The Onroak Automotive design department continues working on the design of the new LM P2 sports prototype.
In parallel to the wind tunnel tests the engineers are pursuing in-depth studies with matching CFD calculations carried out as usual with EXA. Nicolas Clemençon’s team has just under a month to finalise all the 3D files – mechanical components and bodywork – of the Ligier JS P217, which have to be sent to the governing bodies before the end of March. The four constructors have to comply with a schedule drawn up by the ACO, FIA and IMSA. The next step will be the homologation of the monocoque before 1st June 2016.
The Ligier JS P2 still eligible in 2017
The Ligier JS P2 will still be eligible to race next year. While only the new models complying with the 2017 LM P2 regulations will be allowed in the FIA WEC, the current LM P2s can still compete in different ACO and IMSA Series, in particular in the European and Asian Le Mans Series and in the WeatherTech Championship in North America.
Onroak Automotive North America and the DPis
The Onroak Automotive North America branch was set up in 2015 and its evolution should lead to the installation of a base on American soil. Onroak Automotive North America’s aim is to develop the activity and the backup provided for teams in the USA. The local branch will enable Onroak Automotive to become fully involved in the new DPi category, derived from the future 2017 LM P2s, in partnership with a manufacturer.
Onroak Automotive in Asia
In parallel to the development of its activity in the United States, Onroak Automotive is working on deploying the necessary resources to meet new needs. In 2016, Onroak Automotive will open a workshop in Asia for the races in the Asian Le Mans Series and the new Asian Le Mans Sprint Cup. A stock of spare parts for the different CN, LM P3 and LM P2 models present on the Asian continent will be available to quickly fulfil the requirements of the teams while optimising the transport costs. At the request of clients a backup service could also be set up in keeping with the calendar.
The SRT 41 by OAK Racing Morgan LM P2
Frédéric Sausset continues to get to grips with his new car, the Morgan LM P2, in view of his participation in the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours. As was the case for the Ligier JS 53 EVO 2 in 2015, Onroak Automotive has adapted the Morgan LM P2 to cope with his handicap by integrating in particular, a clutch with automatic gear changes, an ABS assisted braking system, an specific electric functiuns console, a pneumatic extrication system as well as a specially modified pedal box.
Tests took place at Le Mans in February on the Maison Blanche and Bugatti circuits as well as Magny-Cours and Barcelona. Christophe Tinseau, Frédéric’s team-mate and coach, was the first to drive the car to fine-tune the setups after which Sausset got behind the wheel. The quadri-amputee has to play himself in and learn how to drive an LM P2.
Today, the team is working on optimising the ergonomics of the cockpit. The SRT 41 by OAK Racing Morgan LM P2 will take part in the official test session for the ELMS on 22-23 March in the Paul Ricard circuit.
Winter testing for the Ligier JS P3s
During the winter Onroak Automotive took part in several practice sessions in Barcelona and at Magny-Cours. These tests helped Onroak Automotive to continue data gathering and do more running, and also to give new prospects the opportunity to try out the Ligier JS P3, and above all to provide backup for clients who had already taken possession of their cars.
The Magny-Cours workshops are running flat out to deliver cars to the teams in time for the start of the season: no fewer than 19 Ligier JS P3s are announced on the 2016 ELMS grid.
The Michael Shank Racing Ligier JS P2 sets the fastest lap in the Sebring test
Less than four weeks after the Daytona 24 Hours marked by the magnificent victory of the Extreme Speed Motorsports Ligier JS P2-Honda, the entrants for the 2016 WeatherTech Championship were at Sebring to prepare for the second round of the championship on 19th March. The Sebring 12 Hours is doubly important as it also counts towards the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup.
Extreme Speed Motorsports and Michael Shank Racing used the two-day test, held in cool but sunny weather, to fine tune the setups on their Ligier JS P2-Hondas to cope with the demands of the very specific Sebring layout and help the drivers prepare for the race.
While out-and-out performance wasn’t a priority, Olivier Pla in the no. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ligier JS P2-Honda set the fastest lap of the four sessions in a time of 1m51.546sec.
Road to Le Mans
The support race for LM P3s in the ACO Series and GT3s in the Michelin GT3 Le Mans Cup is called « Road to Le Mans » and will take place as a curtain-raiser to the 84th Le Mans 24 Hours on 18-19 June 2016 on the 13,629-km circuit.
The start of this race (50 to 60 minutes maximum) will be given on Saturday 18th June at 11h10. Teams in the Michelin GT3 Le Mans Cup have an automatic entry as the race counts for the new series, and entries for other cars will open on Monday 18th March and close on Friday 15th April. A selection committee will meet after entries have closed to draw up the list of cars allowed to start « Road to Le Mans ».