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Ligier JS P2 Breaks Cover

Onroak Automotive’s new LMP2 coupe breaks cover…

ligier2

Onroak Automotive has taken the wraps off its all-new prototype contender, the Ligier JS P2, which will make its debut in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The LMP2 coupe is the first car to be entirely designed and built by Onroak, the manufacturing arm of OAK Racing, which won last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans and FIA World Endurance Championship.

Design of the prototype, which is based off its stillborn LMP1 project, began in earnest last year at its workshop in Le Mans, with the first car having recently been completed.

It will accommodate powerplants from HPD/Honda, Nissan and the BMW-based Judd, with at least two of the three set to be used in the car this year.

“This project is the result of a lot of reflection,” said Nicolas Clemencon, Head of Research for Onroak Automotive.

“We put a number of ingredients into this car, concentrating on the strengths of the Morgan LMP2, important aerodynamic validation work and a latest-generation monocoque that has its own identity and character.”

The JS P2 will turn its first laps later this week on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit with Alex Brundle, who has been named as one of two development drivers for the new LMP2 project.

However, the car is not expected to make its race debut until Le Mans, where up to three Ligiers could compete.

European Le Mans Series competitors Thiriet by TDS Racing will campaign a Nissan-powered model while a 2.8-liter Honda V6 turbo will be installed in a JS P2 for OAK Racing Team TOTAL, which is set for a full-season campaign in the Asian Le Mans Series.

A third Ligier could be run at Le Mans by OAK, either for its No. 35 entry or the FIA WEC season-long effort, which run under the G-Drive Racing banner.

OAK’s Morgan-Nissan currently running in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, meanwhile, is expected to be replaced by a Ligier post-Le Mans.

“With its closed cockpit, the Ligier JS P2 will represent a more attractive product, especially for teams interested in competing in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the new U.S. championship that predominantly has closed-top cars,” said Onroak Automotive President Jacques Nicolet.

“Also, being able to design closed-top cars is an essential element in developing the company for the future. I am very proud of the work done by the whole Onroak Automotive team and am excited to see the Ligier JS P2 on the track.”

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

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