The LM P3 chassis that emerged from the Onroak Automotive workshops in June has confirmed that it has the same qualities as the JS P2: namely, it’s quick and comfortable to drive.
This Monday and Tuesday the Ligier JS P3’s development programme continued on the Motorland Aragon circuit in Spain. The excellent potential of the new Onroak Automotive chassis glimpsed during the shakedown was confirmed during the test days in the hands of the very experienced Olivier Pla.
The Ligier JS P3, powered by the Nissan engine and shod with the Michelin tyres homologated by the ACO, set its fastest lap in 1m 32.28sec on the 4,926-km circuit used by the team, compared to 1m 29.1sec for the Ligier JS P2-Nissan, which was testing the same day. These times were set when the track temperature was 31°C: for comparison the Ligier JS P2-Nissan lapped in 1m 24.41sec in February when the track temperature was 9°C.
Thanks to optimised cockpit ventilation, power steering, a large bucket seat, and a reclined seating position which makes the G forces easier to absorb which will be an attractive option for teams fielding gentlemen drivers.
“After the success of the Ligier JS P2 they have continued in the same vein in brilliant fashion with the Ligier JS P3”, said Jacques Nicolet, Onroak Automotive President. “it was great to see Olivier Pla again with whom we’ve shared so many years of work and complicity”.
Pla himself was complimentary of the new machinery, highlighting the compliancy factor of the JS P3’s handling as a chief selling factor for potential clients.
“We covered a large number of kilometers – more than 700 – and we didn’t run into any problems”, said Pla.
“As we already saw during the Magny-Cours tests last month the car has no defects and very easy and pleasant to drive.
The Ligier JS P3, which complies with the strict LM P3 regulations in every aspect, is very quick as proved by the times set over the last two days. We did a lot of work on optimising the balance to be in a position to supply future clients with the maximum amount of data to help them get the best out of the car.”
Onroak Automotive hopes to debut the Ligier JS P3 at the opening round of the Asian Le Mans Series (on the same program with the WEC round) at Fuji on 10th October.