Carlin Joins ELMS, Confirms Manchester

Photo: Carlin

British single-seater stalwart Carlin will embark on an LMP2 program this season, running a Dallara P217 Gibson in the European Le Mans Series with Jack Manchester its first confirmed driver.

The team already has a long-term relationship with Dallara through its single-seater entries, and will enter the only P217 Gibson in the 18-car ELMS LMP2 field this season.

Its full lineup is yet to be confirmed but it will include Manchester, who broke out onto the sports car racing scene last year driving for AKKA ASP in the Blancpain GT Series.

Carlin is also evaluating adding Asian Le Mans Series outings to its program in addition to the six ELMS races.

“The whole team are very excited about our move into LMP2,” said team owner Trevor Carlin. “It’s an exciting category and a move that we’ve been assessing for a while.

“We see a lot of great drivers now move up the single-seater ranks and aim for professional drives in endurance racing rather than Formula 1, which shows the high respect this category of racing is held.

“For us, it’s another opportunity to hold onto and work with some great former Carlin drivers who are now at the professional level. In Jack, we have a very promising young British driver, right at the start of his career.

“We’re excited to work with him further and help him show his potential in LMP2.”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.