Italian sportscar outfit Villorba Corse has confirmed the purchase of a Dallara LMP2 chassis ahead of its 2017 European Le Mans Series campaign.
The move is hugely significant for the team’s “Road to Le Mans” project that was formed back in 2015. Having an LMP2 chassis in the ELMS means Villorba Corse is on track to make its debut at the French enduro in 2018.
The first named driver for next year is Roberto Lacorte, who currently pilots the team’s Ligier JSP3-Nissan in the ELMS LMP3 category.
“This year we are able to confirm our 2017 racing programme earlier than usual,” said Lacorte. “We are pleased to announce our ELMS effort with the debuting Dallara LMP2 car. The main goal remains a future participation in the Le Mans 24 Hours with a very well prepared team based on the values of Italian excellence.”
“Enthusiasm, passion, tradition and Italian high technology are the main features of our project and, personally, this new challenge is incredibly exciting.”
Founded in Treviso in 1992, Villorba Corse has emerged from national GT racing to the top European and international competitions. In 2016, the team is running a Ferrari in the GT3 Le Mans Cup and a Maserati in the GT4 European Series, alongside its LMP3 effort.
Next year’s programme will be closely monitored by Dallara, which is providing technical support to customers of its new car. The Italian manufacturer is one of four companies chosen to produce a cost-effective 2017-spec LMP2 chassis, with Onroak (Ligier), ORECA and Riley-Multimatic also in the market.
“Entering LMP2 is a historical moment for our team,” added team principal Raimondo Amadio. “We have chased and admired this project for years. It totally confirms Villorba Corse’s international and professional reputation.”
“Preparing for this will require an enormous effort. We are proud to work side by side with Dallara and we will make sure that future programmes will be perfectly up to the names involved. The next target will be the 24 Hours of Le Mans; it is s dream coming true for all of us.”
Villorba Corse has estimated that the new chassis will be delivered by the end of this year.
