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Jakes Joins Manor LMP2 Effort

Ex-IndyCar ace joins Manor WEC LMP2 program…

Photo: Manor WEC

Photo: Manor WEC

James Jakes is the latest addition to the new Manor LMP2 program, with the Englishman having been confirmed as one of the team’s drivers for its newly expanded two-car program in this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship.

The 28-year-old, who has spent the last four seasons in the Verizon IndyCar Series, will make his sports car racing debut in one of Manor’s new Oreca 05 Nissans.

It will mark a return to the John Booth and Graeme Lowdon-led operation after Jakes drove for the team in 2007 in Formula 3 and in 2010 in the GP3 Seres.

“I’ve known John for many years and when the opportunity came up to work together again I couldn’t have been happier,” Jakes said. “To have the chance to go endurance racing competitively on some of the greatest tracks in the world, I’m very excited. \

“I have been racing in the USA for the past 4 seasons and to start back up again at Silverstone where it all began for me is just icing on the cake.

“It’s going to be a very busy few weeks leading up The Prologue and the first race, but I have every faith that we will be fighting for some good finishes this season.”

Jakes joins Tor Graves and Will Stevens as confirmed drivers for the team, with driver pairings still yet to be announced.

“It is great to welcome James back to Manor, another talent to our growing driver line up,” Booth added. “It will be good to pick up where we left off following successful seasons with James in both Formula 3 and GP3 series.

“I have had some good results with James in the past and hope to carry this onto WEC.”

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

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