British racing driver Charlie Martin has announced that she will compete in the Michelin Le Mans Cup in 2019, making her prototype racing debut with the Racing Experience team. Charlie, who is sponsored by ignition specialist NGK, sees this as an important step on her mission to become the first transgender competitor in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

She will compete this season in a 5-litre 420bhp Norma M30 LMP3 car, partnering brothers Gary and David Hauser in the six-round championship on some of Europe’s most iconic circuits.

The flagship “Road to Le Mans” round of the championship will take place ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at La Sarthe. Charlie Martin said, “It feels very special to be announcing this next stage in my racing career. This move into the Le Mans Cup racing brings me one important step closer to my dream of racing in the24 Hours of Le Mans, making history as the first transgender competitor to do so.”

NGK Spark Plugs, the leading supplier of original equipment spark plugs, glow plugs and NTK Lambda and other engine management sensors, has been a long-time supporter of Charlie. Mark Hallam, NGK Marketing Manager said, “It is fantastic that Charlie is to compete in the Michelin Le Mans Cup in 2019. As a company we are delighted to help support her in her bid to fulfil her ambition of competing the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”