Sean Creech Commits to Full-Season LMP3 Entry

Sean Creech Motorsport has announced plans for a full-season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP3 program this year with a Ligier JS P320 Nissan.

Joao Barbosa and Lance Willsey are set to contest all seven rounds that make up the LMP3 schedule after entering the first three points-paying races of the 2021 campaign.

Porsche Carrera Cup presented by The Cayman Islands champion Sebastian Priaulx and European LMP3 ace Malthe Jakobsen complete the crew for the Rolex 24 at Daytona season-opener later this month.

Sean Creech Motorsport was due to run the full 2021 season but its campaign was cut short after Bronze-rated driver Willsey parted ways with the team with four races to go.

However, the two parties have restored their partnership to put together a program for the second year of LMP3 competition in the WeatherTech Championship.

Willsey and Barbosa had a strong start to the previous season by achieving a second-place finish at the Rolex 24 alongside Wayne Boyd and Yann Clairay.

“I’m glad we could put this effort together for 2022, especially with this outstanding driver lineup,” said team owner Sean Creech.

“It’s a great combination – two veterans, including a four-time winner, and two young drivers who are already proven winners.

“Between myself, the crew, Lance and Joao, we have literally thousands of miles at Daytona under our belts – we’ll get Sebastian and Malthe up to speed quickly at the Roar and be ready to take on the 24. We’d like to return to the podium but obviously, one step higher.”

Willsey added: “I am very pleased to be back with the team and ready to take on the Rolex 24.

“This is such a special race and requires the highest level of commitment from team and drivers.

“We have a great driver lineup this year, with Joao, who of course has won this race four times, and Malthe and Sebastian, who are fast and eager for the challenge.”

Priaulx is set for his WeatherTech Championship debut off the back of race-winning spells in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup North America.

“It’s a dream, to do this race,” said the 21-year-old. “I’m very excited. It’s my first 24-hour race, and I’m over the moon to be working with these guys.

“Joao was my driver coach last year so it will be great working with him at Daytona. Sean has such a great history and it’s a good group of guys, so I’m ready to get going.”

Jakobsen, meanwhile, tested the Sean Creech Ligier at Daytona last month.

The 18-year-old Dane drove the same type of car in the European Le Mans Series last year and formed part of the RLR MSport crew that finished second at the Barcelona season-opener.

“We’d been talking to Sean for some time, and I tested with the team last month at Daytona,” said Jakobsen.

“It’s a really great team and I’m glad we were able to put something together. I’m looking forward to working with the engineers and mechanics, and with Joao, Lance and Sebastian.

“They know the car and the setup so well. It helps that I’ve raced the Ligier in ELMS, but racing with the speed of the DPi cars, and all the traffic, will be different. This is a real endurance race, so I am doing sim work and physical training, so I’ll be ready for it.”