Patron ESM Completes Shakedown of Ligier JS P2 Hondas

Photo: Endurance-Info

Tequila Patron ESM has completed the shakedown of its two brand-new Ligier JS P2 Hondas ahead of this weekend’s FIA WEC Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

The two Onroak Automotive-built LMP2 cars, complete in full Patron liveries, took part in a successful rollout Monday at Magny-Cours, which saw the Florida-based squad’s regular drivers turn laps over the course of the wet and cold day in France.

G-Drive Racing driver Pipo Derani was also on hand, having completed the initial laps in both cars due to his experience with the Ligier.

“It was cold and rainy in Magny-Cours today but that didn’t dampen Tequila Patrón ESM’s shakedown of our new Ligiers one bit!” said team owner/driver Scott Sharp.

“The entire team is impressed with the build and finish on the Ligier. All of the drivers remarked how confidence-building, even in the wet, the car was! It’s a very refined and balanced piece. We can’t wait to take it to Spa his weekend.”

Sharp and Ed Brown turned laps in a Nissan-powered Ligier for the first time at the FIA WEC Prologue at Paul Ricard last month, but Monday served as the first opportunity for co-drivers Johannes van Overbeek, Jon Fogarty, Ryan Dalziel and David Heinemeier Hansson to get seat time in the car.

The Ligiers replace the team’s outgoing HPD ARX-03b cars, although the same engines have been carried over into the new closed-top prototypes.

“The car was really good. All drivers had positive things to say today at Magny-Cours,” Brown said. “We drove in the rain all day so we really couldn’t do a whole lot with speed, but if a car is that good in the wet it will be good in dry conditions.

“We ended early so the guys can head to Belgium. We’re excited to see what the future holds with the Ligier, Honda and Tequila Patrón ESM.”

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