OAK Racing to Field G-Drive LMP2 Entry

Photo: OAK Racing/DPPI

Despite not having its name on the entry list, OAK Racing will still be represented in this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship.

The French squad confirmed Thursday that it will field G-Drive Racing’s effort in LMP2 with a OnRoak Automotive-designed Morgan-Nissan. 

Roman Rusinov, who brings the backing of the Russian oil company, will be joined by OAK factory driver Olivier Pla and fellow Frenchman Julien Canal, who satisfies the car’s Silver-rated driver requirement.

“We’re very happy that the results scored by OAK Racing have convinced G-­Drive Racing to choose us to run their car,” OAK Racing and OnRoak Automotive President Jacques Nicolet said. “Although our technical team will be working in new colors, their motivation will remain intact.

“In addition, it’s a two-fold satisfaction, as G-Drive has decided to enter an OnRoak Automotive chassis. Thus, we’re going to work with G-­Drive Racing both as a constructor and a race team.”

The move to OAK marks the third different team running the G-Drive operation in three years, following efforts with Signatech (2012) and Delta-ADR (2013).

Rusinov, who scored four class victories at the wheel of the Delta-ADR-run Oreca 03 Nissan last year, drove for OAK in last month’s TUDOR United SportsCar Championship-season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“Olivier and I worked very well [at the Rolex 24],” Rusinov said. “I set the highest goals and think that we can fight for the Champion’s title… We have everything for this: a strong team of drivers, the fastest car and the will to win.”

Canal is set to make his LMP2 debut following four years with Larbre Competition in the GT ranks, most recently in GTE-Am with its Corvette C6.R. The Frenchman is a three-time class winner at Le Mans.

Larbre, meanwhile, will also field a Morgan-Nissan in the European Le Mans Series, with OAK team boss Nicolet listed as the nominated driver. The effort is listed as the first reserve on the Le Mans prototype entry list.

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