Ligier JS P3
Designer(s)Nicolas Clémençon
SuccessorLigier JS P320
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon Monocoque
Suspension (front)Double Wishbone
Suspension (rear)As Front
Length4605mm
Width1900mm
Wheelbase2860mm
EngineNissan VK50DE V8 5.0L
Transmission6-speed sequential gearbox XTrac 1152
FuelVarious
LubricantsVarious
Brakes6 Piston Brembo 14in Steel Disks
TyresDunlop, Michelin, Pirelli, Continental, Giti
Competition history
Notable entrantsUnited States United Autosports
France OAK Racing
France GRAFF Racing
United States Tequila Patron ESM
Debut2015 4 Hours of Estoril
RacesWinsTitles
2421802016-2018 European Le Mans Series (LMP3)
Teams' Championships7 (2016-2018 European Le Mans Series, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018 Asian Le Mans Series, 2019 Ultimate Cup Series Proto)
Drivers' Championships10 (2016-2018 European Le Mans Series, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017 GT & Prototype Challenge, 2017 British LMP3 Cup, 2017-2018 Asian Le Mans Series, 2019 Ultimate Cup Series Proto, 2023 Masters Endurance Legends Prototype)

The Ligier JS P3 is an LMP3 Le Mans Prototype. It was created by Onroak Automotive, and named in partnership with former French driver Guy Ligier. It was built to meet ACO LMP3 standards, and is active in various LMP3 championships worldwide, such as the European Le Mans Series, IMSA Prototype Challenge, and the Asian Le Mans Series. The car has proven to be immensely popular in the category, with over 100 cars being produced since 2015.[1] It has also proved to be one of the most successful prototypes in the class, with a total of 103 overall wins and class victories from 132 races entered by the car.[2] It is set to be succeeded in 2020, by the Ligier JS P320, when new LMP3 regulations are set to come into place.[3]

Development

In 2014, the ACO announced a new category of Le Mans Prototypes, known as LMP3, which would replace the previous Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) class in 2015.[4] The number of constructors was limited in the class, with licenses being issued to 6 manufacturers, namely ADESS, Ligier (Onroak Automotive), Ave/Riley, Norma, Dome, as well as Ginetta. Nissan was later announced to be supplying the spec engine, the VK50VE producing 420 hp. The car was launched on 2 February 2015.[5] It was designed primarily in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using Exa Corporation's PowerFLOW Simulation Software.[6]

Compared to its rivals in the LMP3 class, it has been known to have a lower top speed through speed traps, but is known have an advantage in the corners.[7][8]

Competition history

2015

On its debut at the 2015 4 Hours of Estoril, the car finished well, scoring a podium finish at the hands of Graff Racing.[9]

2016

United Autosports clinched the LMP3 Teams championship with the car,[10] while in the V de V Endurance Series, Inter Europol Competition clinched the LMP3 teams championship.[11]

References

  1. ^ "LMP3 News Notebook: VdeV, 6H di Roma, Ligier's 100th JS P3 – dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
  2. ^ "Ligier JS P3 - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  3. ^ "4H Le Castellet: Friday Paddock Notes – dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  4. ^ "LMP3 officially launched - Racecar Engineering". Racecar Engineering. 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2018-12-03.
  5. ^ "Onroak Launch Ligier JS P3, Available In September – dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2018-12-03.
  6. ^ Rus, Tudor (2015-06-12). "Meet Ligier JS P3, the LMP3 Le Mans Prototype With Fatigue-Reducing Cockpit". autoevolution. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  7. ^ "Comparing the Norma M30 and the Ligier JS P3". lemanscup.com. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  8. ^ Ben (2017-10-31). "Data Analysis – Prototype Challenge". Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  9. ^ "Course 4 Hours of Estoril 2015 race | European Le Mans Series". www.europeanlemansseries.com. Retrieved 2018-12-03.
  10. ^ "ELMS 2016 LMP3 Teams Championship" (PDF).
  11. ^ "Ligier JS P3 endurance racing car information, technical spec - Ligier UK". www.ligieruk.com. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
Categories