Rojas: “I Think The BR01 Has A Lot of Potential”

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Memo Rojas got his first taste of a LMP2 car last weekend, as the four-time GRAND-AM champion continues to explore his sports car racing options for 2016.

The Mexican ace took part in Sunday’s FIA World Endurance Championship Rookie Test in Bahrain, taking the wheel of AF Racing’s Nissan-powered BR01 prototype, which competed in the season-ending Six Hours of Bahrain the day prior.

“Unfortunately we missed the morning practice because of a mechanical problem,” Rojas told Sportscar365.

“But the second half of the day, I started just doing some laps to learn the track as it’s my first time in Bahrain. I got comfortable with the track.

“After that, we started to push a little bit more. The car is really neat car. Paolo Catone [BR01 designer] and all the SMP Racing guys have done a really nice job with it.

“I think the car has a lot of potential. It’s been running the ELMS with the Dunlops and from what I understand has been very competitive. I think the car can be very solid in 2016.”

While having spent eight years with Chip Ganassi Racing’s DP program, and achieving considerable success along the way, Rojas was quick to note the differences in the handling to a P2 car.

“I’m used to a car that moves around a lot, which is a DP,” he said. “Obviously performance-wise, they’re both good, they’re just different.

“The DeltaWing is a whole different story as it’s a car that’s completely different than anything.

“It’s good to be in a LMP2 car. I like the way it drives.”

With Rojas not returning for a second season with the DeltaWing, the two-time Rolex 24 winner is exploring his options, both in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and WEC.

He said he’s focused on finding a ride specifically in a LMP2 car, with the test in the BR01 to hopefully open additional opportunities.

“We got the opportunity to do this test and it’s good,” Rojas said. “But obviously we don’t know at this point what’s going to happen. We’ll know in the next two or three weeks.

“[WEC] is an option and there’s options in IMSA too. I’m waiting for some news from both sides so it will depend on that.”

It’s unclear if an opportunity could arise with the SMP team, which recently confirmed its entry for the Rolex 24 and is also planning a two-car program for the WEC next year.

However, the Telmex-backed driver admits the WEC would be an attractive platform for him, particularly with the addition the Mexico City round for 2016.

“It’s a World Championship,” Rojas said. “There’s a real nice international atmosphere here with all the teams and drivers and venues. It’s very competitive.

“I think it’s obviously attractive for that, for the global audience for that.”

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