Kane to race MG Lola at Sebring

The former British Formula 3 champion will join the team's joint owners Steve Knight and Mel Hawkins for the classic event which kicks off this year's American Le Mans Series on March 16.

Kane was part of the MG driver squad at the Le Mans 24 Hours last year, but he missed out on racing because his car was retired before he got the chance. But the Ulsterman's value to the MG Lola programme was emphasised when he was entrusted with the job of giving the 675 LMP car its first test at Sebring late last year when he set an unofficial track record.

"I would like to thank Steve and Mel for giving me such a great opportunity to compete in m first Sebring 12 Hours," said Kane. "Sebring is one of the most prestigious events of the year, and I'm relishing the thought of racing there in such a competitive car."

Along with his track experience in the MG Lola, Kane also knows half of Sebring from testing Indy Lights cars on the short circuit. The last time he raced was for the Team Green Lights outfit in 2000.

Knight said: "Jonny is a very qualified driver, which made the decision to offer him the third seat a very easy one. The fact that he performed so well in the MG Lola at Sebring made the decision all the more logical. We want to win this race - and having Jonny on board goes a long way towards that becoming reality."

Hawkins added that "several very good drivers" were interested in the drive, but that the team "simply could not ignore Jonny's experience."