Ginetta is ready to test its 2025-spec G61-LT-P3 Evo LMP3 on track, after receiving its first brand new Toyota-based twin-turbo V6 engine from ORECA.
The Yorkshire-based motorsport manufacturer is primed to relaunch its LMP3 programme for 2025, when the new-look LMP3 cars debut with the Toyota-based V6 in the ELMS, Le Mans Cup and Asian Le Mans Series (2025/26).
The new engine replaces the Nissan VK56 normally aspirated V8 which has been in circulation since 2020. As part of the transition to the new engine, the four LMP3 manufacturers (Ligier, Duqueine, Ginetta and Adess) have been handed the chance to re-homologate their chassis with an updated aero and cooling package to accommodate the new unit.
Speaking with DSC, Ginetta’s motorsport director Mike Simpson reiterated that Ginetta remains on target to offer customer cars for competition in ACO-sanctioned championships next year.
“We received the engine some weeks ago and the technical team have done a fantastic job with the installation. ORECA came straight after the Le Mans 24 hours to fire up the engine, and we plan to start track testing imminently when ORECA are ready,” he said.
Ginetta’s renewed commitment to the formula will see it build up an initial batch of seven chassis for the 2025 season. Four of them are set to be delivered to two teams which are close to confirming plans to run two cars apiece next year.
Of those seven in the first batch, one will be kept in-house as a test and development chassis, three will be upgraded G61-LT-P3s and three will be new builds.
“We’ve ordered seven engines. We are close on two teams of two,” explained Simpson. “Our maximum capacity next year next year will be three teams with two cars each, that’s what we’d love to come back to the market with.
“Homologation is soon and everyone is chomping at the bit to get the engines so we can finish off getting cars built.
“We want to be in the ELMS and or the Le Mans Cup, subject to having entries accepted. Commercially there’s still a lot to understand and it’s a big technical exercise at the moment because the engine is so different.
“The pressure is on us to get on track, get laps and miles under our belt so we can come back to the market with an advantage.”
Track testing is set to run through the summer ahead of the car’s final homologation at the end of August. In addition to utilising its private test track (Blyton Park), Ginetta plans to take the new car to a variety of circuits in continental Europe.
“We’re right there with the design, we now want to get running in a hot climate as soon as possible,” Simpson added.
“Nico Prost and CMR did a lot of winter testing with developments, but we want to get an idea now of heat rejection from the engine, and air intake temps. We want to understand the beast a bit more as to this point all we have are basic numbers from the ORECA bench dyno.
“So we will head out testing with the changes to the engine cover and other cooling modifications before we finalise the design and get the bodywork moulds changed.
“For us, this is a nice opportunity to come back. We want to be back with the right teams and partners in a low volume and do a really nice job.
“We’ve had various teams come and see what we are doing in the UK, we’ve met and spoken to others at Ultimate Cup events. It’s been good for us because it’s brought people our way to see our technical capabilities and we are pushing on.
“It’s my job to seek commitments to the teams and finalise programmes so we can get entries in.
“It’s an exciting project. Our phone lines are open if people want to come and see us or come and try the car.”
