The LMP2 grid is boosted to five cars here with the addition of United Autosport’s #23 Oreca 07.
Josh Pierson, who turned 16 years old on 14 February, and therefore could not race at Dubai as he was under-age for the International licence he required, will share the car with Paul di Resta in a silver/ Platinum two-driver pairing.
Also present in Abu Dhabi is Pierson’s driver coach and IMSA racer Stephen Simpson.
The team were testing at Yas Marina whilst the Asian Le Mans teams were transmitting from Dubai, Pierson was assisted by his 2022 WEC team-mate Oliver Jarvis for the test.
We’ve already covered the debut here of #LMPHusky on the #4 Nielsen Racing Oreca – the graphic representing Rodrigo Sales’ beloved 13-year-old rescue Siberian Husky ‘Shadow’, We haven’t met Shadow (yet!) but are more than reasonably sure that he is a VERY good boy!
There are two other ‘Easter Eggs’ on the Nielsen ‘Nordic Script’ livery, as explained by Rodrigo to DSC earlier this week:
The Taco is a nod to his thanks to Gunnar Jeannette who coached and accompanied Rodrigo in his transition to racing in Europe, “It seemed to me that every time I went to his place he was always making tacos!”
And the teddy bear is a tribute to his 2020 and 2021 ELMS and Le Mans team JMW Motorsport. “It’s the Haribo bear.
“The JMW boys got me hooked on Haribo Tangtastics, and said that was helping my performance. Hopefully, they don’t get added to the banned substances list!”
Whilst Dubai race 2 LMP2 Am winners High Class Racing will not be present in the ELMS or WEC in 2022 the Barcelona-based squad will be present in the Michelin Le Mans Cup as the service partners for the returning Team Thor Ligier of Audunn Gudmundsson.
High Class’s primary programme is in the IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship this season but at least one application for a slot at the Le Mans 24 Hours is expected.
Championship points post Dubai
After two wins and pole positions, the #4 Nielsen Racing Oreca is in a dominant position in the points standings.
#4 Nielsen Racing – 52 points
#39 Graff Racing – 33 points
#49 High Class Racing – 33 points
#44 ARC Bratislava – 24 points
