus membership is required to book.