With only one retirement, after 22h30 of racing, out of the eleven Onroak Automotive chassis entered, this 84th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans confirmed the reliability of the LM P2 sport-prototypes that have come from the manufacturer’s Le Mans workshops.

The start of the season was marked by the victories of the Ligier JS P2 in the USA, at the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and at Laguna Seca, as well as a 1-2 at the 6 Hours of Silverstone and the 2nd place at Spa. Onroak Automotive’s ambitions at the classic Le Mans race were then naturally aimed at the podium. Unfortunately, the race decided otherwise.
Among the ten teams entering Onroak Automotive’s LM P2 chassis, nine Ligier JS P2 and two Morgan LM P2, six of them had their name on the invitation list of the first time. One of them occupied box #56, which is each year reserved for a technological innovation. What’s more, many teams gave young drivers their chance to take part in this legendary but difficult race.

Greaves Motorsport, who set the 19th best time in LM P2 following difficult qualifying sessions, managed to bring their #41 Ligier JS P2-Nissan-Dunlop into the top 10, and to award themselves a very honourable 6th place.

Panis Barthez Compétition, created last winter with the aim to promote young drivers into endurance, fully completed their objectives. The team took 8th place in LM P2 with their #23 Ligier JS P2-Nissan-Michelin for their first participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Americans from Michael Shank Racing were also novices to the Le Mans race. Their very good performance on track could have given them a better result without a few setbacks, namely a 5-minute penalty for changing the engine before the race. Their #49 Ligier JS P2-Honda-Dunlop ended in ninth in LM P2.

Arriving at Le Mans at the head of the WEC LM P2 classification, the new team RGR Sport by Morand crossed the line with their #43 Ligier JS P2-Nissan-Dunlop in 10th place in LM P2, but claiming the precious points for 6th place in the WEC.

For Extreme Speed Motorsports, their #30 and #31 Ligier JS P2-Nissan-Dunlop scored points for 7th and 8th place in the WEC LM P2 class; the team who are regulars on the podium had mechanical troubles which forced them to spend a lot of time in the pits.

Algarve Pro Racing and SO24 ! by Lombard Racing were competing in their first 24 Hours of Le Mans, respectively with the #25 Ligier JS P2-Nissan-Dunlop and the #22 Ligier JS P2-Judd-Dunlop. Despite a few racing incidents and minor technical problems, the two teams crossed the finish line in 12th and 14th place with great satisfaction, surrounding the #40 Krohn Racing Ligier JS P2-Nissan-Michelin. Tracy Krohn and Niclas Jönsson were sharing their 12th 24 Hours of Le Mans as team mates this weekend, and their second consecutive finish with the Ligier JS P2.

As well as the nine Ligier JS P2 that crossed the finish line, two Morgan LM P2 were also entered.

The #28 Pegasus Morgan LM P2-Nissan-Michelin unfortunately had to retire after going off track and catching fire less than 1h30 from the end.

By taking the chequered flag, SRT 41 by OAK Racing managed an extraordinary human exploit. Frédéric Sausset, at the wheel of the second Morgan LM P2-Nissan-Michelin, entered into the Le Mans history books as being the first quadruple amputee racing driver, not only by taking the start, but, even more exceptional, making it to the end of the 24 Hours.

Jacques Nicolet, President of Onroak Automotive: “We have had better days…and we are obviously disappointed not to have been able to get a better result. We must realise that the Ligier JS P2, despite its evident reliability, was up against tough competition. On this very specific Le Mans layout, it suffered from a generational gap, namely concerning its dimensions. But we will return to Le Mans with the Ligier JS P217 to fight for victory once more. I want to thank all our teams, some of whom were discovering the 24 hours for the first time, for their pugnacity and their determination. I also want to congratulate Frédéric Sausset, as well as all those around him, especially his wife, for this exploit which is a magnificent lesson in living.”