For the first time in three years, there were multiple manufacturers competing against each other in the LMP2 class at the recent Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. While most teams continued to use the Oreca chassis, one team decided to reintroduce the Ligier JS P217 to the competition. This brought back manufacturer diversity to LMP2.
The 2024 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona featured a large number of sports cars and prototypes, with 59 entries and over 200 drivers vying for victory. The event drew a record-setting crowd and provided exciting racing throughout the endurance event.
In 2021, each of the four classes of cars included chassis from multiple manufacturers. The factory-led efforts dominated the speed-topping GTP class, while LMP2 saw the Ligier JS P217 chassis from Sean Creech Motorsport competing against the established Oreca 07.
Sean Creech Motorsport had been competing in the LMP3 class since 2018, using the Ligier chassis. However, when LMP3 was removed from IMSA’s top-tier lineup, the team had to make a decision for the future. After considering various options, they chose to move up to LMP2.
The decision to switch to LMP2 was made over a year ago. Lance Willsey, the team’s spokesperson, explained, “We had to make a decision as a team, ‘Do we want to stay in WeatherTech, or do something else? And if we stay in WeatherTech, do we want to stay in prototypes or go to GT cars?’ I had raced in the GT field years ago for many, many years. But I enjoy the prototype class a little more. Making that decision, it became fairly easy that LMP2 was the option for us.”
When considering their options for an LMP2 chassis, the team looked beyond the popular Oreca chassis. They had previous experiences with Oreca engines in their LMP3 cars and were not entirely pleased with the support they received. Instead, they decided to strike a deal with Ligier, with whom they had a long-term relationship.
Willsey explained, “The easy thing to do is to be like every other team in the world, grab an Oreca chassis, and go racing. But I wasn’t entirely pleased with the support we received from Oreca with the LMP3 engines. So I spoke to them about the P217, then set out to talk to as many teams and individuals I could find who had experience with the car back in the 2017-2018 era.”
The team faced challenges in acquiring enough parts to be ready for the Rolex 24. The Ligier JS P217 chassis had not been used in IMSA since 2021, and spare parts were limited. However, with the help of Ligier, they were able to secure the necessary parts and ensure they were prepared for the race.
The Ligier chassis had not been run in IMSA for several years, and the team had to rebuild the program from scratch. They had limited testing time to familiarize themselves with the car and make necessary adjustments. However, they remained competitive and optimistic about their chances.
Despite the lack of testing and development, the team was able to qualify and compete in the Rolex 24. They faced challenges during the race, including an electrical issue and a blown engine cover, but they showed reliability and finished ninth in class.
While the team exceeded some expectations, their ultimate goal is to win races. Willsey emphasized that winning is the only goal and anything less would be a disappointment. They believe in the potential of the Ligier chassis and are determined to achieve success.
