We’re back! At Sepang for the first time since 2020, just weeks before COVID 19 and its real world health and administrative impacted global, but dealt a particularly punishing series of blows in South East Asia.
The weather is, not unexpectedly as hot and sticky as a hot stick with the teams setting u this morning, several playing catch-up after some now traditional Europe to Asia shipping delays. A handful of cars are still en route to the circuit but all are understood to be in Malaysia already.
There’s the usual array of new cars, new liveries, new drivers, and the traditional Asian Le Mans Series phenomenon of drivers switching teams from their European campaigns!
The LMP2 class for the season is 11 cars deep with arguably the highest quality line-ups in the Series’ history.
Multiple Champions Algarve Pro Racing arrive with two cars, one in their 2023 (ELMS Championship winning) colours, the other in their full IMSA Crowdstrike Racing Michelin Endurance Cup-winning livery.
Proton Competition are in the process of prepping both of their ex-Prema Racing Orecas, one of which will be carrying a new Andy Blackmore colour scheme for AO Racing’s PJ Hyett.
Nielsen Racing have a neat and mildly updated version of their very first racing livery to celebrate their first decade as a team whilst TF Sport’s blue and Silver livery on the #90 Oreca contrasts somewhat with the 99 Racing car that they will also be servicing (pictured top).
In LMP3 it’s a welcome return to the class for the (very) locally based Viper Niza Racing team after contesting the GT class last season.
High Class Racing field their brand new Ligier in the class ahead of a potential Michelin Le Mans Cup effort in 2024 with Team Thor’s Audunn Gudmundssun joining Anders Fjordbach and team newcomer Seth Lucas.
Newcomers Bretton Racing are here with support from 2023 Michelin Le Mans Cup and Ligier European Series Champions Team Virage with a driver squad that includes MLMC Champion Julian Gerbi and Ligier European Series Champion Mihnea Stefan.
