Shank gets a Ligier and keeps Negri in the crew

When the sportscars fans knew about the new LMP2 regulations for 2017, ending the adoption of the famous Daytona Prototypes in the United Sportscar Championship, the question made at that time was: “When the DP teams will switch to LMP2 machinery, if they will do so?” We are still away from a complete change, but the first step was done.

Michael Shank Racing announced they purchased a Ligier JS P2, made by Onroak Automotive, to run during the whole 2015 United Sportscar Championship season, except the 24 Hours of Daytona. Shank explained to Sportcar365 that the reason to run in Daytona with the Ligier was strictly time, as the car delivery is expected to February, and  they don’t believe they will make the new ride quick and reliable enough to race at Daytona, so they will use the current Ford EcoBoost Riley DP they have now.

Talking about engine, nothing was confirmed at the moment, but it looks like Shank will try to adapt the Ford EcoBoost power to the Ligier, as he announced long ago that he wanted to keep his commitment with Ford to switch to LMP machinery. This will the fourth powerplant used in the Onroak-built LMP2, joining Nissan, HPD and Judd.

One of the reasons that Shank got a Ligier was to go to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as the traditional French race is on the radar of 47-year old crew chief. He said the benefits of the relationship with Onroak will help to achieve this goal, and in 2015 he will go there to learn about the race to try to race in 2016.

Another good one is about the drivers, as they confirmed that Ozz Negri, the Brazilian driver who drives with MSR since 2004, will continue with them next year, as his contract was finally renewed, which keeps the current lineup of Negri and John Pew for the future.

OWNER NOTE:

In case of being a Ford-powered LMP2, it will mark the first time since 2012 that we see a Ford LMP2 engine on track, as Project Libra ran at the 2012 American Le Mans Series Laguna Seca round with a Roush-Yates prepared Ford EcoBoost engine in their Radical SR10.

PHOTOS: Onroak Automotive, Michael Shank Racing