With its European Le Mans Series program not kicking off until late March, the DragonSpeed LMP2 team has decided to launch its 2017 campaign with a challenge for outright victory in the IMSA Rolex 24 endurance classic at Daytona International Speedway on 28-29 January.
DragonSpeed – which added premises in France to its Florida base last season – continues with its 2016 driver line-up of Platinum pilot Nicolas Lapierre, Gold driver Ben Hanley, and Bronze-status Henrik Hedman, adding 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours winner, Audi Sport LMP1 alumnus, and current Formula E racer Loïc Duval to the strength for Daytona. They will steer DragonSpeed’s all-new ORECA O7-Gibson, with the team’s 2016 chassis updated to O7 specification on hand as back-up.
2016 saw DragonSpeed enjoy an impressive debut in the LMP2 category. After fighting for victory in the dying minutes of the IMSA Sebring 12 Hours in March, the squad turned its attention to the ELMS. The Elton Julian-helmed crew’s star-spangled ORECA O5-Nissan scored 4 podium finishes from 6 races, 3 pole positions, the most points in the second half of the season, and its first international win at Spa.
“Daytona is the start of an exciting new direction in sportscar racing, thanks to IMSA’s introduction of the DPi class alongside the LMP2 cars we run in the ELMS and WEC,” said DragonSpeed team principal Elton Julian. “With new cars for everybody, the race will be wide open. We’re targeting the win, not just for the prestige IMSA’s flagship event carries, but also with an eye on our goal of racing at Le Mans in 2017.”
“Our team is ending 2016 on a high,” Julian said. “The crew has shown they’re second to none when it comes to fielding a fast and reliable car. Nico is awesome every time out, Ben has more than justified our confidence in him, and Henrik has made incredible progress since his first laps in a P2 car just a year ago. As ORECA’s neighbors at Circuit Paul Ricard, we know how much effort they’ve put into their new package. It’s been stunning in testing and we can’t wait to get our hands on the car.”
Henrik Hedman, entering his fourth season with DragonSpeed, said “Daytona is a great opportunity for us drivers and the crew to prepare for 2017. Elton and I sat down and concluded that Daytona would be the best way to prepare for my increased drive time in the ELMS next year. But our ambitions are higher than that: we are also going to Daytona to fight for the win. With that in mind, I’m delighted to welcome Loïc to the team to make it three super-quick guys in the car with me.”
Nicolas Lapierre – this year’s WEC LMP2 champion and 2015-16 Le Mans LMP2 class winner – said, “I’m so excited for my first Rolex 24. I’ve loved racing in the US ever since I won at Sebring in 2011. After such a successful season with DragonSpeed, we are coming to Daytona with great expectations. We already have a great driver combination, and with the addition of Loïc for Daytona, we have a very strong extra card to play.”
Ben Hanley, newly elevated to Gold status on the strength of his 2016 performances with DragonSpeed, said, “I’m greatly looking forward to Daytona and continuing with the team in 2017. The prospect of the race is exciting enough, but with the new ORECA and Loïc joining the fold, it’s going to be unbelievable. We have a real shot at the podium and starting 2017 in the same style we finished 2016.”
Loïc Duval said, “Like Nico, I can’t wait for my first Rolex 24! It will be great to team up with him for the first time since we won Sebring together and to renew my long relationship with ORECA as well. I raced against Ben back in my karting days and know how competitive he is, so I’m very happy to have him on our side for Daytona. And I am really looking forward to working with Henrik, with his fantastic commitment and passion for winning. My thanks to DragonSpeed for this terrific opportunity.”
ORECA Group President Hugues de Chaunac said, “We are pleased to see DragonSpeed enter the Rolex 24. It’s a huge event and the beginning of a new era with LMP2 and DPi. For sure, it will be special for us as the debut of our ORECA 07. DragonSpeed achieved a lot in its first season in LMP2 to become one of the leading players in the ELMS. The driver lineup is impressive with two established stars and a rising talent supporting a strong gentlemen driver who is gaining pace. 2017 should bring them more ELMS success and we hope a first entry at Le Mans. Daytona is the perfect way to prepare for this, and we would like to congratulate DragonSpeed for their hard work over the past few weeks to make it happen.”