Spirit of Race Joins LMP2 Grid; Driver Lineup Confirmed

Photo: Olivier Beroud Images

Spirit of Race will join the 2018-19 Asian Le Mans Series grid with a single-car LMP2 entry (en Français).

The Amato Ferrari-run outfit is set to run a Ligier JS P2 in the four-round winter championship, which begins at Shanghai International Circuit in November.

Two-time Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring winner Pipo Derani, McLaren GT factory driver Come Ledogar and Blancpain GT Series Endurance Am Cup race winner Alexander West have been signed up for the program.

Spirit of Race becomes the seventh LMP2 team to commit to the 2017-18 season, joining previously announced efforts from United Autosports, Algarve Pro Racing, ARC Bratislava, Panis-Barthez Competition, Jackie Chan DC Racing and Eurasia Motorsport.

Both United Autosports and Algarve Pro Racing have pledged two-car lineups, bringing the car count in the top prototype category up to nine.

Derani, who recently signed for Action Express Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, will return for his second full-time Asian LMP2 program.

Last season the 24-year-0ld Brazilian raced with Team BBT, which received technical support from Spirit of Race.

Ledogar, meanwhile, is set for his Asian Le Mans Series debut after making his first appearance in the class at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans with Jackie Chan DC Racing.

The Frenchman acts as a driver coach to bronze-rated West, who will appear in a  prototype for the first time having spent recent years competing in McLaren GT3 machinery.

Spirit of Race conducted initial testing of the Ligier package, which will run alongside its existing FIA World Endurance Championship GTE-Am program, at Vallelunga earlier this week.