Randle set for Inaugural Prototype Cup

by admin | Sep 24, 2016 | LMP3, News

Thomas Randle

Set for Prototype Cup

Randle to Pilot LMP3

Hot on the heels of the announcement that Douglas Motorsport will be running in the inaugural Prototype Cup, we are pleased to announce that Thomas Randle will partner Mike Newbould in the Ligier JS P3 LMP3 car at Snetterton on 8th and 9th of October.

Successful 2016 Season

Thomas Randle enjoyed a successful debut season with Douglas Motorsport, finishing 4th overall in the British F3 championship. One of the highlights of the season was Randle’s win at Spa-Francorchamps when he came from 9th on the grid to take the lead on the final lap and win the race. His win consisted of an impressive multiple overtake and bump draft maneouvre through Eau-Rouge.

The Douglas Motorsport expansion into LMP3 and the Prototype Cup confirms the team as leaders in driver development. We are already successful in Ginetta Junior, Ginetta GT4 and British F3, and the move into LMP3 adds another level of progression for young drivers within the team. LMP3 is a suitable next step for drivers who come through the various Ginetta series and also for drivers coming from single seater series. It marks an exciting new phase for the team.

Douglas Motorsport move to new British Prototype Series for 2017

by admin | Sep 23, 2016 | LMP3, News

Douglas Motorsport today announced that they will move up to the new British Prototype Cup in 2017. Afterenjoying success in Ginetta Junior, Ginetta Supercup and British F3 in 2016 Douglas Motorsport have now purchased a Ligier JS P3 LMP3 car.

The team’s Ginetta GT4 Supercup driver Mike Newbould has been confirmed as their first driver for the new series and will test the Douglas Motorsport Ligier at the Snetterton on October 3/4 just before the first race of the series.

Wayne Douglas, Team Owner, Douglas Motorsport:
“We are going in a bit of a different direction with the Prototype Cup, but I think it’s going to be a great direction for the team. We have watched the progress of LMP3 teams recently, and with the introduction of the Prototype Cup and a full season series for 2017, decided it was the right time to purchase a Ligier JS P3. Mike tested the car at a recent United Autosports test day and loved it. We have a number of drivers who want to get involved and, ideally, we would like to run a second car in this series next year. It’s an exciting new path we are taking, with added pressure and new challenges, but we are sure we can add to our success in Ginetta and BRDC F3.”

About LMP3

In the pyramid of “Le Mans Prototypes”, LMP3 is now the first step on the ladder before moving up to the LMP2 and LMP1 classes (the latter in the FIA WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans).

The LMP3 can be built by five manufacturers which have been designed by the ACO : Ginetta, Ligier, Adess, Dome and Riley. They are very close to those of the current LMP2 (closed cockpit, carbon chassis with tubular steel roll cage). The powertrain consists of a Nissan 420 bhp V8 engine, and an X-Trac gearbox. It is identical for all chassis, and marketed by the ORECA company which also provides specific assistance to teams