Four LMP2 Constructors Confirmed for 2017

Photo: John Dagys

The FIA, ACO and IMSA have formally announced the four chassis constructors eligible for new-for-2017 LMP2 regulations.

Onroak Automotive, Oreca, Dallara and Riley Tech/Multimatic have been confirmed as the selected constructors, the latter of which serves as the North American chassis constructor represented.

Onroak and Oreca have established their presence in the marketplace over several years, most recently with the Ligier JS P2 and Oreca 05 chassis that are widely utilized in the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series.

Dallara won out over several others for the third constructor, ahead of others such as BR Engineering and Ginetta, which had submitted bids.

Meanwhile, the joint Riley/Multimatic effort took the North American slot. HPD and Coyote Cars had considered bids but did not take them up.

In HPD’s case, as a manufacturer, it would not be allowed to enter as a manufacturer and could have needed to enter via design partner Wirth Research.

“Thanks to the decisions taken jointly by the ACO, IMSA and the FIA we have managed to bring together a high-quality pool of constructors which reinforces the interest in the series and its glowing future prospects,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.

“These new regulations and the provisions that result from them, the first of which is the selection of the four chassis constructors, will lead to more competitive cars, an efficient, cost-capped, viable economic model, a global market for cars that can race in North America, in Asia and in Europe allied to an excellent level of service for the entrants.”

In addition to Riley/Multimatic, both Dallara and Oreca also have U.S. bases and support channels, which was one of the criteria for selection by the three organizations.

An updated provision will see TUDOR United SportsCar Championship teams  be eligible to compete not only in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but also the ELMS with its U.S.-based engine package, provided they utilize the generic constructor-specific bodywork.

The target horsepower for cars in all series will be approximately 600 horsepower, with a Balance of Performance process to be used at Le Mans and in the ELMS.

“The process we followed with our partners at the ACO and the FIA to select these four chassis constructors was unprecedented in its level of professionalism and collaboration among three major governing bodies in international motorsport,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton.

“Arriving at this decision was not easy, as there were many qualified candidates, but it represents a key landmark as we chart the future of the sport in the United States and abroad. However, this is only the beginning.”

FIA Endurance Commission President Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones added: “It is also, perhaps, the first time that the global economy of the racing car market has been integrated into the regulations.

“This 2017 concept for LMP2 and the limitation to four chassis manufacturers will help establish greater return on investment by presenting more opportunities to race the same type of cars, and by avoiding excessive fragmentation of the market.”

Dallara, Onroak, Oreca and Riley Tech/Multimatic will now join the technical working group managed by the ACO, FIA and IMSA to define the final details of the regulations.

The FIA is expected approve the the draft set of regulations during tomorrow’s World Motor Sport Council meeting in Mexico City, with the final set to be adopted in December.

The next phase in the LMP2 timeline will be the selection of a single engine and electronics supplier in September.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John