There’s a rapid fire burst of activity amongst the 2018 LMP1 privateers to get their cars prepped and ready for next weekend’s WEC Prologue at Paul Ricard.
DragonSpeed
The #10 DragonSpeed BR1 Gibson is set to roll-out at Varno in Italy tomorrow in the hands of Ben Hanley after final assembly, and the first fire-up of the new Gibson GL458 4.5 litre V8 this afternoon.
After that the team will take their new steed from the Dallara factory where the car has been assembled with the assistance of DragonSpeed’s technical team, across the border to their workshop at Aix en Provence.
The coming days will see the car rebuilt again to allow the team to familiarise themselves with it prior to Paul Ricard. There will be no further running after the roll-out before the Prologue.
CEFC TRSM Ginetta
Ginetta are working flat out to deliver the second G60 LMP1 car in time for the test, at present it looks like the car will make it to Paul Ricard just in time.
The CEFC TRSM team meanwhile are also somewhat busy discussing the final dots and commas on contracts for the drivers for the FIA WEC Super Season.
DSC believes there are a number of names in contention, including a couple of head turners. prepare to reveal their chosen driver squad for the two-car effort, expect some details just before, or during, Prologue weekend,
ByKolles
Team ByKolles will also hold a roll-out of its LMP1 tomorrow on an airfield in Donauwoerth.
The run is designed as a check on the check of the 2018-spec Nismo twin turbo V6 engine and software.
The car is also set to be fitted with all the new 2018 components which the team say “recently passed FIA tests” and which will also deliver an overall weight saving.
The 2018 version of the car includes a new splitter and flaps, underfloor and suspension covers.
Dominik Kraihamer will be at the wheel for the roll-out but is not yet confirmed as a team driver for the 2018/19 FIA WEC.
SMP Racing
SMP Racing meanwhile ran what is believed to be the first test with both of their AER engined BR1s on track together late last week at Magny Cours. There’s a full gallery of images on the team PR’s Flickr page.
All five of their so-far confirmed drivers were present (Petrov, Aleshin, Sarrazin Orudzhev and Izaakyan). The Russian team have, by far, the most mileage under the wheels of their cars of all of the newcomers.
Rebellion Racing
The final car to make it’s first run looks set to be the new Rebellion R13, the first car is due to roll-out at Paul Ricard just before the Prologue, the second car not available to the team in time for the test.
