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Morand Poised for FIA WEC Return With Ligier JS P2

Morand Racing planning return to WEC, likely switch to Ligier JS P2…

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Morand Racing is set for a return to the FIA World Endurance Championship, with the Swiss squad finalizing its 2016 program, which is likely to see an upgrade to new LMP2 machinery.

The Benoit Morand-led squad, which graduated to the globe-trotting series this year with its Judd-powered Morgan LMP2 Evo, is poised to switch to a Ligier JS P2 for next year.

While not yet fully confirmed, Morand admitted it would be the logical choice, given its close links with Onroak Automotive.

“We’ve been in the Onroak family for three years now,” Morand told Sportscar365. “Of course we have a very good link with Jacques Nicolet and we will try to put something together.”

Morand said its proposed Ligier WEC effort would be in addition to a Ligier JS P3 entered in next year’s European Le Mans Series, as part of a further alliance with the French automaker.

2015 has been a baptism by fire for the squad, which started the season at Spa with a reduced single-car effort after parting ways with Kairos Technologies and a month later, the Japan-based SARD outfit.

Having recorded a season-best finish of second in Belgium, Morand’s small, but hard working team has continued to deliver consistent results while overcoming the odds in the cost-capped prototype class, which has been dominated by new LMP2 coupes.

“We’ve done a good job on the track so far and the sponsors would like to capitalize more on the program than this year, which was difficult this year,” Morand said.

“We really want to have a good image and good infrastructure.”

While having been a front-running team in the ELMS, Morand is confident they can eventually deliver the same performance on the world’s stage, with a move to a LMP2 coupe being the first step in its long-term plan.

“WEC has lived up to our expectations this year,” he said. “It’s an excellent championship and very well organized and they support the teams very well.

“Of course it’s more expensive [than ELMS], but in the end it is a world championship, you have to accept that.”

Morand said they are already in discussions with drivers for next year, with the target of announcing its program at next month’s season finale in Bahrain.

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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