AN East Lancashire-based team is set to compete in the world’s most famous motorsport race.

Drivers from RLRM Sport will compete in five races across Europe this year in the hope of qualifying for the 2012 Le Mans 24-hour.

The world-famous event, which takes place annually in the French town, was first held in 1923, with teams racing for a full day to take the crown.

This year, RLRM, which is based on the Hall Moss business park, Bull Hill, Darwen, is competing in six-hour Le Mans affiliate races, to be held at Silverstone, in Portugal, Italy, Belgium and France.

After their MG-powered Lola EX265 car has completed all five events later this year, RLRM bosses are hopeful an application to compete in the 24-hour Le Mans race in 2012 will be successful.

Team principal Nick Reynolds said: “We are confident we will be fine for next year. Before that, we have just got to show we support Le Mans by competing in these six-hour races.

"If we do, it will be very exciting – the pinnacle of my career.”

Team RLRM collected its best Le Mans Series result to date with a fifth place in the LMP2 class in the Six Hours of Le Castellet, at the Circuit Paul Ricard, near Toulon, in the South of France. The next round of the championship takes place at the famous Spa Francorchamps circuit, in Belgium, from May 5-7.

Mr Reynolds, 36, who lives in Bromley Cross, is an engineer by trade and has been involved in motorsport all his working life.

He founded RLRM with business partner Jason Longworth, and the business now employs seven people.

However, if the Le Mans application is successful, 20 people will travel to France.

It is expected to cost £50,000 just to enter the world-famous competition, with finance coming from RLRM’s three drivers and MG.

Mr Reynolds has urged East Lancashire companies to sponsor the team in return for having their name displayed on the race car.

Visit www.rlrmotorsport.com for more information.