The Ligier JS P2 is a racing car designed and built by French manufacturer Onroak Automotive and named in partnership with French former racing driver Guy Ligier.[6] Designed for the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) regulations, it is intended as a second option to Onroak's Morgan LMP2 that has been competing since 2012. As well as being the first closed-cockpit car offered by Onroak, it is also the first car they designed entirely in-house.[7] The JS P2 debuted at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans, and has been campaigned in the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Ligier JS P2
CategoryLe Mans Prototype 2
ConstructorOnroak Automotive
Designer(s)Nicolas Clémençon
PredecessorMorgan LMP2
SuccessorLigier JS P217
Technical specifications[1] [2]
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbones with pushrod-activated dampers
Suspension (rear)Same as front
Length4,610 mm (181 in)
Width2,000 mm (79 in)
Wheelbase2,865 mm (112.8 in)
EngineNissan VK45DE V8,[3]
Judd HK V8,[4]
Honda HPD HR28TT V6,[5]
longitudinal mid-mounted configuration
TransmissionXtrac 626 6-speed hydraulically-activated sequential manual transmission
WeightAppr. 900 kg (2,000 lb)
TyresMichelin, Dunlop, or Continental
Competition history
Notable entrantsFrance OAK Racing
France Thiriet by TDS Racing
Russia G-Drive Racing
United States Krohn Racing
United States Michael Shank Racing
United States Tequila Patrón ESM
United Kingdom Greaves Motorsport
Debut2014 24 Hours of Le Mans
RacesWins
6813
Teams' Championships5 (2015 FIA WEC, 2016-17 Asian LMS, 2018-19 Asian LMS, 2018-19 Asian LMS (P2 Am), 2019-20 Asian LMS (P2 Am)))
Drivers' Championships5 (2015 FIA WEC, 2016-17 Asian LMS, 2018-19 Asian LMS, 2018-19 Asian LMS (P2 Am), 2019-20 Asian LMS (P2 Am))

Development

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Onroak initially planned to develop a car for the Le Mans Prototype 1 category but cancelled these plans to concentrate on the LMP2 category.[7] The design was seen by Onroak as marketable in North America where closed-cockpit designs, which were required for all LMP1 cars, were also prominent choices for LMP2s and Daytona Prototypes in the new United SportsCar Championship.[6] The LMP1 design was therefore evolved into an LMP2 design with measures taken to assure the car met the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's (ACO) cost limitations in LMP2. The car was designed to be able to utilize available LMP2 engines:
A flat-plane crankshaft version of a Nissan V8 aluminum DOHC 4-valve engine (VK45).[2] Judd's naturally aspirated HK V8 (BMW S65 Variant),[8] and Honda's HPD V6 double turbo engine;[2] (HR28TT).[9][10] A high downforce sprint design and a low downforce Le Mans setup are offered for the car.[1]

Naming of the JS P2 came about through an alliance between Onroak and Guy Ligier's partnership of Équipe Ligier and Automobiles Martini. The JS P2 follows Ligier's naming scheme of his cars being named after French racing driver Jo Schlesser (JS). The partnership included Onroak taking over development of Ligier-Martini's Group CN car.[6]

Racing history

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The Ligier JS P2 (VK45DE) of Greaves Motorsport at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans: Finished Position 10 @ 348 Laps

The JS P2 began initial testing in March 2014.[11] The debut of the first JS P2s was set for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, where the Ligier name would race for the first time since a Ligier JS2 had finished second overall in 1975.[6] OAK would enter two cars, one backed by Nissan's drivers and engine while the other car featured three Chinese drivers and a Honda powerplant. The third car was purchased by privateers Thiriet by TDS Racing and also used a Nissan engine.[12] The two Nissan JS P2 qualified well, with TDS's car on pole position and the first OAK car in third.[13] All three cars finished the 24 hour endurance with TDS in second and OAK in fifth and seventh places in class.

Following Le Mans TDS Racing campaigned their Ligier in the remainder of the European Le Mans Series, but were unable to finish the three races in which they participated. OAK Racing meanwhile brought their Ligier to the United States for the two remaining rounds of the United SportsCar Championship, where Alex Brundle put the Honda-powered JS P2 on pole position on debut at Circuit of the Americas[14] en route to a second-place finish. The Nissan-powered OAK car moved to the FIA World Endurance Championship where it earned five consecutive pole positions in the five remaining races as well as class victories at Fuji Speedway and Shanghai International Circuit.

In 2015 the American Krohn Racing team purchased a JS P2 for a partial season in the United SportsCar Championship and a full season in the European Le Mans Series, and will be the first team to utilize Judd power in the Ligier.[15] Michael Shank Racing purchased a Honda-powered JS P2 for a full United SportsCar Championship campaign, and won pole position at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.[16] In 2016, Extreme Speed Motorsports entered a JS P2 in the United Sportscar Championship, winning both the 2016 24 Hours of Daytona and the 2016 12 Hours of Sebring, with the JS P2 becoming the first car to defeat a Daytona Prototype at the 24 hours, as well as the team becoming the first to win the so-called "36 Hours of Florida" since 1998.[17]

Results summary

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Complete World Endurance Championship results

edit

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap. Green background indicates second team entry; eligible only for Drivers' championship points.

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
Year Entrant Class Drivers No. Rds. Rounds Pts. Pos.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2014   G-Drive Racing LMP2   Roman Rusinov
  Olivier Pla
  Julien Canal
26 4-8
4-8
4-8
SIL SPA LMS COA
4
FUJ
1
SHA
1
BHR
4
SÃO
Ret
137* 2nd*
  OAK Racing-Team Asia   David Cheng
  Ho-Pin Tung
  Adderly Fong
33 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
7
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
SÃO
0 NC
  OAK Racing   Alex Brundle
  Jann Mardenborough
  Mark Shulzhitskiy
35 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
5
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
SÃO
0 NC
  Thiriet by TDS Racing   Pierre Thiriet
  Ludovic Badey
  Tristan Gommendy
46 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
2
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
SÃO
0 NC
2015   G-Drive Racing LMP2   Roman Rusinov
  Julien Canal
  Sam Bird
26 All
All
All
SIL

1

SPA
10
LMS
3
NÜR
2
COA
1
FUJ
1
SHA
2
BHR
1
178 1st
  Gustavo Yacamán
  Ricardo González
  Pipo Derani
28 All
All
All
SIL
2
SPA
2
LMS
4
NÜR
3
COA
3
FUJ
3
SHA
Ret
BHR
3
134 3rd
  Extreme Speed Motorsports   Scott Sharp
  Ryan Dalziel
  David Heinemeier Hansson
30 2-8
2-8
2-8
SIL
SPA
9
LMS
10
NÜR
6
COA
4
FUJ
4
SHA
Ret
BHR
7
62 7th
  Ed Brown
  Jon Fogarty

  Johannes van Overbeek

31 2-8
2-8
2-8
SIL
SPA
8
LMS
7
NÜR
8
COA
Ret
FUJ
7
SHA
5
BHR
8
62* 8th*
  OAK Racing   Chris Cumming
  Kévin Estre
  Laurens Vanthoor
34 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
Ret
NÜR
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
0 NC
  Jacques Nicolet
  Jean-Marc Merlin
  Erik Maris
35 1-3
1-3
1-3
SIL
5
SPA
7
LMS
11
NÜR
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
34 9th
  Krohn Racing   Tracy Krohn
  Niclas Jönsson
  João Barbosa
40 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
12
NÜR
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
0 NC
2016   SO24! by Lombard Racing LMP2   Vincent Capillaire
  Erik Maris
  Jonathan Coleman
22 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
14
NÜR
MEX
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
0 NC
  Panis-Barthez Compétition   Fabien Barthez
  Timothé Buret
  Paul-Loup Chatin
23 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
8
NÜR
MEX
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
0 NC
  Algarve Pro Racing   Michael Munemann
  Chris Hoy
  Andrea Pizzitola
25 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
12
NÜR
MEX
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
0 NC
  Extreme Speed Motorsports   Scott Sharp
  Ed Brown
  Johannes van Overbeek
  Sean Gelael
  Antonio Giovinazzi
  Giedo van der Garde

  Tom Blomqvist
  Tom Dillmann

30 1-6
1-6
1-6
7-9
7-9
7, 9
8
9
SIL
9
SPA
7
LMS
11
NÜR
8
MEX
9
COA
7
FUJ
4
SHA
2
BHR
5
78 5th
  Pipo Derani
  Ryan Dalziel
  Chris Cumming
31 All
All
All
SIL
2
SPA
2
LMS
15
NÜR
3
MEX
3
COA
5
FUJ
5
SHA
5
BHR
4
116 4th
  Krohn Racing   Tracy Krohn
  Niclas Jönsson
  João Barbosa
40 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
13
NÜR
MEX
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
0 NC
  Greaves Motorsport   Memo Rojas
  Julien Canal
  Nathanaël Berthon
41 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
6
NÜR
MEX
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
0 NC
  RGR Sport by Morand   Filipe Albuquerque
  Bruno Senna
  Ricardo González
43 All
All
All
SIL
1
SPA
4
LMS
10
NÜR
2
MEX
1
COA
2
FUJ
2
SHA
3
BHR
2
169 2nd
  Michael Shank Racing   John Pew
  Oswaldo Negri Jr.
  Laurens Vanthoor
49 3
3
3
SIL
SPA
LMS
9
NÜR
MEX
COA
FUJ
SHA
BHR
0 NC
Sources:[18][19][20][21]

* Points were scored with the Morgan LMP2

* Points were scored with the HPD ARX-03b

Complete European Le Mans Series results

edit

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.

Complete European Le Mans Series results
Year Entrant Class Drivers No. Rds. Rounds Pts. Pos.
1 2 3 4 5 6
2014   Thiriet by TDS Racing LMP2   Ludovic Badey
  Tristan Gommendy
  Pierre Thiriet
46 All
All
All
SIL
IMO
RBR
Ret
LEC
Ret
EST
Ret
35* 7th*
2015   Algarve Pro Racing LMP2   Michael Munemann
  Andrea Roda
  James Winslow
25 3-5
3-5
3-5
SIL
IMO
RBR
10
LEC
8
EST
7
11 12th
  Krohn Racing   Niclas Jönsson
  Tracy Krohn
  Oswaldo Negri Jr.
  Julien Canal
  Olivier Pla
40 All
All
1-2
3
4-5
SIL
4
IMO
5
RBR
5
LEC
5
EST
8
46 4th
2016   SO24! By Lombard Racing LMP2   Vincent Capillaire
  Jonathan Coleman
  Olivier Lombard
22 1-2
1-2
1-2
SIL
3
IMO
11
RBR
LEC
SPA
EST
15.5 12th
  Panis Barthez Competition   Fabien Barthez
  Timothé Buret
  Paul-Loup Chatin
23 All
All
All
SIL
9
IMO
7
RBR
7
LEC
11
SPA
7
EST
7
27.5 8th
  Algarve Pro Racing   Michael Munemann
  Parth Ghorpade
  Chris Hoy
  Jonathan Hirschi
  Andrea Pizzitola
  Andrea Roda
25 1-3, 5
1-2
1-2
3-5
3-5
4
SIL
10
IMO
Ret
RBR
5
LEC
7
SPA
9
EST
19 9th
  IDEC Sport Racing   Dimitri Enjalbert
  Patrice Lafargue
  Paul Lafargue
28 1-2, 4-6
1-2, 4-6
1-2, 4-6
SIL
7
IMO
Ret
RBR
LEC
10
SPA
8
EST
6
19 10th
  Krohn Racing   Niclas Jönsson
  Björn Wirdheim
  Tracy Krohn
  Olivier Pla
40 All
1-2
1, 3-5
2-6
SIL
4
IMO
6
RBR
9
LEC
8
SPA
10
EST
4
39 6th
  Greaves Motorsport   Julien Canal
  Memo Rojas
  Kuba Giermaziak
  Nathanaël Berthon
41 All
All
1-2
3-6
SIL
8
IMO
8
RBR
6
LEC
6
SPA
4
EST
Ret
36 7th
  Team WRT   Will Stevens
  Dries Vanthoor
  Laurens Vanthoor
47 5
5
5
SIL
IMO
RBR
LEC
SPA
2
EST
18 11th
Sources:[22][23][24][21]

* Points were scored with the Morgan LMP2

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

edit

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results
Year Entrant Class Drivers No. Rds. Rounds Pts. Pos.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
2014   OAK Racing P   Gustavo Yacamán
  Alex Brundle
  Ho-Pin Tung
42 All
10-11
11
DAY SEB LBH LGA DET WGL MOS IMS ELK COA
2
PET
9
309* 5th*
2015   Krohn Racing P   Tracy Krohn
  Niclas Jönsson
  Olivier Pla
  Alex Brundle
57 1-2
1-2
1-2
1
DAY
13
SEB
6
LBH
LGA
DET
WGL
MOS
ELK
COA
PET
45 11th
  Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian   Oswaldo Negri Jr.
  John Pew
  Matt McMurry
  A. J. Allmendinger
  Justin Wilson
60 All
All
1, 10
1
2
DAY
5
SEB
13
LBH
6
LGA
3
DET
2
WGL
7
MOS
3
ELK
4
COA
4
PET
9
273 6th
2016   Tequila Patrón ESM P   Pipo Derani
  Scott Sharp
  Johannes van Overbeek
  Ed Brown
2 1-2, 6, 10
1-2, 6, 10
1-2, 6, 10
1-2
DAY
1
SEB
1
LBH
LGA
DET
WGL
9
MOS
ELK
COA
PET
2
128 9th
  Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian   Oswaldo Negri Jr.
  John Pew
  Olivier Pla
  A. J. Allmendinger
  Katherine Legge
60 All
1-4, 6-10
1-2, 6, 10
1
5
DAY
11
SEB
7
LBH
7
LGA
1
DET
5
WGL
3
MOS
6
ELK
4
COA
6
PET
1
282 4th
Sources:[25][26][27][21]

* Points were scored with the Morgan LMP2

Complete Asian Le Mans Series results

edit

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.

Year Entrant Class Drivers No. Rds. Rounds Pts. Pos.
1 2 3 4
2015-16   Algarve Pro Racing LMP2   Dean Koutsoumidis
  Michael Munemann
  James Winslow
25 2-4
2-4
2-4
FUJ
SEP I
2
BUR
2
SEP II
3
53 2nd
2016-17   Algarve Pro Racing LMP2   Tacksung Kim
  Matt McMurry
  Andrea Roda
  Mark Patterson
  Jonathan Hirschi
  Michael Munemann
24 All
1
1
2-4
2
3-4
ZHU
2
FUJ
4
BUR
3
SEP
3
60 3rd
  Andrea Pizzitola
  Michael Munemann
  Nicky Catsburg
  Andrea Roda

  Matt McMurry
  Aidan Read

25 All
1-2
1
2-4
3
4
ZHU
3
FUJ
3
BUR
2
SEP
1
76 1st
2017-18   ARC Bratislava LMP2   Konstantīns Calko
  Miroslav Konôpka
  Rik Breukers
  Gustavo Yacamán
4 All
All
1-2
3
ZHU
3
FUJ
4
BUR
4
SEP
4
51 3rd
  Algarve Pro Racing   Ate de Jong
  Dean Koutsoumidis
  John Graham
25 All
All
1, 3-4
ZHU
4
FUJ
4
BUR
Ret
SEP
Ret
20 6th
  Eurasia Motorsport   Alex Au
  Keiko Ihara
  Scott Andrews
  Marko Asmer
  Yoshiharu Mori
  Nabil Jeffri
  Jake Parsons
33 1
1
2
2,4
2
4
4
ZHU
4
FUJ
Ret
BUR
SEP
3
28 5th
  BBT   Pipo Derani
  Anthony Liu
  Davide Rizzo
37 All
All
All
ZHU
2
FUJ
2
BUR
3
SEP
2
70 2nd
2018-19   Spirit of Race LMP2   Pipo Derani
  Côme Ledogar
  Alexander West
8 1-2, 4
1-2, 4
1-2, 4
SHA
1
FUJ
6
CHA
SEP
5
  United Autosports   Phil Hanson
  Paul di Resta
22 All
All
SHA
2
FUJ
2
CHA
1
SEP
2
80 1st
  Algarve Pro Racing   Ate de Jong
  Harrison Newey
  Andrea Pizzitola
24 All
All
All
SHA
Ret
FUJ
1
CHA
2
SEP
1
69 2nd
  Panis Barthez Competition   François Heriau
  Matthieu Lahaye
  Jean-Baptiste Lahaye
35 All
All
1, 3-4
SHA
6
FUJ
4
CHA
3
SEP
3
50 4th
  ARC Bratislava LMP2 Am   Darren Burke
  Miroslav Konôpka
  Kang Ling
4 All
All
All
SHA
2
FUJ
1
CHA
1
SEP
1
94 1st
  United Autosports   Patrick Byrne
  Guy Cosmo
  Salih Yoluç
23 All
All
All
SHA
1
FUJ
2
CHA
3
SEP
Ret
60 2nd
  Algarve Pro Racing   Anders Fjordbach
  Chris McMurry
  Mark Patterson
25 All
All
All
SHA
3
FUJ
3
CHA
2
SEP
Ret
49 3rd
2019-20   ARC Bratislava LMP2 Am   Miro Konopka
  Andreas Laskaratos
  Kang Ling
  Garnet Patterson
4 1-2
1-2
1
2
SHA
Ret
BEN
3
SEP
CHA
16 4th
  Rick Ware Racing   Philippe Mulacek
  Guy Cosmo
  Anthony Lazzaro
25 2-4
2-4
2-4
SHA
DNS
BEN
2
SEP
Ret
CHA
1
45 2nd
  Mark Kvamme
  Cody Ware
  Gustas Grinbergas
52 1
All
2-4
SHA
2
BEN
1
SEP
1
CHA
2
86 1st
Source:[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Onroak Automotive Ligier JS P2" (PDF). Onroak Automotive. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "LIGIER JS P2". Ligier Automotive. Ligier. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  3. ^ "First pictures of Nismo V8". 24h-lemans. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  4. ^ "JUDD HK V8 LMP2: Motorsport Engine". Judd Power. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Photos of Ligier JS P2". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d "OnRoak, Ligier Announce Partnership". Sportscar365. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  7. ^ a b Dagys, John (4 March 2014). "Ligier JS P2 Breaks Cover". Sportscar365. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  8. ^ "JUDD HK V8 LMP2: Motorsport Engine". Judd Power. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  9. ^ "2012 HPD ARX-03b: HPD". Supercars.net. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Honda Performance Development Unveils 3.5-Liter Prototype Engine". hondanews.com. Honda Newsroom. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  11. ^ Mercier, Laurent (4 March 2014). "Nicolet Pleased with Ligier JS P2 Rollout". Sportscar365. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  12. ^ Dagys, John (16 March 2014). "Ligier JS P2 Receives Homologation, Set for Le Mans Debut". Sportscar365. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  13. ^ Dagys, John (12 June 2014). "Nakajima, Toyota Take Landmark Pole at Le Mans". Sportscar365. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  14. ^ DiZinno, Tony (19 September 2014). "Brundle Secures Ligier-Honda TUSC Debut Pole at COTA". Sportscar365. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  15. ^ Dagys, John (29 January 2015). "Nergi Completes Krohn Racing Lineup in ELMS". Sportscar365. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  16. ^ "Negri Takes MSR Ligier JS P2 Honda to Rolex 24 Pole". Sportscar365. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  17. ^ Fira, Michael (22 March 2016). "12 Hours of Sebring Race Report". Topspeed. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  18. ^ "WEC Classification – 2014 FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams". FIA World Endurance Championship. Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Season 2015 Results". FIA World Endurance Championship. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  20. ^ "WEC Classification – 2016 FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams". FIA World Endurance Championship. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d "Complete Archive of Ligier JS P2". Racing Sports Cars. pp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  22. ^ "2014 LMP2 Teams Classification". European Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  23. ^ "2015 LMP2 Teams Classification". European Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  24. ^ "2016 LMP2 Teams Classification". European Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  25. ^ "2014 TUDOR Championship Official Points REVISED.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  26. ^ "2015 TUDOR Championship Points Standings - Official.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  27. ^ "2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Point Standings" (PDF). results.imsa.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
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