RLR Msport Confirms Farano, Kapadia, Dons in 2017 LMP3 Lineup

Photo: RLR Msport

RLR Msport has revealed a new lineup for its Ligier JS P3 Nissan racing in the 2017 European Le Mans Series, with John Farano and Alex Kapadia set to join the returning Morten Dons.

The UK-based team competed in the series in 2016 with a lineup that changed several times throughout the season. Dons was the only driver to complete the season for RLR Msport, and will continue with the team into 2017.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision, really,” he said. “Racing and working with the guys at RLR has been a pleasure, so it made perfectly good sense to just continue the good work and aim high.

“With this team and driver lineup, I think we will be fighting for the championship.”

Farano joins the team with previous experience in the U.S. and his native Canada, which includes winning the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge championship in 2012.

Since then, he has focused on the Ferrari Challenge series, finishing well in both the North American and European championships in recent years.

Meanwhile, 2010 24H Dubai class winner Kapadia completes the team’s lineup. Recently, the Brit has ELMS LMP2 and LMP3 experience with Murphy Prototypes as well as racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015.

“Last year our driver lineup was compromised by ‘off’ and ‘on’ track injuries, which were outside our control,” explained team partner Mike Smith. “This led to several short term changes which affected our overall results”

“This is the strongest most balanced driver line up we have been able to bring to the ELMS and we look forward with quiet expectation to the 2017 season,” added team principal Nick Reynolds.

The team will announce its lineups for the Michelin Le Mans Cup and its ELMS LMP2 entry in due course.

October’s announcement also suggested a second LMP3 entry was planned, but no further word has come from the team on this.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.