IMSA Prototype Challenge: The Ligier JS P320 scores victory and a double podium at Daytona
22nd January 2022 – The 2021 Champion Ligier JS P320 is off to a flying start in its second season of the American LMP3 championship, the IMSA Prototype Challenge. In the opening round at Daytona in the ROAR, it clinched first and second places on the podium thanks to the #60 run by Wulver Racing and #77 entered by US RaceTronics making its debut in the series. The #14 Sean Creech Motorsport Ligier JS P320 set the fastest lap in the race.
This year, 12 Ligier JS P320s took part in the opening round of the IMSA Prototype Challenge, the ROAR Before Daytona run before the Rolex 24. Among the entries were several championship regulars, MLT Motorsports, Performance Tech Motorsport, Sean Creech Motorsport (present in 2021 with an old-generation Ligier LMP3), Jr III Racing and Wulver Racing as well as some newcomers, D MOTORSPORTS, Ave Motorsports, Ophanim Motorsports and US RaceTronics.
The 2021 champion, the #54 MLT Motorsports Ligier JS P320 driven by Dakota Dickerson and Josh Sarchet, topped the time sheets in the first free practice session with a best lap in 1:43.310s.
Changeable weather at Daytona
The three-hour event started at 12:05 local time on 22nd January in cold weather with light rain falling on the Daytona circuit so all the ingredients were in place for an exciting race. And it was the case on lap one. The #54 Ligier JS P320 tried to grab the lead and ended up in the wall in the first corner. It suffered fairly severe consequences as its bodywork and rear wing were badly damaged. But the team didn't give up. Although the car was delayed it finally crossed the finishing line in 12th place.
Victory for Wulver Racing's duo of Bronze drivers
The #60 Wulver Racing Ligier JS P320 in the hands of two Bronze drivers, Bruce Hamilton and Tonis Kasemets, put on a very impressive performance. The#60 took the lead second time round and held it for around 30 laps. In the middle of the race, it fell back a little before putting on a final charge on lap 76 when it retook the lead and saw the chequered flag in first place, almost four seconds in front of its nearest pursuer.
“Bruce did a hell of a job in his stint like we asked,” Kasemets said. “It was phenomenal. The car was hooked up, the team was unbelievable. We never gave up, we did some bold strategy, completely outside of the box this week. We took care of our things; we didn't care what anybody else did. It paid off.”
“In that middle stint,” Hamilton said, “my job was to make sure I brought it home and gave him something to finish with. I did and it worked. I'm still in shock, I don't know what to say. Daytona is a fantastic place!” he added.
Second place for the #77 Ligier JS P320
The #77 US RaceTronics Ligier JS P320 driven by Brian Thienes and Patrick Kujala, which qualified in 12th place, scored a fantastic result in its first race in the championship. It weaved its way past its rivals and grabbed third place before going pedal to the metal in the last 20 minutes to clinch second spot, giving the French constructor a great double.
Fastest lap in the race set by the #14 entered by Sean Creech Motorsport
The #3 Jr III Racing Ligier JS P320 crewed by Courtney Crone and Terry Olson came home fifth followed the #14 Ligier JS P320 run by Sean Creech Motorsport driven by Lance Willsey and Sebastian Priaulx. The latter set the fastest lap in the race in a time of 1:44.238s.
The crew in the Ligier JS P320 #4 entered by Crowdstrike Racing by D Motorsports comprising George Kurtz and Jon Bennett made a big impression in their first race in the IMSA Prototype Challenge. In the opening stint, Kurtz fought his way up to third place. With 1h40m of the race remaining and the track starting to dry out several teams opted to stop and shod slicks. The #4 took advantage of this to go into the lead. Kurtz still on wet weather tyres gave nothing away, but he was reeled in by his rivals. The #4 crossed the finishing line in seventh place, which became ninth after a penalty for not respecting the driving time rules.
The second IMSA Prototype Challenge meeting will be held between 13 - 15 May on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
For the race results, CLICK HERE.