In early November, American squad ESM announced that it would be back to compete in the 2016 World Endurance Championship with the Ligiers in the LM P2 class. Up until now, they have been operating from their UK base for the European stretch of the WEC season but thanks to this partnership with OAK Racing, their cars will be taken care of at the French firm’s shop, just a stone’s throw from the 24-Hour circuit.

 ESM competed with two Honda-powered HPD ARX-03b for the full 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, except at Petit Le Mans, which they passed on to give themselves time to set up for the Chinese leg of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship. They then started 2015 with two Honda-powered ARX-04b cars, but changed tactics mid-season. Reliability issues with the new car convinced team owner and driver Scott Sharp to switch to Onroak Automotive’s Ligiers, which they took delivery of before the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps last May.

Our relationship with OAK Racing has grown over this year, said Sharp. They have offered an unparalleled level of support including engineering assistance for the last few races of the FIA WEC. We are excited to announce we have increased our partnership for 2016. We will move our European base from the UK to Le Mans, compete with current race cars and equipment, benefit from both ESM and OAK Racing staff and rely heavier on OAK Racing’s expertise!

Both cars crossed the finish line at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours and again at Nürburgring and Fuji, but they have yet to make the podium. They’ll no doubt be aiming to change that at the final leg of the championship in Bahrain this weekend.

Cécile Bonardel / ACO (quote courtesy of ESM press release) | Translation by Clair Pickworth

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2015, FREE PRACTICE SESSION. The Ligier JS P2 will be back at Le Mans sooner than expected following a move from the UK for the European WEC campaign.