Greaves Motorsport could soon expand its prototype effort to North America, with the defending European Le Mans Series championship-winning team evaluating a DPi program for next year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The British LMP2 squad is targeting a link-up with a manufacturer, according to team principal Tim Greaves, who is on-site at Sebring this weekend to scope out potential opportunities.
“We have been [affiliated] with Nissan,” Greaves told Sportscar365. “The story started in 2010 and now it has sort of ended for prototypes… So it’s time to look around.
“I think everything is lining up for the right move now, with all of the new regulations.”
Greaves said he’s met with multiple manufacturers and senses optimism within the IMSA paddock, heading into the launch of the new-look Prototype class next year.
The DPi formula will see manufacturer-specific bodywork and engines outfitted into the ACO’s new LMP2 formula, which will be largely spec in Europe and in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
“I’m quite excited about the American racing and the way it will go,” Greaves said. “It seems like it will be more affordable racing than P1.
“There’s a willingness to do things. And trying to do something for $10 million is sort of doable. To do it for $150 million, you’ve got to have something special.
“I think manufacturers want to have a platform to be able to compete and get their brand out there. DPi makes good sense.”
Greaves said any potential IMSA program in 2017 would be in addition to its European plans, which are already in the works.
The team recently took delivery of a Ligier JS P2 Nissan, which it will enter in the ELMS this year with Memo Rojas, Julien Canal and a third, to-be-announced driver.
They will also operate Krohn Racing’s Ligier-Nissan in the six-round European championship.
Greaves isn’t the only European team that’s been keeping an eye on IMSA’s DPi developments.
Rebellion Racing’s Bart Hayden attended the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January and told Sportscar365 that a partial-season program for 2017 is being considered in addition to its Rebellion R-One LMP1 effort in the WEC.