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High Class Racing

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Denmark High Class Racing
Founded1990
BaseVodskov, Denmark (main), L’Ametlla del Valles (Barcelona), Spain (workshop)
Team principal(s)Soren Fjordbach
Current seriesIMSA SportsCar Championship
Asian Le Mans Series
Le Mans Cup
Former seriesFIA World Endurance Championship
European Le Mans Series
Maserati Barchetta Trophy
Renault Spider Cup
Renault Clio V6 Trophy
Formula Renault
Renault Sport Trophy
Intercontinental GT Challenge
GT2 European Series
Current driversDenmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen
United States Kevin Weeda
Switzerland Nico Müller
Switzerland Fabio Scherer
Lithuania Aurelijus Rusteika
Netherlands Michael Vergers
Iceland Auðunn Guðmundsson
Denmark Michael H. Markussen
Noted driversJapan Kenta Yamashita
Switzerland Mathias Beche
Poland Robert Kubica
Austria Ferdinand Habsburg
Denmark Jan Magnussen
Denmark Kevin Magnussen
Denmark Marco Sørensen
United States Ricky Taylor

High Class Racing is a Danish auto racing team founded in the early 1990s and currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series.

History

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High Class Racing was founded in the early 1990s initially competing in the Maserati Barchetta Trophy, claiming the title and becoming European Champions in the very first year of racing. The success tied the bonds as a Maserati factory team, with the aim of evolving their GT1 Le Mans project. After a sudden diagnose of Mr. De Tomaso the program was unfortunately cancelled.

Glory times with Renault Sport

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After the successful period with Maserati, High Class Racing moved on to build a relationship with Renault and was a dominant factor throughout their European Championships. In the late 1990s and early period of the new century, the team claimed titles in both the Renault Spider Cup as well as the Renault Clio V6 Trophy. Furthermore, HCR was a leading team in the Formula Renault.

Scandinavian efforts

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High Class Racing has been competing on the Scandinavian scene for more than 20 years as a top team with prominent drivers such as Tom Kristensen, Kurt Thiim, John Nielsen, Kris Nissen, Jan Magnussen and also a very young Kevin Magnussen. During this period HCR also operated as factory backed NISSAN–McDonald's Racing.

Taking it European-wide and globally

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After many great years with top drivers in national racing, High Class Racing switched back to international level competition with a move to the Renault Sport Trophy in the Renault Sport R.S. 01 in 2016. When the series folded a new chapter was however needed.

Endurance and sprint racing

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One of High Class Racing's Oreca 07 Gibson
High Class Racing Audi R8 LMS GT2
High Class Racing Brabham BT63 GT2
High Class Racing Dallara P217 - Gibson

The team acquired a pair of brand new Dallara P217s and entered the European Le Mans Series in 2017[1] claiming an overall sixth in their first year of endurance racing, with several podium finishes on their record list. High Class Racing has been a regular entry in the ELMS ever since with a consistent driver lineup, also assisting SMP Racing in their LMP2 program in the ELMS as well as the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans.

On the other hand, the team confirmed in 2021 a new challenge in the Fanatec GT2 European Series,[2] a championship that forms part of the revitalised SRO's GT Sports Club concept[3]]. The category provides a competitive outlet for the high-power models already produced by Porsche, Audi, KTM and Lamborghini and High Class Racing entered the championship with the new Audi R8 LMS GT2 which uses a 5.2-litre V10 engine designed as a naturally aspirated unit for the first time in the racing version, delivers 470 kW (640 horsepower) and, as a result, offers nearly 30 per cent more power output than in the most powerful version the Audi R8 LMS GT3 to be by far the most powerful sports car in the history of the customer racing program. 

The team added a second entry for GT2 European Series Season Finale at Paul Ricard with Dennis Andersen and David Brabham driving the brand new Brabham BT63 GT2 Concept for the first time in an official competition.

High Class Racing was crowned 2021 Fanatec GT2 European Series Champion with 5 wins, 3 Pole Position, 8 podiums & 8 fastest laps in his debut with Anders Fjordbach & Mark Patterson behind the wheel of the Audi R8 LMS GT2.

FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans

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High Class Racing gained a late entry to the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans.[4] Despite the short preparation time, the team managed to finish in 11th position.

In 2019/2020, after a switch to French prototype manufacturer Oreca,[5] High Class Racing is participating in the (full season) 2020 FIA World Endurance Championship[6] and will furthermore enter the 2020 European Le Mans Series with a second Oreca 07.

The team confirmed later in 2020 an Oreca 07 LMP2 entry for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona,[7] which took place on 30–31 January 2021 and then some weeks later former Formula 1 driver and four time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jan Magnussen joined High Class Racing regulars Anders Fjordbach and Dennis Andersen as first drivers confirmed for the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship season. High Class Racing announced a second LMP2-entry ahead of the 2021 24h of Le Mans[8] with Kevin Magnussen as the lead driver. [9] joining his father Jan and Anders Fjordbach in car #49.

After a decent start of 2021 season at 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the team scored its first-ever WEC podium after finishing P3 in LMP2 ProAm class during 8 Hours of Portimao.

High Class Racing run an academy[10] for determined, young open wheel and endurance hopefuls, and have international level junior drivers in Formula 4 as well as touring cars.

Rolex 24 at Daytona

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After confirm the debut in 2021 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, the team confirmed their driver lineup that will be led by former Formula 1 driver and Canadian Grand Prix winner Robert Kubica, who is currently contracted by Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN as reserve driver. Kubica will be joined by Austrian DTM-star Ferdinand Habsburg, who completes the strong lineup with High Class Racing regulars Anders Fjordbach and Dennis Andersen.

Racing record

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24 Hours of Le Mans results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant No. Car Drivers Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2019 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson Denmark Dennis Andersen
Switzerland Mathias Beche
Denmark Anders Fjordbach
LMP2 356 16th 11th
2020 Denmark High Class Racing 33 Oreca 07 – Gibson Denmark Anders Fjordbach
United States Mark Patterson
Japan Kenta Yamashita
LMP2 88 DNF DNF
2021 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson Denmark Dennis Andersen
Denmark Marco Sørensen
United States Ricky Taylor
LMP2 (Pro-Am) 353 18th 4th
49 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Jan Magnussen
Denmark Kevin Magnussen
LMP2 336 29th 17th

Rolex 24 at Daytona results

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Year Entrant No Car Class Drivers Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2021 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen
Poland Robert Kubica
Austria Ferdinand Habsburg
56 Ret Ret
2022 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen
Switzerland Nico Müller
Switzerland Fabio Scherer
345 Ret Ret
2023 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen
United Arab Emirates Ed Jones
Switzerland Raffaele Marciello
646 Ret Ret
2024 Denmark MDK by High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2 Denmark Dennis Andersen
Germany Laurents Hörr
United States Seth Lucas
United States Scott Huffaker
185 Ret Ret

World Endurance Championship results

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Year Entrant No Car Class Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Points Pos.
2019–20 Denmark High Class Racing 33 Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Japan Kenta Yamashita
South Africa Mark Patterson

SIL

7

FUJ

4

SHA

6

BHR

7

COA

7

SPA

7

LMS

Ret

BHR

47 8th
2021 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2 Poland Robert Kubica**
Denmark Anders Fjordbach*
Denmark Jan Magnussen*
Denmark Dennis Andersen

SPA

9

POR

12

MNZ

9

LMS

13

BHR

8

BHR

8

25 10th

* Anders Fjordbach and Jan Magnussen didn't race with this car in 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans. Anders still sharing the #20 Oreca 07-Gibson with Dennis Andersen for the rest of the season

** Robert Kubica joined the team for season finale double-header in Bahrain replacing Jan Magnussen

World Endurance Championship LMP2 Pro/Am results

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Year Entrant No Car Class Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 Points Pos.
2021 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2 Poland Robert Kubica**
Denmark Anders Fjordbach*
Denmark Jan Magnussen*
Denmark Dennis Andersen

SPA

4

POR

3

MNZ

4

LMS

4

BHR

3

BHR

3

109 4th

* Anders Fjordbach and Jan Magnussen didn't race with this car in 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans. Anders still sharing the #20 Oreca 07-Gibson with Dennis Andersen for the rest of the season

** Robert Kubica joined the team for season finale double-header in Bahrain replacing Jan Magnussen

IMSA SportsCar Championship results

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Year Entrant No Car Class Drivers DAY SEB LGA MOH WGL ELK ATL Points MEC**
Q R
2022 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 - Gibson LMP2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen
Switzerland Nico Müller
Switzerland Fabio Scherer
4 9 6 6 3 4 3 4 1828 33

** MEC - Michelin Endurance Cup.

‡ Points only awarded towards Michelin Endurance Cup championship

Fanatec GT2 European Series results - ProAm Class

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Year Entrant No Car Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 Points Pos
2021 Denmark High Class Racing 33 Audi R8 GT2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
South Africa Mark Patterson
MNZ 1

1

MNZ 2

4

HOC 1

1

HOC 2

1

MIS 1

1

MIS 2

2

SPA 1

5

SPA 2

2

RIC 1

2

RIC 2

1


201 1st
2022 Denmark High Class Racing 1 Brabham BT63 GT2 Concept Denmark Anders Fjordbach
United States Kevin Weeda
IMO 1

5

IMO 2

4

RBR 1

5

RBR 2

7

MIS 1

1

MIS 2

6

SPA 1

3

SPA 2

2

VAL 1

5

VAL 2

6†

RIC 1

2

RIC 2

4†

140 4th
5 Audi R8 GT2 Lithuania Aurelijus Rusteika
Netherlands Michael Vergers
IMO 1

1

IMO 2

2

RBR 1

Ret

RBR 2

6

MIS 1

4

MIS 2

5

SPA 1

4

SPA 2

4

VAL 1

6

VAL 2

3

RIC 1

5

RIC 2

3†

137 5th

Asian Le Mans Series results

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Year Entrant No Car Class Drivers 1 2 Points Pos
2022 Denmark High Class Racing 49 Oreca 07 - Gibson LMP2 Am Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen
United States Kevin Weeda

DUB 1

2

DUB 2

1

ABU 1

2

ABU 2

3

73 2nd

European Le Mans Series results

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Year Entrant No. Car Class Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 Points Pos
2017 Denmark High Class Racing 49 Dallara P217 LMP2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen

SIL

3

MNZ

3

RBR

8

LEC

9

SPA

8

POR

8

46 6th
2018 Denmark High Class Racing 49 Dallara P217 LMP2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen

LEC

13

MNZ

14

RBR

12

SIL

9

SPA

Ret

POR

9

5.5 16th
2019 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen

LEC

9

MNZ

17

BAR

Ret

SIL

11

SPA

15

POR

12

4 14th
2020 Denmark High Class Racing 20 Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2 Denmark Anders Fjordbach
Denmark Dennis Andersen

RIC

Ret

SPA

13

LEC

13

MNZ

3

POR

6

24 8th

References

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  1. ^ "High Class Racing for 2017 ELMS With LMP2 Dallara". Dailysportscar.com. 19 October 2020.
  2. ^ "High Class Racing confirms Fanatec GT2 European Series programme". gtsportsclub.com. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Back to the roots of GT Racing". gtsportsclub.com. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  4. ^ "The 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours entry list in full". Motorsport.com. 19 October 2020.
  5. ^ "High Class Switches to ORECA for 2019 Season". Dailysportscar.com. 19 October 2020.
  6. ^ "High Class Racing enters FIA WEC". Fiawec.com. 19 October 2020.
  7. ^ "High Class Racing set to join 2021 Rolex 24 entry". Racer.com. 20 November 2020.
  8. ^ "2021 FIA WEC Entry List Revealed". Fiawec.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Kevin and Jan Magnussen to team up at High Class Racing". Motorsportweek.com. 23 April 2021.
  10. ^ "High Class Racing launched a new Driver Academy". High Class Racing official Facebook account. 19 October 2020.