On February 5, ACO should announce the entry of several new LMP2 and LMP3 teams in the ELMS Championship. Amongst these is So24 ! by Lombard Racing.
The Lombard name is by no means an unknown in the endurance world. First, there was Jean Lombard (also known as Jean Messaoudi), who raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Jean is also the former owner of the French Formula Ford team that produced Le Mans winners Christophe Bouchut and Eric Helary. Then, there’s his son Olivier Lombard, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans winner in the LMP2 category.
Last fall, the Lombard family and Dominique Payen (head of So 24!, the association in charge of promoting businesses and drivers from La Sarthe) united to create this new endurance team. The French team will enter a Ligier JSP2 in the LMP2 category and a Ligier JSP3 in the LMP3 category of the ELMS. The team is also seeking an invitation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
DSC talked to Olivier Lombard and assessed the progress of this project:
Olivier, let’s start by talking about what’s been going on since you announced its launch last November?
“Well, let’s not forget that we are starting from a blank sheet of paper here. Fortunately, my father knows a lot of skilled people in the motorsport industry. So we have been staffing ourselves progressively. We aim to have just under twenty people handling our two Ligiers.”
What led you to select the Ligiers ?
“We’ve known Jacques Nicollet’s team for a while and we know how good his cars are. We really wanted to leverage this partnership with Jacques, so we based our team in Mulsanne, a few miles away from the Onroak factory.”
Have you tested your cars yet? When will we see them in public for the first time?
“Both cars are brand new, and they should be delivered to us by the end of February. Their shakedowns should logically occur on the nearby Bugatti circuit in early March. Then, we’ll undertake several test sessions, including the ELMS Prologue at the Paul Ricard.
How comfortable are you with getting an invitation from the ACO for the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans?
“Let’s just say we are anxiously awaiting the ACO’S decision! We really hope we can secure that invitation, but not getting it won’t stop us from having a full ELMS season with our two cars.”
So far you’ve confirmed two French drivers, Vincent Capillaire and Thomas Dagonneaud. Are any more drivers from your native country expected?
“No, we don’t have a preference for a specific nationality. I will be driving the Ligier JSP2 alongside Vincent Capillaire. We are both Silver drivers. The third driver will be Gold or Platinum rated. His nationality does not matter at all as long as he’s fast!”
You have not driven an LMP2 prototype since 2013. What are your hopes for this season?
“Yes, the last time I drove one was at Le Mans some two and a half years ago. P2 Prototypes have really evolved since then, but I’ll take things as they come, no pressure. Our golden rule in the team this year will be to learn and avoid making any mistakes.
“Races are going to be complex, with trafic gaining in density. I really wonder how GTs will coexist with LMP3 cars. If we stay out of trouble, then we should be well positioned.”
Mat Fernandez (@matlemans)
