Strakka Racing to LMP1
So some big news regarding the FIA WEC, ELMS, and TUSCC has been released, the first is that Strakka Racing will be moving back into the FIA WEC LMP1 category in 2017 when the new LMP2 regulations come in, we will get onto that news in a second but first lets finish the Strakka news. They will be designing and building there own LMP1 contender for 2017 as they are wanting to produce there own cars now, but under new LMP2 regulations they wont be allowed too. Development of the new LMP1 is to start this year, and they will be using the Dome Strakka S103 chassis as a test mule for development. This means the car is been retired from the FIA WEC, but they will still be racing as they have acquired a 2015 specification Gibson (Zytek), the first race for the Gibson will be the Nürburgring 6 Hours next month. More can be read here.
2017 LMP2 chassis manufacturers
Now onto the new LMP2 regulations, 4 chassis manufacturers have been chosen by the FIA/ACO with one been a surprise to quite a few people. Onroak Automotive, Oreca, a Riley-Multimatic joint venture and Dallara have been chosen to supply cars. The choice of Dallara came as a little bit of a surprise as they will be new to the LMP2 scene, not saying they can’t make a good car, but I was expecting Ginetta to be chosen as they have publicly said they wanted to join LMP2 and were the first company to back/build a LMP3 contender. It is also for this reason as stated above why Strakka are moving into LMP1. The next thing to come is an engine builder to be appointed to build the category’s single engine choice and a gearbox supplier. More can be read here.