Soheil Ayari
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French
FIA Platinum (until 2012)
FIA Gold (2013–2020)[1]
FIA Silver (2021–)[2]| Soheil Ayari | |
|---|---|
 Ayari in 2009 | |
| Nationality | French |
| Born | 5 April 1970 |
| Racing licence | FIA Platinum (until 2012) FIA Gold (2013–2020)[1] FIA Silver (2021–)[2] |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Years | 1997, 1999, 2003–2005, 2007–2012, 2014 |
| Teams | Viper Team Oreca, Pescarolo Sport, Pecom Racing |
| Best finish | 4th (2004, 2010) |
| Class wins | 0 |
Soheil Ayari (born 5 April 1970) is a French-Iranian race car driver born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, from an Iranian father and a French mother. He won the French Formula Ford championship of 1994, Formula Three championship of 1996 and the Macau Grand Prix of 1997. From 1997 until 2000, he competed in Formula 3000 where he won two races before moving on to the French Supertouring Championship in 2001 where he became champion in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
In 2006 and 2007, Ayari drove in GT Championship, in GT1 for Team Oreca (on a Saleen S7-R). He became French champion in 2006 & 2007 and won the European Le Mans séries championship in 2007 with Stephane Ortelli.[citation needed] In 2008 & 2009, he drove a Corvette GT 1 in French GT 3 championship before joining the Audi ORECA Team in 2010.[citation needed] In 2011, he raced and won two championships : ILMC LMP2 (Signatech Nissan) and International Open GT with JMB Ferrari F458 GT2.[citation needed]
Ayari is also a famous 24 Hours of Le Mans driver with eleven starts in GT 1, LMP1 & LMP2. Best results over all were fourth in 2004 ((Pescarolo)) & 2010 (ORECA 01)), fifth in 2009 ((ORECA)) and second LMP2 (Signatech Nissan) in 2011.[citation needed]
In 2014, Ayari was in the European Le Mans Series, and in 2015, was in the French GT Championship in which he remained in 2016.[citation needed] In 2017, he switched to the GT4 European Southern Cup and in 2018, moved into French GT's again.[citation needed] Ayari also works as a journalist specialising in track tests and races in historic events.[3]
