DragonSpeed Planning Second LMP2 Car for 2017; Eyeing Asian LMS

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

DragonSpeed could expand into a two-car operation in next year’s European Le Mans Series championship, while also eying an effort for the upcoming Asian Le Mans Series season with its existing Oreca 05 Nissan.

The Florida-based team made its ELMS debut in last weekend’s season-opener in Silverstone, just three weeks after recording a fourth place overall finish in last month’s Twelve Hours of Sebring.

“As a team, I always think it’s stronger with two cars,” Julian told Sportscar365. “We’ve had a lot of interest in the team to do a second car.

“Obviously the goal is to eventually run a second car. We had potential [drivers] that came to us that politely said, ‘No we have a different plan with the customer we have.’

“But there’s interest. There’s a want and an amazing field of talented teams and drivers that are looking for seats.”

Julian said Henrik Hedman, who owns the team’s current Oreca 05 Nissan, has already placed an order for a new Oreca 07, which per 2017 LMP2 regulations, will run with the spec Gibson engine.

The team could upgrade its 2016-spec Oreca or keep it in its current specification for a possible program in the Asian Le Mans Series this winter.

“Ultimately it always comes down to a customer but as a team, absolutely,” Julian said in reference to an Asian LMS effort.”

Julian, however, admitted it would be a logistical challenge to start the four-round Asian LMS season with the same car, due to the opening round in Zhuhai, China taking place just one week after the ELMS season finale in Estoril.

“The biggest mistake these guys have made is that the Asian championship starts one week after [the ELMS finale]. That I don’t understand how that happened,” he said.

The team has no current plans to return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

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