Negri Completes Krohn Racing Lineup in ELMS

Photo: IMSA

Ozz Negri will be racing a Ligier JS P2s on two continents this year, as the Brazilian has finalized a deal to be the third driver in Krohn Racing’s LMP2 entry in the European Le Mans Series.

The Houston-based squad confirmed Thursday that the Rolex 24 at Daytona pole-sitter will join Tracy Krohn and Nic Jonsson behind the wheel of the team’s Judd-powered Ligier for four of the five ELMS races.

Negri will miss the Red Bull Ring round in July as it clashes with his full-season commitments in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with Michael Shank Racing, which debuted its Honda-powered Ligier at Daytona.

“I’ve had the opportunity to test and race the Ligier JS P2 and know what a good car it is,” Negri said. “To compete in North America in IMSA with Michael Shank Racing and in Europe in the ELMS with Krohn Racing in the same chassis is a dream for a driver.

“We always want more seat time and more race time. This is the best of both worlds for me as a driver.”

It’s unclear if Negri will be part of Krohn’s lineup for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, entry pending. Only Krohn and Jonsson are confirmed thus far for the French endurance classic as well as the Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.

The addition of Negri, a Silver-rated driver, will add more flexibility to the team’s drive time requirements in the ELMS, which requires at least Bronze or Silver-rated driver per lineup in LMP2.

Team owner Krohn is Bronze-rated while Jonsson is a Gold.

“I believe this is just is another step toward Krohn Racing securing the success the team deserves,” said team manager Gary Holland.

“Entering the ELMS is a different avenue for the team, but we believe the growth of the ELMS year-on-year, and the strength in depth on the grid will ensure we can fully test ourselves against the best.

“We are very much looking forward to 2015 with our driver line up of Tracy Krohn, Nic Jonsson and Oswaldo Negri Jr. We hope to really make an impact in the series.”

The ELMS season kicks off with the Four Hours of Silverstone on April 11.

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