Era Commits to Asian Program with JOTA

IMSA team Era Motorsport has committed to the 2021 Asian Le Mans Series with an LMP2 entry supported by the JOTA FIA World Endurance Championship squad.

Era team principal Kyle Tilley and his regular co-driver Dwight Merriman are set to contest the four-round campaign in February with an Oreca 07 Gibson, which is the car they drove in a handful of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events this year.

The Asian Le Mans Series is taking place entirely at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

The first four-hour race on Feb. 4 takes place less than a week after the Indianapolis-based team’s involvement in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“I’m super excited to be competing in the Asian Le Mans Series with Dwight,” said Tilley.

“More seat time is always a good thing! Working alongside JOTA will be new to us, however their record speaks for itself.

“[JOTA Sport team principal] Sam Hignett runs a world-class operation, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

While Era is new to the Asian LMS circuit, Jota is set for a return to the series after it ran Jackie Chan DC Racing LMP2 and LMP3 cars for part of the 2018-19 season.

The British team ran the JOTA and Jackie Chan DCR LMP2 entries during the most recent season, achieving class wins in the 4 Hours of Shanghai and the 8 Hours of Bahrain.

The Asian LMS program with Era is the first confirmed program for Jota Sport in 2021. The organization is also known to be evaluating an ELMS campaign in addition to its expected WEC return.

“We are looking forward to partnering with Era for the upcoming 2021 Asian Le Mans season,” said Hignett.

“Abu Dhabi is a new circuit for us in LMP but preparation is in full swing so we are excited to see what we can do together.”

Asian LMS managing director Cyrille Taesch Wahlen added: “I am very pleased to welcome Era Motorsport to the Asian Le Mans Series for the first time.

“It is also positive to be able to welcome another American team to the paddock, further adding to the diversity that last year saw teams from 14 different nationalities race with the series.

“For Era, joining forces with a championship-winning team like Jota will strengthen their efforts. We wish them well and look forward to seeing them in February!”