Dawson, Transformers Program Confirmed with Ligier LMP2

Photo: D3+Transformers

D3+Transformers Racing has confirmed that it will run a Ligier JS P217 Gibson in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year, with Robbie Kerr named as the first driver for the Prototype class effort.

The car’s livery was unveiled Friday at Road Atlanta, on a Ligier JS P3, following its initial program announcement last month.

“Today has been a long time coming,” said Ian Dawson, CEO of D3. “My son, Simon, and I have been covertly working on this race team and family values program for a long time so today is a very proud moment.

“Having Hasbro collaborate on this project with their exciting Transformers brand is exactly what we pursued to be able to produce a consistent and enduring platform on which we are adding other partnerships to this exciting team.”

The team is set to take to the track for the first time at the official IMSA test on Dec. 5-6 at Daytona ahead of its race debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. 

It marks the third LMP2 customer team for Onroak Automotive, joining PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports and Visit Florida Racing on the grid.

“We are pleased to have the exciting new team the Dawson family has brought to IMSA as a Ligier JS P217 customer,” said Jacques Nicolet, founder and CEO of Onroak Automotive.

“Ian and Max Crawford have worked together over the years so they already have a good working relationship. With testing commencing soon, it will be great to see this car on track.”

Kerr was also announced as the team’s first driver for the full-season entry.

The former British A1 GP driver and British Formula 3 champion makes his sports car return after competing in several FIA World Endurance Championship events in 2013.

“I’m very proud to be part of this fantastic D3+Transformers Racing team,” he said.

“I’ve been working with the Dawson family for the past few years helping develop the Radical car and working with their Radical Texas dealership.

“I’m honored to have been selected as one of their drivers for this amazing IMSA LMP2 program and I can’t wait to get testing this car.”

Dawson said they hope to finalize Kerr’s season-long co-driver, another professional driver, by the end of the month, with its third pilot for the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup races to come shortly after.

John Dagys contributed to this report

Jake Kilshaw

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