RLR MSport is delighted to announce that it will return to the European Le Mans Series’ (ELMS) headlining LMP2 division with an ORECA 07 in 2019.
The Bolton, Lancashire team is a leading light in the uppermost echelons of international sportscar racing with established and successful ELMS and Michelin Le Mans Cup programmes, as well as diverse engineering capabilities.
It first entered the ELMS in 2010, before expanding to two-pronged LMP2 campaigns that included an entry to the 2012 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
However, since 2016, RLR MSport has competed at the forefront of a hugely competitive LMP3 field in the ELMS and Le Mans Cup.
Supreme consistency during a fruitful 2017 campaign ensured RLR MSport scored points in every race it contested, although the squad has continued on an upward trajectory, emerging as a regular threat for race wins and championship titles in 2018.
Following a flawless win in the season-opening 4 Hours of Le Castellet, a triumphant outing at the Red Bull Ring and a strong points finish on home turf at Silverstone, RLR MSport currently sits atop the ELMS Teams’ and Drivers’ standings with only two rounds remaining at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (21-23 September) and Autodromo do Algarve in Portugal (26-28 October).
However, in the Spa paddock on Saturday (22 September) morning, RLR MSport announced that it will make a long-awaited comeback to LMP2 competition with a sole ORECA 07 next season.
The Lancastrian outfit is already deep into its 2019 preparations, having taken delivery of its ORECA prototype in August, when it also began its LMP2 test programme with a successful shakedown at Silverstone.
There, RLR MSport’s ELMS title contenders, John Farano and Job van Uitert, and multiple FIA WEC race winner Alex Brundle, became the first drivers to sample the car, but countless more miles will be covered during a test and development programme that will only intensify between now and the start of the 2019 season.
Consequently, RLR MSport is ready to enter into discussions with drivers who may be interested in testing or joining its 2019 race line-up.
RLR MSport Director of Motorsport Operations, Nick Reynolds, said: “I’m thrilled to announce RLR MSport’s plans to return to LMP2 competition, as it’s where we should be. We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved in the various categories we’ve entered and the final two rounds of this season are sure to be exciting as we gun for the European Le Mans Series LMP3 crown with John Farano, Job van Uitert and Rob Garofall.
“We have a proven track record with LMP2 machinery that dates back to 2010, but we’re more interested in looking forward and we fully intend to be a force when we step back into the ring in 2019. Testing has already begun, but we have lots more planned and we would be keen to hear from any driver who may be looking for a competitive LMP2 seat. These are very exciting times for RLR MSport and we look forward to welcoming new talent to the fold.”
Source. Leveridge Promotions
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