SMP Racing BR01 Completes 24-Hour Endurance Test

Photo: SMP Racing

SMP Racing has completed a successful 24-hour endurance test with its new BR Engineering BR01 LMP2 coupe, as preparations continue for the car’s race debut next month.

The Russian squad logged more than 3,500 miles with the Nissan-powered prototype at Paul Ricard this week, with drivers Sergey Zlobin, Mikhail Aleshin, Kirill Ladygin, Anton Ladygin Maurizio Mediani and Nicolas Minassian at the wheel.

No major problems were reported over the endurance test, according to the team, as it prepares for its first outing at the Imola European Le Mans Series round on May 17.

“We tested the car in different conditions,” said sporting director Zlobin. “Our drivers had fun in the car, which is a positive.

“LMP2 has a great future and we will fight for the top step of the podium.”

Minasian and Mediani will be joined by David Markosov in the No. 27 car for the remainder of the ELMS season, with the Aleshin and the Ladygin brothers set to pilot the No. 37 entry.

Both cars will also take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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