Race Performance Eyeing Asian LMS, Return to Europe in 2016

Photo: Race Performance

While electing not to return to the European Le Mans Series this year, Race Performance may not be sitting completely idle, as the Swiss squad has revealed plans of competing in the new-look Asian Le Mans Series.

The Michel Frey-owned squad, which had initial hopes of expanding into a two-car LMP2 operation this year, has been forced to pull the plug on its planned ELMS and 24 Hours of Le Mans programs due to budget issues.

However, Frey admits there to be increased opportunity in Asia, with the revised three-round championship, now under full ACO control, that’s set to kick off in Shanghai in late October.

“Race Performance will ultimately not race on the European stage this year,” Frey told Endurance-Info. “On the other hand, we’re evaluating closely a program in the Asian Le Mans Series with the Oreca 03R. We also plan to provide support to drivers running in Formula 4.”

Should the Asian LMS program materialize, Frey hasn’t yet decided if he’ll return to the wheel. The accomplished gentleman driver and Franck Mailleux scored a runner-up finish in last year’s ELMS season-opening Four Hours of Silverstone.

Frey said he hopes for the team to return to European competition full-time in 2016, either in the ELMS or FIA World Endurance 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