Full-season IMSA TUDOR Championship Prototype class effort with Honda-powered Ligier JS P2
Indianapolis, Ind. (12 December 2014) – Turning to the future, Michael Shank Racing will debut an all-new technical package for the 2015 IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, as the 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona championship squad has partnered with Honda Performance Development to power the team’s new Ligier JS P2 Prototype class entry.
Michael Shank Racing drivers Ozz Negri and John Pew will share the driving duties for the 10-round championship, and will debut the new package in the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona.
With over 230 Daytona Prototype starts to the team’s credit and over 32,000 laps completed, Michael Shank Racing has been competing in sportscar racing since 2004. The move to the Honda-powered Ligier platform will mark a significant new direction for the team, with several long term ambitions in mind.
“Moving to the Ligier JS P2 should not only be an asset for our TUDOR campaign this year, but it is also a step toward being in a position to compete at Le Mans in 2016,” said Shank. “This is a great package and has already proven itself, not only here in TUDOR, but also in the World Endurance Championship. This is a big move for our team, and I’m really excited about the future.”
The 2014 IMSA TUDOR Championship saw the team extend its record of podium results that stretches back to the team’s second start in Prototype competition, and the 2015 IMSA Championship is expected to once again feature a highly competitive landscape as the Columbus, Ohio-based team looks to return to its winning ways with the new package.
“We’re very much looking forward to our new partnership with Michael Shank Racing in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship,” said Allen Miller, prototype project leader for Honda Performance Development. “Michael Shank Racing has established itself as one of the premier teams in American endurance racing, and we believe their switch to an LMP2 chassis and Honda turbocharged V6 engine positions them well for 2015 and the seasons to come.”
The annual Roar Before the 24 test days at Daytona International Speedway kicks off the 2015 TUDOR Championship season on January 9-11, 2015. Michael Shank Racing will announce its expanded driver line-up for the longer endurance events in the coming weeks.
