We’ve already printed on these pages that Onroak talk of eight sales for their new JS P217 and that total seems to be pretty firm.
Panis Barthez have confirmed a purchase (a second rumoured car now apparently less likely) and ESM has now announced its 2017 exit from the FIA WEC with a pair of Nissan GT-R GT3 engined DPis for the full IMSA season in 2017 based on the JS P217.
In addition DSC believes that IDEC Sport (one), and RGR Sport (two) are also on the customer list with other ELMS outfits, and at least one IMSA team, close to a decision with a shortlist including the new Ligier.
We believe that means that the FIA WEC, ELMS and IMSA will all feature at least two new Ligiers apiece on their grids.
Others are certainly very possible and Principals from Onroak have been very busy in the ELMS, WEC and IMSA paddocks in recent weeks and months.
The planned Val de Vienne shakedown for the JS P217 was postponed and the car will now run for the first time at Magny Cours in the days before the Spa ELMS race meeting – (where it will be launched publicly).
With Ligier’s LMP3 spec JS P3 a smash hit, the 50th car is due for delivery imminently, a rejuvenated LMP2 production line means busy times for the Onroak Automotive concern, now with a rebranded parent company, EVERSPEED Motorsport which includes Onroak Automotive, Mygale, AOTech, OAK Racing, Marcassus Sport and Les Deux Arbres.
Beyond the ESM Nissan programme, it was perhaps interesting to see Jaques and Pierre Nicolet in the front row for the Press Conference announcing that their soon to be ex customer, Michael Shank, is to move to GTD in 2017 with the Acura NSX GT3 – Could Onroak be targeting a 2018 Acura factory DPi alongside the ESM customer Nissan effort?
