Mowlem gets Porsche backing for Le Mans

The move has seen the German marque place works driver Sascha Maassen in the team's 911 GT3-R alongside Mowlem and his regular co-driver David Murry for the French race in June.

Former Pirelli Porsche Cup champion Mowlem said: "It's great that Porsche has put faith in the team and chosen to place a driver with us.

"From our point of view it's great," added the AUTOSPORT.com-backed driver. "We now have three good pilots in the car, and our driver line-up is as strong as any in the GT class."

The Australian Skea squad, which is also competing in the American Le Mans Series this year, is one of three non-European teams receiving official backing from the Porsche factory. The Japanese Taisan and US Dick Barbour Racing teams will also receive official help.

Porsche motorsports boss Herbert Ampferer said: "We're helping these teams because they're from overseas and have less experience at Le Mans. We'll give them limited support, because we look after all our teams."

The Skea entry is one of the favourites for GT class honours at the round-the-clock endurance event. Twelve other Porsche 911 GT3-Rs and a single BMW M3 E46 form the GT entry for the event, but must still gain an invitation for the race from the official Le Mans test day on April 30.