LARBRE COMPETITION WITH LIGIER SPORT-PROTOTYPES IN 2018 IN THE ‘MICHELIN CUP’.

Larbre Compétition is turning to Sport-Prototypes in 2018 with Ligier. Jack Leconte’s team has applied to the Automobile Club de l’Ouest for two Ligier JS P3s in the Michelin Le Mans Cup and will apply for a Ligier JS P217 at the ’24 Hours Mans’, where the The team would celebrate its 25th participation there!

For 30 years, Larbre Competition has crisscrossed circuits all over the world and has forged a solid track record in the various GT categories, with many models: Porsche, Ferrari, Chrysler, Aston Martin, Saleen and Corvette.

In 2014, Larbre Compétition entered a Morgan LM P2 in ELMS and at the ’24 Hours of Le Mans’, a first step towards the LM P2 category and Sport-Prototypes. Today for the 2018 Season, the Team is starting a new adventure and is entering two Ligier JS P3s in Michelin Le Mans Cup, the European series with six events, including the most prestigious, that of Road to Le Mans.

Race run on Saturday morning before the start in the afternoon of the ’24 Hours of Le Mans’.

Moreover, after having celebrated its 24th participation in the ’24 Hours of Le Mans’ in 2017 with its Corvette, Larbre Compétition hopes to once again take the start of the most legendary endurance race next June. While his two Ligier JS P3s will participate in Road to Le Mans on the 13.626 km of the Manceau track, the team also wants to field a Ligier JS P217 for the ’24 Hours of Le Mans’. A registration request will be submitted to the ACO.

Fernando Rees has already confirmed that he will join the Team again at the wheel of the Ligier JS P217. Since 2007, the Brazilian driver has driven for Larbre Competition on numerous occasions, with Aston Martins, Saleens and Corvettes. The complete definition of the crews participating in the LM P3 and LM P2 programs, supported by Motul and Michelin, Team’s loyal partners will be announced in the coming weeks.

Larbre Compétition is now offering tests behind the wheel of the Ligier JS P3 and Ligier JS P217 for pilots wishing to join the adventure. The sessions will be organized on the Val de Vienne circuit (86) where the team is based.

JACK LECONTE Photo Alan MONNOT

Jack Leconte, Team Manager tells us:

“Larbre Compétition has taken part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 24 times, but only once with a sport prototype. It was in 2014, with a Morgan LM P2, already a collaboration with Jacques Nicolet and Onroak Automotive. Today, we want to use our 30 years of endurance experience in a new adventure, by turning to sport-prototypes and the LM P2 and LM P3 categories. The choice of the Ligier brand seemed obvious to us: it allows us to be present in both categories, and to work again with Onroak Automotive. In addition, we are delighted to welcome Fernando once again to the team. Last year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans he took pole position in LM GTE-Am at the wheel of our Corvette, he would be an excellent asset to hoist our Ligier JS P217 to the forefront this year. « 

Note also that Jack Leconte is a partner in the management of the Circuit du Val de Vienne, a partnership which explains the logical choice of Ligier chassis!

Gilles GAIGNAULT

Pictures :
Nicolas PALUDETTO – Thierry COULIBALY – Alain MONNOT