VP Racing SportsCar Challenge: Forte Racing and Toney Driver Development deliver a double podium for Ligier at Motul Petit Le Mans.
The 2025 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge season ended on October 10–11 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, as part of the prestigious Motul Petit Le Mans weekend. For this final round, the teams running Ligier JS P320s delivered a strong performance, ending their 2025 campaign on a high note with several podium finishes and impressive pace on track.
Race 1: Third place for Toney Driver Development
The first race, held on Friday afternoon, was particularly intense with several battles in traffic. Starting from fourth on the grid, Lucas Fecury, making his debut in the championship at the wheel of the #80 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P320, quickly found his rhythm. Consistent and composed throughout the 28-lap race, he climbed into the top three and crossed the finish line in third place.
Behind him, Brian Thienes (#77 Ligier JS P320 – Forte Racing) delivered a steady and solid drive to finish fourth, followed by his teammate Jon Hirshberg (#86 Ligier JS P320 – Forte Racing) in fifth.
Race 2: Double podium for the Ligier JS P320s with Toney Driver Development and Forte Racing
Despite a lively start on Saturday for the final race of the season and a late-race caution period, Lucas Fecury maintained a strong pace throughout the 34 laps. He secured a well-deserved second place at the wheel of the #80 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P320. An impressive result for the young Brazilian driver in his first appearance in the championship.
Brian Thienes, this time driving the #77 Forte Racing Ligier JS P320, joined him on the podium in third place, sealing a double podium finish for Ligier in the final race of the year.
End-of-season standings
At the end of the 2025 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge season, several drivers and teams competing in Ligier JS P320s stood out in the overall rankings.
In the LMP3 Drivers' standings, Brian Thienes (Forte Racing) finished as vice-champion with 3,520 points, after a consistent and competitive season. Matthew Dicken (RAFA Racing) secured third place with 2,580 points, while Jon Hirshberg (Forte Racing) completed the top five with 1,560 points.
On the Teams' side, Forte Racing ended the season second in the championship with 3,520 points, while RAFA Racing finished fourth with 3,230 points, highlighting the team's steady progress throughout the year. Three more Ligier teams, Forte Racing, MLT Motorsports, and Toney Driver Development also finished in the top ten, underlining the strong presence of Ligier machinery across the grid.
In the Bronze standings, Brian Thienes claimed the title with 4,170 points, ahead of Matthew Dicken with 3,000 points, and Jon Hirshberg with 1,880 points, completing a full Ligier top three in the class.
Looking ahead to 2026
The 2026 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge season will kick off at the legendary Daytona International Speedway during the Roar Before The Rolex 24, from January 16 to 18. The Ligier JS P325, the French manufacturer's third-generation LMP3 introduced in Europe in 2025, will make its debut in the championship alongside the Ligier JS P320, which remains eligible for another season. With four endurance races now included in the 2026 calendar (read the article HERE), the upcoming season promises to be both exciting and intense.
CLICK HERE for the full results and HERE for the championship standings.
CLICK HERE to find out more about the Ligier JS P320.
CLICK HERE to find out more about the Ligier JS P325, the third generation Ligier LMP3
DISCOVER HERE the anniversary limited edition Ligier JS P3X, celebrating 10 years of LMP3 at Ligier Automotive.
Find out more about the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit : Michael Stahlschmidt