FIA WEC

Tequila Patrón ESM Ligier breaks cover at Magny-Cours

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Tequila Patrón Extreme Speed Motorsports (ESM) has unveiled the Ligier JS P2 Honda that it will campaign in the remaining rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The American squad today completed a successful roll-out of the car at Magny-Cours in central France.

The ESM Ligier JS P2 is powered by the same V6 Honda engine that propelled the team’s HPD ARX-03b in the Tudor United Sportscar Championship last year, and at this season’s 6 Hours of Silverstone.

Both the #30 and #31 cars completed laps on a wet track, with regular team drivers Scott Sharp, Ed Brown, Johannes van Overbeek, Ryan Dalziel, Jon Fogarty and David Heinemeier Hansson all accruing valuable track time ahead of the car’s race debut at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps this weekend.

ESM Ligier JS P2

The two Ligiers completed a day of trouble-free running (Credit: Susan Pollack/ESM)

“It was cold and rainy in Magny-Cours today but that didn’t dampen Tequila Patrón ESM’s shakedown of our new Ligiers one bit!” said ESM team owner Scott Sharp, who had confirmed the car’s presence at Spa to TCF during the opening round of the FIA WEC. “The entire team is impressed with the build and finish on the Ligier. All of the drivers remarked how confidence-building, even in the wet, the car was! It’s a very refined and balanced piece. We can’t wait to take it to Spa this weekend!”

ESM announced the purchase of the two Ligiers after deciding to delay the homologation of its new-for-2015 HPD ARX-04b LMP2 coupe. It used the tried and tested HPD ARX-03b model at the recent 6 Hours of Silverstone, with the Ligiers set to complete the remainder of the eight race FIA WEC season. Sharp and Brown had previously tested a Ligier JS P2 at the pre-season Paul Ricard test in March.

ESM Ligier JS P2

Wet and windy conditions will prepare the team for Spa (Credit: Susan Pollack/ESM)

“The car was really good. All drivers had positive things to say today at Magny-Cours,” said Brown. “We drove in the rain all day so we really couldn’t do a whole lot with speed, but if a car is that good in the wet it will be good in dry conditions. We ended early so the guys can head to Belgium. We’re excited to see what the future holds with the Ligier, Honda and Tequila Patrón ESM.”

After finishing sixth in class at the opening round of the FIA WEC, ESM will be hoping to improve its result as the championship heads to Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday, May 2.

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