MSR Pursuing All-Female LMP2 Effort

Photo: Michelin

Meyer Shank Racing could make its return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year with an all-female driver lineup in the works for LMP2.

Multiple sources have indicated to Sportscar365 that the Ohio-based team has submitted an entry request for the French endurance classic with an Oreca 07 Gibson in partnership with an undisclosed European Le Mans Series outfit.

Team co-owner Michael Shank declined comment when asked by Sportscar365.

While subject to approval by the ACO Selection Committee, it could mark MSR’s second Le Mans appearance after making its race debut in 2016 in a Ligier JS P2 Honda with Ozz Negri, John Pew and Laurens Vanthoor.

It’s believed MSR’s lineup would be made up of members of its all-female squad taking part in this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, in an effort led by Jackie Heinricher and backed by Caterpillar.

Heinricher, who has stepped out of MSR’s Acura NSX GT3 Evo this weekend due to a back injury, is set to be joined for the balance of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season by Katherine Legge.

Ana Beatriz, Simona de Silvestro and Christina Nielsen completes MSR’s lineup this weekend, in the first all-women driver squad at Daytona in 25 years.

MSR/Heinricher Racing previously revealed ambitions of taking part in this year’s Le Mans race during the GTD program announcement at Road Atlanta in October.

The effort would fall in line with the FIA and ACO’s push for women in endurance racing, with an initiative announced by FIA President Jean Todt at Le Mans last year.

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