The new german team BA Equipe (Baleares Automotive) is on the heels for organising a LMP3-programme for 2016. Teamowner Artur Deutgen, a long-term stalwart of the VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft on the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, plans to field a Ligier JS P3 in the European Le Mans Series, but also in further endurance events. Deutgens squad is the first german outfit to have chosen one of Ligiers new LMP3-prototypes.
“After all the successful years in the VLN it was time for me to initiate the next step up into international endurance racing. ACO´s new LMP3-category turned out to offer the best opportunity to provide a cost-efficient, but high class approach for international endurance motorsport. The format of the 4h races is very similar to the VLN. I see a big potential for being one of the the german pioneers in this new category”.
Deutgens weapon of choice will be the new Ligier JS P3: “During a test at Magny Cours the design and performance of the Ligier convinced me, that this would be the car to have for 2016. We have ordered one of Onroaks 2016 batch of chassis. We will take delivery of our car in February while still leaving the chassis at Magny Cours for the initial shakedowns and tests by our pilots and mechanics. Just before the start of the season we will take the car home to our german workshop.”
The focus of BA Equipe´s programme will be the 6 heats of the recently extended European Le Mans Series 2016. ACO´s european sportscar series features 4h races at prestigeous venues like Silverstone, Imola, Spa-Francorchamps and Estoril. For the winner of LMP3-class a wildcard for the Le Mans 24hours 2017 in the LMP2 is likely. Depending on budget and customer-demands, additional races in the french VdeV Endurance GT are an option to complete the programme. The french organised series consists of races at some tracks that are also on the ELMS-calender, which would be a perfect fit for the preperation of the LMS-4h-heats.
Currently Deutgen is in the phase of aquisition and contracting of interested pilots and sponsors: “The ELMS allows crews of 2-3 pilots during the races, while providing a performance equal or better to a GT3. The costs for the season are capped to 450.000€ per season by the organisator. For the provided performance and driving-time during the season this is a very attractive opportunity for pilots who want to step up into international prototype racing. We also offer the possibility of testraces during the VdeV rounds that have similar lenghts of about 3-4 hours and would be a perfect training ground for the intended endurance programme.”
Deutgen plans to present the car at the next Essen Motorshow in the end of November. “There we want to show the german fans what kind of aesthetic and high quality racecars these LMP3´s are.”