RGR Sport Targeting Second LMP2 Car in 2017

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

RGR Sport could expand into a two-car LMP2 operation in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, with the Mexican squad looking to continue its relationship with OAK Racing and Onroak Automotive into 2017.

The Ricardo Gonzalez-owned team, which is coming off class victory in the Six Hours of Mexico, has revealed hopes of doubling its effort, and has begun preliminary discussions on a second entry.

“If everything comes together, we’ll have two cars,” Gonzalez told Sportscar365.

“We would need to come up with the budget and a good driver lineup. I think we can get a little bit [of the budget from the] outside but not too much, so it will depend on drivers. It would be a mixture.”

Gonzalez and co-drivers Bruno Senna and Filipe Albuquerque currently sit second in the LMP2 championship, following a strong start for the first-year team that’s featured two class wins and a pole.

He said the plan would be to continue the team’s operational partnership with OAK, and therefore include a move to the new Ligier JS P217. However, a deal has not yet been finalized.

“There’s other options but we’re obviously working with OAK Racing and Onroak and have a good relationship with them for a long time,” Gonzalez said. “If it works, why change it?”

Despite rumors of a number of teams’ exit from the class, Gonzalez feels the LMP2 class will still feature a strong grid, under the new-for-2017 regulations.

“I think we will see another strong P2 lineup, just how competitive the category is and the level of the whole class… the drivers, the teams… everything,” he said.

“It’s becoming a very interesting place for people with different plans in their careers.”

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