Everyone is a rookie at some point and with 168 drivers tied to the 56 cars entered you would expect a fair number of rookies here at Le Mans. Nonetheless it was stunning to see 47 rookies (including reserves) take part in the recent test day.

Regardless of their qualifications, drivers who have never competed in the LM 24, or have not competed in recent years, are considered LM rookies.  Each must complete 10 laps at the test in order to be eligible to compete in the race.

From the ALMS ranks, the 2013 rookie class includes Level 5’s Indy Car star Ryan Briscoe, and all three #93 SRT Viper drivers, Tommy Kendall, Kuno Wittmer and Jonathan Bomarito.

Rising star Cooper MacNeil, the 2012 ALMS GTC Champion also completed his rookie session. He will co-drive a GTE-AM Corvette from Larbre Competition. GRAND AM’s Ricky Taylor is also in the rookie class in another Larbre Corvette.

With mixed weather conditions expected, the challenges for the rookies will be especially high. And the challenges for the veterans, especially in the top prototypes, to slice through the traffic and avoid any unexpected moves by the rookies will have both on edge for the entire race.