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Perrinn Launches New Open-Source LMP1 Concept

Perrinn launches innovative new fan-based concept for LMP1 program…

perrinn1

While a debut this year may be out of the question, Nicolas Perrin has laid out plans for his four-wheel drive LMP1 car to fight against top manufacturers in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2015. (En Français)

The U.K.-based constructor, in an Endurance-Info exclusive, has revealed that the car will be called “myLMP1”, which will be entered by Perrinn Limited under the “myTeam” banner.

It’s a new concept created by the former engineer for Williams F1, who is aiming to expose the world of endurance racing to fans in a new way.

“This is the culmination of three years of research to get [to this point] of the project,” Perrin said in an exclusive interview. “This fairly new idea struck me as the right solution. We would share the story of an innovative team. It has never been [done] in motorsport, as everything is [usually] hidden.

“Everything [with the myLMP1] will be open-source. That is to say that we will open our information to everyone, for free. The goal is to have the maximum number of fans and supporters. Everything will be available in real-time on our website. The idea is to attract partners in a different way.”

The construction of a LMP1 car requires a lot of financial resources and Perrinn Limited is aiming to innovate.

“We must reinvent the business model and I think there is much to gain by sharing data,” he said. “It’s too complicated for a manufacturer to do and impossible for a customer team.

“Perrinn Limited wants to have the means to do so, because the ultimate goal is to fight for the overall win at Le Mans and in the FIA WEC. Technically, we are ready and we have the intellectual property.”

Perrin confirmed that partners are willing to join the project and the LMP1 constructor hopes to have the remaining budget in place soon.

It’s expected that the first car will begin on-track testing late this year, before a full-season FIA WEC commitment next year, with one or two cars. Several engine options are currently being evaluated.

“By launching myTeam, we want people to realize that in some way, this program is theirs,” Perrin said. “They are not expected to make any contributions for access to the information. Fans can even [interact] and make suggestions in real time. We will put in place a dedicated team to do this.

“The build of a LMP1 car is a technological project. With our concept, we will expand the scope of education by inspiring a new generation of scientists. Everyone can suggest things through a school or university. Anything is possible.”

The LMP1 project does not date back to yesterday. “It’s been three years since I put every effort to launch the car in a traditional way,” he added. “But I am ready to start a revolution in the industry… We cannot pretend to compete with manufacturers if we do same things. We must innovate in order to otherwise find the funding. I firmly believe in myTeam.”

More information can be found on the constructor’s Web site: http://perrinn.com/

Laurent Mercier (@LaurentMercier2) is the Editor-in-Chief of Endurance-Info.com, the leading French-language source for the latest sports car racing news from around the world.

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