The rise and rise of LMP2

One of the great success stories for the inaugural season of the FIA World Endurance Championship was the LMP2 category, and it promises to be just as exciting in 2013.  With 12 cars registered for the full season we can expect great racing, close contests and the odd surprise or two.

The FIA and the ACO have worked hard in formulating the technical and sporting regulations for 2013 and beyond to keep LMP2 as a cost-capped formula.   The class is aimed at privateer teams with the emphasis being on reliability, safety and a low maintenance cost.  At least one of the driver line-up has to be Silver or Bronze-rated, and this allows many of the gentlemen team owners within the category the opportunity to drive alongside and against professional drivers in this top-level Championship.

LMP2 is the most diverse of all the categories in terms of equipment, and seven different chassis-engine combinations will be fighting it out, including that of 2012 FIA Endurance Trophy winner Starworks Motorsport.  The American team will be defending its title with its HPD ARX 03b-Honda and the Japanese engine supplier can expect tough opposition from, among others, Nissan.  Three-quarters of the 12 LMP2 cars will be Nissan-powered, the manufacturer enjoying a period of numeric domination in the category.  Newcomer to the WEC, HVM Status GP, will field a British-built Judd engine, while Lotus LMP2 will once again be returning with two Lotus T128 models.

French company Oreca, whose parent group is celebrating 40 years in motorsport in 2013, provides chassis for the British Delta-ADR team, the Russian-entered G-Drive Racing and Argentine-registered Pecom Racing, while Jacques Nicolet’s Oak Racing will once again field two Morgan-Nissans.  Greaves Motorsport has the sole Zytek chassis in the full season line up, and Gulf Racing Middle East and HVM Status GP have shown great loyalty in sticking with the Lola brand which went through troubled times in 2012.

Easily identified to spectators by white numbers on a blue background on these 900kg prototypes, the LMP2 class entry boasts many experienced teams and drivers, reliable and nimble chassis with engines producing enough power to guarantee competitive performances.  Who will lay claim to the 2013 FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 teams at the end of the season?  The guessing game is on!

Fiona Miller

Photo : INTERLAGOS (SAO PAULO, BRAZIL), AUTODROMO JOSE CARLOS PACE, 6 HOURS OF SAO PAULO, SATURDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2012.