Strakka-Dome Absent from Prologue Test

Photo: Strakka Racing

The Strakka-Dome S103 will not take part in this week’s mandatory FIA World Endurance Championship Prologue test at Paul Ricard, the team announced Thursday.

The Japanese manufacturer’s new LMP2 car broke cover late last week and completed what the British squad claimed as a successful shakedown of the car at the Turweston Aerodrome in England on Monday.

However, according to the team, a late technical issue has delayed its track debut.

“Teething problems such as these are not unexpected with a brand new car,” said Hiroshi Yuchi, Dome’s chief designer. “Together with partner Strakka Racing, we have all worked extremely hard to have the Strakka Dome S103 out at the Prologue but we have to reschedule.

“Dome and Strakka Racing are now planning a private test in Europe where we can start to really develop and refine the car ahead of the first round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.”

The two-day official pre-season test at Paul Ricard is mandatory for all teams, meaning Strakka will have to receive an exception from the FIA in order to be on the grid at Silverstone.

It’s understood the new Lotus T129 LMP1 car will also be absent this week, with the Kodewa squad having previously made the request due to a late switch of engine manufacturers.

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