PLAIN CITY, Ohio – BAR1 Motorsports has taken delivery of a Gibson powered Multimatic-Riley Mk 30 LMP2 chassis with the intent to compete in the Prototype class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year.
The announcement comes just two weeks after the team scored a one-two finish at the season ending Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in the Prototype Challenge division, which will not return in 2018.
Team owner Brian Alder also sees this as an opportunity to return to Le Mans.
“Obviously, this is an important step for us,” said Alder. “The move to LMP2 opens up a lot of opportunities for the team. Running in the series’ flagship class attracts a higher level of marketing partners, top tier drivers and, for me personally, a chance to return to Le Mans.”
The move to LMP2 puts BAR1 in a class that includes several highly professional and competitive prototype teams, including the recently announced DPi program from Team Penske/Acura, Cadillac, Nissan and the Mazda team being led by Joest Racing.
“We’ve chosen to work with Multimatic on their newly updated P2 car,” added Alder. “After spending the past few months researching the different options for our move into the prototype class, we feel this car has the most potential of the P2 cars and is the best fit for our program in 2018.
“Multimatic’s continued support from Mazda and their new relationship with Team Joest only enhances the attractiveness of this program. Clearly, they learned quite a bit in 2017… I’ve seen first hand the changes they have made for 2018 and they are impressive. They have definitely done their homework and the initial testing results from overseas are exceeding everyone’s expectations.”
The Mk 30 is one of the quartet of cars approved by the ACO for the new LMP2 regulations. The new regulations, which limited the category to four car makers and mandated a spec Gibson V8 normally-aspirated engine, allow for developments to ensure close competition between the different chassis and safeguard team investment. However, the Mk 30, developed by Multimatic Motorsport, will be allowed more significant modifications than the Ligier and the Dallara. No evolutions will be allowed to the ORECA.
“The development allowances and ‘joker’ rule are very important to us,” noted Alder. “It demonstrates that organizers are adamant in their desire to maintain the competitiveness of the class and their ultimate aim to ensure that LMP2 remains a category that contains variety and a high level of competitiveness.”
The program change pretty much eliminates any thoughts the team may have had for an off-season.
“We are evaluating all current drivers and new driver combinations for 2018, which includes the possibility of adding a second car to our program,” noted Brian. “We expect to be on track within the next few weeks conducting our initial shakedown and as our drivers and crew learn the new car.”
Source : speedsport.com
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