Martin Plowman

Martin Plowman (born 3 October 1987) is a British professional racing driver from Tamworth currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for OAK Racing. In 2013, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 class[1] and was 2013 FIA WEC World Champion in the LMP2 class for drivers and teams.[2]

Martin Plowman
NationalityBritish
Born (1987-10-03) 3 October 1987
Tamworth, Staffordshire, England
FIA World Endurance Championship career
Debut season2013
Current teamOAK Racing
Car number35
Starts9
Wins2
Poles1
Fastest laps0
Previous series
2012
2011
2009–10
2008
2006–07
2006–07
American Le Mans Series
IndyCar Series
Firestone Indy Lights
Formula Three Euroseries
Formula Renault 2.0 Italia
Formula Renault Eurocup
Championship titles
2013FIA WEC LMP2 class

Racing career

Early career

After several extremely successful years in karting, Toyota signed Plowman to a 10-year contract to their young driver program. He made his professional debut in 2006 driving in Italian Formula Renault for Prema Powerteam, finishing 5th in the Italian Series, claiming rookie of the year.

He returned to the same team and series in 2007, finishing joint 7th with Team-Mate Henkie Waldscmidt in Italian Formula Renault. A disappointing end to the campaign for the Prema Powerteam after holding 1–2 in the championship halfway through the season. Plowman was dropped from the Toyota young driver program at the end of 2007.

In 2008 Plowman became an official Volkswagen junior driver where he was assigned to the newly re-formed RC Motorsport team and drove in the first seven rounds (14 races) of the Formula Three Euroseries where he failed to score any points and only managed a best finish of 17th. He also drove in the Masters of Formula 3 with Signature-Plus where he finished 14th.

Indy Lights

In 2009 Plowman signed to drive for Panther Racing in the American Firestone Indy Lights series, the feeder series to IndyCars. Martin finished 11th in the points standings in his inaugural season with Panther Racing, while achieving two top five finishes and eight top ten finishes.

After the 2009 season, Martin signed on board with AFS-Andretti Autosport to compete with teammate Charlie Kimball in the 2010 Indy Lights season. Plowman won from the pole to capture his first victory at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He captured another pole two races later at Chicagoland Speedway but was knocked after making contact with former teammate Pippa Mann while leading the race. He finished third in the championship, one spot ahead of Kimball.

IndyCar Series

In 2011 Plowman made his IndyCar Series debut with Sam Schmidt Motorsports as a part of their partnership with AFS Racing. Plowman competed in the events at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Infineon Raceway, and the Baltimore Grand Prix, driving the number 17 car featuring the logo of Snowball Express, a volunteer organisation created to assist the children of military personnel who have died while on active duty since the 9/11 attacks.[3][4] [5] In each event, Plowman improved upon his starting position and upon his previous results, culminating in a near top-10 finish at the Baltimore Grand Prix. In the off-season, he has continued his involvement with Snowball Express, speaking to military families and touring with a show car.

American LeMans Series

On 24 February 2012, the Conquest Endurance racing team announced Plowman, David Heinemeier Hansson, and Francesco Dracone as co-drivers for the team's brand new entry in the LMP2 division of the American LeMans Series for the 2012 season. The number 37 Judd-powered, Morgan-badged car debuted at the 60th Anniversary running of the 12 Hours of Sebring on 17 March 2012.[6] The team finished 3rd in the ALMS P2 class (44th overall), despite having to replace Dracone with Jan Heylen just 12 hours before the race due to illness.[7] On 10 April 2012, the team announced a partnership with Nissan North America to supply engines for the No. 37 car for the remainder of the season, beginning at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.[8] Plowman and Heinemeier Hansson achieved their first P2 class pole and victory (3rd place overall) at the Grand Prix of Mosport on 22 July 2012. This was also the first victory for the Conquest Endurance team in ALMS competition.

FIA World Endurance Championship

After the 2012 season, Conquest Endurance ended its participation in the ALMS.

2013 season

For 2013, Plowman and his Conquest co-driver Heinemeier Hansson were both hired by OAK Racing to drive Morgan-Nissans in the LMP2 class on the FIA World Endurance Championship. Plowman shares the number 35 entry with co-drivers Bertrand Baguette and Ricardo González.

The 2013 season started at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the OAK Racing Morgan LMP2-Nissan No. 35 finished in fourth place (twelfth overall), to get their first 10 points for the World Championship.[9]

On the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, González, Baguette and Plowman finished in third position (for cars registered for points in the FIA World Endurance Championship), of LMP2 class (eleventh overall).[10]

Plowman winner of 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans edition.

In 2013 Plowman and his co-drivers Ricardo González and Bertrand Baguette from OAK Racing Morgan LMP2-Nissan team, won the 81st edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2 class (seventh overall). Their Morgan LMP2 covered a total of 329 laps in the Circuit de la Sarthe. The race was run in very difficult weather conditions and several serious accidents bringing out a record of twelve safety car caution periods.[1][11][12]

The 6 Hours of São Paulo were held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, on 30 August – 1 September. González, Baguette and Plowman got the second place of LMP2 category, only behind Oreca 03-Nissan team (Rusinov, Martin and Conway). With this result the British driver got his second podium of the year.[13]

In the fifth round of 2013 season were the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on 20–22 September. González, Baguette and Plowman obtained the seventh place of LMP2 category (eleventh overall).[14]

On 18–20 October, in the 6 hours of Fuji, following a two-hour delay the race was restarted once more under the safety car, lapping another eight circuits before officials stopped the race again and eventually called an end to the event. The No. 35 OAK Morgan-Nissan (Baguette, González and Plowman), started in the pole position and was declared the race winner of LMP2 class (fourth overall), in the same position they started. Due to difficult weather conditions half points will be awarded for all the teams and drivers in the event.[15][16][17]

During the 6 Hours of Shanghai on 8–9 November, the No. 35 OAK Morgan-Nissan trio (Baguette, González and Plowman), qualified in fourth position and finished in third place (7th overall). With this new podium the French team extend their lead on 15 points to the final race of the championship.[18][19][20]

On the last race of the season the 6 Hours of Bahrain on 29–30 November, González, Baguette and Plowman qualified in sixth place and finished in fourth position (sixth overall). Therefore, Plowman won the 2013 FIA WEC World Championship for drivers and teams in LMP2 class.[2][20][21][22]

Racing record

Complete Formula 3 Euro Series results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DC Points
2008 RC Motorsport Dallara F308/051 Volkswagen HOC
1

17
HOC
2

Ret
MUG
1

Ret
MUG
2

23
PAU
1

Ret
PAU
2

Ret
NOR
1

Ret
NOR
2

Ret
ZAN
1

20
ZAN
2

17
NÜR
1

17
NÜR
2

21
BRH
1

18
BRH
2

22
CAT
1
CAT
2
LMS
1
LMS
2
HOC
1
HOC
2
31st 0

American open–wheel racing results

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

Indy Lights results

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Rank Points
2009 Panther Racing STP
15
STP
16
LBH
15
KAN
5
INDY
22
MIL
15
IOW
8
WGL
10
TOR
12
EDM
13
KTY
9
MDO
5
SNM
10
CHI
8
HMS
7
11th 298
2010 AFS Racing
Andretti Autosport
STP
6
ALA
4
LBH
5
INDY
5
IOW
2
WGL
4
TOR
7
EDM
3
MDO
1
SNM
16
CHI
13
KTY
7
HMS
6
3rd 392

IndyCar Series

Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Rank Points
2011 Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara
IR-05
Honda STP ALA LBH SAO INDY TXS TXS MIL IOW TOR EDM MDO
18
NHM SNM
12
BAL
11
MOT KTY LVS1
C
33rd 49
2014 A. J. Foyt Enterprises Dallara DW12 Honda STP LBH ALA IMS
18
INDY
23
DET DET TXS HOU HOU POC IOW TOR TOR MDO MIL SNM FON 34th 18
1 The Las Vegas Indy 300 was abandoned after Dan Wheldon died from injuries sustained in a 15-car crash on lap 11.

Indianapolis 500

Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
2014 Dallara Honda 32 23 A. J. Foyt Enterprises

Complete American Le Mans Series results

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

Year Entrant Class Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rank Points
2012 Conquest Endurance P2 Morgan LMP2 Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 SEB
9
LBH
2
MON
2
LIM
2
MOS
1
MID
2
AME
1
BAL
Ret
VIR
2
PET
DSQ
2nd 156

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

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

Year Team Car Engine Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rank Points
2013 OAK Racing Morgan LMP2 Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 LMP2 SIL
4
SPA
3
LMS
1
SÃO
2
COA
7
FUJ
1
SHA
3
BHR
4
1st 141.5

24 Hours of Le Mans results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2013 OAK Racing Bertrand Baguette
Ricardo González
Morgan LMP2-Nissan LMP2 329 7th 1st

Complete British GT Championship results

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

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 DC Points
2015 UltraTek Racing Lotus Evora GT4 GT4 OUL
1

22
OUL
2

21
ROC
1
SIL
1
SPA
1
BRH
1
SNE
1
SNE
2
DON
1
28th 1
2016 Stratton Motorsport Lotus Evora GT4 GT4 BRH
1
ROC
1
OUL
1
OUL
2
SIL
1
SPA
1
SNE
1

Ret
SNE
2

Ret
DON
1
NC 0
2017 Team RJN Nissan with UltraTek Nissan 370Z GT4 GT4 OUL
1

24
OUL
2

16
ROC
1

20
SNE
1

21
SNE
2

20
SIL
1

Ret
SPA
1

18
SPA
2

20
BRH
1

25
DON
1

Ret
20th 17.5
2018 UltraTek Racing / Team RJN Nissan 370Z GT4 GT4 OUL
1

32
OUL
2

17
ROC
1

13
SNE
1

22
SNE
2

22
SIL
1

19
SPA
1

20
BRH
1

10
DON
1

Ret
9th 65.5
2019 Beechdean AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT4 GT4 OUL
1

18
OUL
2

17
SNE
1

21
SNE
2

19
SIL
1

14
DON
1

20
SPA
1

23
BRH
1

17
DON
1

15
5th 98.5

Complete Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup results

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pos. Points
2016 Garage 59 McLaren 650S GT3 Pro MIS
QR

Ret
MIS
CR

26
BRH
QR

32
BRH
CR

25
NÜR
QR

Ret
NÜR
CR

Ret
HUN
QR

23
HUN
CR

Ret
CAT
QR

19
CAT
CR

21
NC 0

References

  1. "Race – Final Classification" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  2. Autosport. 30 November 2013 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111672. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/44364-plowman-gets-rolling-with-snowball-express/#.Tjgi7T1YHWE.twitter Archived 16 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Weeks, James (27 February 2012). "Plowman makes sportscar switch with Conquest". motorstv.com. Motors TV. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  7. "2012 Sebring 12: ALMS / Le Mans Race Recap – Conquest Endurance". PaddockTalk.com. 18 March 2012. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012.
  8. "Conquest Endurance Racing". Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 August 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Statistiques 24ème Heure / 24th Hour Statistics" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 23 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  12. Autosport. 23 June 2013 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/108252. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. Watkins, Gary (20 October 2013). "Fuji WEC: Toyota gets victory as rain ends race". Autosport. Haymarket Press. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. Autosport. 20 October 2013 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110760. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. Autosport. 9 November 2013 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111211. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. http://sportscar365.com/wec/plowman-bahrain-debrief/
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Inaugural
FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Drivers
Champion

2013
With: Bertrand Baguette & Ricardo González
Succeeded by
Sergey Zlobin
Preceded by
Scott Malvern
Nick Jones
British GT Championship
GT4 Pro-Am Champion

2019
With: Kelvin Fletcher
Succeeded by
Jamie Caroline
Daniel Vaughan
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