Like Tinseau, Jean-Bernard Bouvet is a driver and instructor in Le Mans. And like Tinseau, he has plenty of racing experience, having taken part in the legendary 24-hour race eight times! His last appearance was in 2006 at the wheel of the Courage C65 fielded by Belmondo Racing in the LM P2 class (the team was forced to retire in the 48th lap).

Frédéric Sausset, who lost all four limbs to illness, has selected this well-liked experienced driver as the third man on his team at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Sausset is in fact the first driver with this type of disability to take to the start of the world’s most famous endurance race. His team has been assigned Garage 56, reserved for innovative cars and the Morgan LM P2 is certainly ground-breaking: it is fitted with a full range of equipment designed to help the SRT 41 team leader make his dream come true.

We are all delighted to bring the project to fruition, says a delighted Sausset after a three-year battle to secure his chance to race. We have the same mind-set. First and foremost, it’s a human challenge, between friends. We didn’t want someone who was there just for the self-promotion, looking for an opportunity for next season. Jean-Bernard shares our philosophy and is an excellent, consistent driver to boot!

Bouvet knows Sausset from the 2015 VdeV season. My 9th appearance at Le Mans will be a bit different – I'm joining a team that will be making history. This experience is a first for the race. I really like Frédéric – he’s so convincing and determined. When he phones, it’s hard to say no! He’s got that something special. I know that if we don’t make it to the end, it will be down to mechanical issues and not because he faltered. I’ve already seen him drive and have no doubts about his ability at the wheel.

The three drivers will take part in the Prologue at Le Castellet on 22 and 23 March, then testing at the Le Mans Bugatti circuit on 1 April before the race in Silverstone in mid-April. I can’t wait to get in the car! says Jean-Bernard, who has yet to discover the Morgan.

On my team, I’ve got Christophe who’s raced the 24 Hours of Le Mans 11 times, and Jean-Bernard who’s done it 8 times. It’s my first time, but we’ve got a good average between us! jokes Sausset. Though it puts a bit of pressure on me!

No doubt that pressure will spur him on!

- Céline Gualde/ACO | Translated from French by Clair Pickworth

PHOTO: LE MANS (FRANCE), Quinconces des Jacobins in Le Mans city centre, JUNE 2006. Jean Bernard Bouvet, left, with his teammates at the time, Yann Clairay and Didier André and the Courage C65 at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2006, his last appearance there to date.