Whilst the ELMS paddock has seen news of a trio of new arrivals for LMP2 emerge there’s been precious little else in terms of expansion elsewhere in the Gibson-powered world with the FIA WEC only mid-season and IMSA adapting to a new class structure that sees the LMP2s operate as a Prototype class in their own right for 2019 and beyond.
DSC understands though that there may well soon be news of an expansion in the LMP2 numbers in the United States too.
Whilst the current remaining trio (CORE Autosport, PR1/ Mathiasen and Performance Tech) look set to return for next season in the newly separated class there has been little positivity cited thus far in any expansion of interest, beyond a number of European teams suggesting that battling for a class win at Daytona and/or Sebring might well hold real appeal for their Pro/ Am business model.
With cars available and the chassis manufacturers all keen to expand their customer bases there has been plenty of sales generation activity underway in recent weeks and industry sources suggest this is likely to bear fruit.
At present, the three remaining LMP2 teams are all expected to return but look set to be joined by a mix of graduating LMP3 teams and/or expanding single seater teams.
When pressed to suggest a likely full season entry one trusted industry insider told DSC that 5 cars looked likely for the season in the class, with up to seven very possible. Add that to a current confirmed DPi total of 10, (6 x Cadillac, 2 x Mazda, 2 x Acura) and with the ESM situation yet to be confirmed and a potential combined full-season Prototype grid of just shy of 20 cars looks in range.
