In 2015, the Chinese national anthem played for the first time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans podium. It celebrated the KCMG team's win in LM P2, with the No. 47 Oreca 05-Nissan driven by Nicolas Lapierre, Matt Howson and Richard Bradley. In this class, China's chances for success have doubled in 2016.

KCMG, a crown to defend - In 2015, the team based in Hong Kong won a dominating victory, with 349 laps in the lead since the pole. This year KCMG decided to switch classes for its entry in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), going into LM GTE Am with a Porsche 911 RSR (No. 78). So this year the team will be present at the 24 Hours with two cars. The No. 47 Oreca 05-Nissan is making a unique appearance at Le Mans to defend its title. Matt Howson and Richard Bradley will be behind the wheel again, but Nicolas Lapierre, gone to join Signatech Alpine, has been replaced by Japanese driver Tsugio Matsuda. A nod to the team's history, this trio won KCMG's first victory in the LM P2 class in the WEC. It was back in 2014 at the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas with a Morgan-Nissan.

Baxi DC Racing Alpine, the Franco-Chinese alliance - After a stunning end-of-season last year, Signatech is doubling down at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, with two Alpine A460-Nissans. Entered by Philippe Sinault's team, one of them (No. 35) will sport the colours of David Cheng's team. For his third participation, Cheng is competing in his first 24 Hours of Le Mans as an outfit owner. along with his fellow countryman Ho-pin Tung for the third time. In 2014, with Adderly Fong they formed the first 100% Chinese team to take the start at the 24 Hours, finishing seventh in the LM P2 class at the wheel of a Ligier JS P2-Honda HPD. This year, David Cheng and Ho-pin Tung will compete with French driver Nelson Panciatici, a regular with Signatech Alpine, with whom he won two consecutive LM P2 drivers titles in the European Le Mans Series (2013 and 2014) and finished third in the class at the 24 Hours (2014).

Photo: TOWCESTER (NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, U.K.), SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT, 6 HOURS OF SILVERSTONE, SATURDAY APRIL 16 2016, FREE PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING. One year after its win in LM P2, KCMG will return to Le Mans in 2016 in two different classes: once again in LM P2 with the Oreca 05-Nissan, and in LM GTE Am with a Porsche 911 RSR (pictured here).