Krohn Closing in on LMP2 Decision
The Houston-based squad, which currently fields a Ferrari F458 Italia GTE car in select rounds of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, as well as being a late entry in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, is preparing for a move up to the prototype ranks.
Team owner Tracy Krohn and longtime co-driver and mentor Nic Jonsson recently completed a successful test of the Ligier JS P2 HPD at Magny-Cours, with other LMP2 chassis options currently being considered, including the new HPD ARX-04b.
"We're looking at the different packages to see what will be more suitable," Jonsson told Sportscar365. "I think it's starting to get narrowed down.
"We really enjoyed the Ligier car when we tested it. I think it's a great car and it has a lot of room for Tracy. That's a big factor in his decision-making, from a comfort standpoint.
"That chassis looks very good and they're also eight months ahead on the development curve. I have no doubt HPD will build a very good car but any way you look at it, [the HPD] is still going to be [nearly] a season behind on development."
Jonsson expects the team to finalize its chassis and engine choice shortly.
"I think a decision will be made in the next two to four weeks on which direction we're heading," he said. "I'd be surprised if we're not going LMP2 racing. It's just a matter of what combination of chassis and engine."
The team has also yet to finalize its 2015 schedule, although Jonsson expects to again take part in the enduros at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans as well as a potential season-long effort in the European Le Mans Series, where the Pro-Am enforced LMP2 cars battle for the overall win.
"If you look at the rules, the ELMS looks to be the best for Pro-Am. That's why I'm thinking the ELMS may be the most suitable for us," Jonsson said.
Select FIA World Endurance Championship rounds is also a possibility if the team does not commit to a full-season effort in the ELMS. sportscar365