Carlin Expands to Asia; Eurasia Confirms Second LMP2 Entry

Photo: MPS Agency

Carlin Racing will expand to the Asian Le Mans Series, having confirmed a Dallara P217 Gibson entry for the upcoming 2019-20 season.

The British squad will continue its maiden LMP2 campaign under with a Thunderhead-sponsored entry for Jack Manchester, who has been the primary driver behind the team’s European Le Mans Series effort. 

Manchester’s co-drivers have yet to be announced. 

“This is a fantastic step going forward for the team and entering a new and exciting championship in Asia,” said team principal Trevor Carlin.

“We have been competing in the European Le Mans Series and really enjoyed seeing Jack improve his race craft and deliver some great drives so I’m looking forward continuing that relationship in this championship.

“We have built a good team and I have no doubt that we can push for great results in this new challenge.”

Manchester, who had been ruled out of the recent two ELMS races due to a rib injury, will make his return to the wheel in this weekend’s season-ending 4 Hours of Portimao alongside Harry Tincknell and Ben Barnicoat.

“I’m thrilled that we get to continue the journey together and enter another brand-new series as Thunderhead Carlin Racing,” the 21-year-old said.

“We’ve made huge strides in the European Le Mans Series this past season and I think we can really hit the ground running for the first round in Shanghai,” he said.

Eurasia Expands to Second LMP2 Entry

Eurasia Motorsport will field a second Ligier JS P217 Gibson in the series, which kicks off on Nov. 24 in Shanghai.

The Philippines-based team has confirmed Aidan Read and Nick Foster for its second entry, along with a two-be-confirmed co-driver.

They join the team’s previously announced New Zealand-liveried entry for Nobu Yamanaka, Masataka Yanagida, Nick Cassidy and Daniel Gaunt. 

“Eurasia Motorsport is really happy to be back running a two-car team in the Asian Le Mans Series, particularly in the main LMP2 class,” said team principal Mark Goddard.

“We have some really strong drivers in our lineup with more to be announced soon.”

Open-wheel turned GT ace Foster got his first chance to sample the team’s LMP2 car during a test at Sepang in August.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in a car with that much grip since Formula 3 in 2008, so that was a great experience and I’m looking forward to getting back in the car,” he said.

“It will be a steep learning curve, but it’s a great challenge and I’m really looking forward to it!”

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