The team's new Ligier JS P2, a closed-cockpit prototype car, was designed and built by the French Onroak Automobile and will fit into the current ACO-FIA regulations, including IMSA and FIA WEC, until they are re-configured in 2017. The Krohn Racing Ligier will feature a Judd HK V8 LMP2 engine.
Team owner/driver Tracy W. Krohn will pilot the new Ligier JS P2 car, which the team has tested at Magny Cours circuit in France, along with an upcoming test scheduled after the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) race weekend at NOLA Motorsport Park, alongside his long-time teammate Nic Jönsson. Krohn and Swedish native Jönsson have raced as co-drivers since 2004 and have recorded over 100 races together in their 11 years sharing the cockpit.
In 2014, Krohn Racing has been competing in a limited schedule of the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, with the addition of two rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's (ACO) 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Six Hours of Austin at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The team's best finish of the year to date in their partial IMSA schedule was just one step off the podium, a fourth-place GT Le Mans (GTLM) class finish, in the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring in March. The team also finished in the Top-10 of GTE-Am competition at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this past June.
The previous two seasons, in 2012 and 2013, Krohn Racing entered their No. 57 Ferrari F458 in the FIA WEC for the full season World Endurance Championship and earned five podium finishes in the two seasons. The team, known for their popular bright green-and-blue livery, has been competing in the GTE-Am class on a global scale with the Ferrari since 2011 and at selected ALMS and Le Mans races in GTE-AM and GTLM since 2006. Prior to that, Krohn Racing regularly competed in the DP class of the former Grand-Am Series from 2006-2010.
"I'm very much looking forward to the possibilities that have opened up for next season," said Krohn Racing owner Tracy W. Krohn. "We had been discussing the switch from our Ferrari to a LMP2 car for some time and the decision was very much dependent on how the car felt when we went for a test. Both Nic and I had a chance to get behind the wheel of the Ligier and really liked driving it. The ergonomics work me, which has historically been difficult due to my frame. We were able to partner with Judd as our engine supplier and believe the Ligier-Judd pairing will offer a formidable entry, so the decision was made to move forward with the package for competition in 2015."
"Although competing in the P2 car will be a big step and transition for us, I'm confident that our team can get the new car up to speed," continued Krohn. "We will make a final decision about the series and races in which we chose to compete when all the schedules are announced later this year but expect to be racing in America and internationally. We're truly excited for the opportunities that we expect will come with being a prototype-contending team."
"I'm delighted that Krohn Racing has decided to run a Ligier JS P2 in 2015," said Jacques Nicolet, President of Onroak Automotive. "Tracy Krohn and I share the same view of motor racing and the same passion, so I'm proud that he has chosen our new sports prototype. It's the first Ligier JS P2 we've sold in the USA and I have high hopes for this collaboration. We'll do everything in our power so that Krohn Racing will be fully satisfied with their Onroak Automotive sports prototype."
"We are delighted that Krohn Racing has chosen the Judd HK LMP2 engine for its' new Ligier JS P2 race car for 2015 and beyond," said Stan Hall, General Manager, Judd Engines. "Our race win last weekend in the ELMS race at the Paul Ricard circuit, combined with a 100% finishing record at the Le Mans 24 Hour and race wins in Asia demonstrate just how competitive and reliable the engine is. We look forward to working with Tracy Krohn and the entire Krohn Racing team in their new venture and hope some of our experience and knowledge from years of racing and engine building will help add to the team's future successes."
"We at Krohn are very pleased to be using the Ligier JSP2 - Judd HK package for 2015," added Gary Holland, Team Manager, Krohn Racing. "The Ligier has already proven itself with a very strong debut at Le Mans with a variety of engine packages, as well as within ELMS races since. The LMP2 class is very strong and we feel that the Ligier offers Krohn Racing the best path with a proven chassis out of the box with many thousands of miles of testing under its belt. We are very much looking forward to getting the best from the pairing of the Ligier chassis and Judd engine and exploring an exciting new chapter for the team. Judd have had some excellent performances through 2014 and we firmly believe will offer us the best solution moving into the LMP2 field.
"We look forward to a close relationship with both manufacturers and a successful 2015. The move from the Ferrari 458 has been talked about for some time and it was a question of the right package being available, both in terms of performance and chassis ergonomics.
"We would like to thank everyone at Ferrari and Michelotto for their many years of support and hard work alongside Krohn Racing."