Carlin launches first sportscar programme with ELMS LMP2 entry
Top single-seater team Carlin will expand into the sportscar ranks for the first time this season
The British squad has entered the six-race European Le Mans Series with an LMP2 class Dallara-Gibson P217 and has also said that it is planning an assault on the Asian Le Mans Series next winter.
Twenty-year-old Jack Manchester, who is moving over from the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, is the first confirmed driver for the car in the ELMS.
There seems to be a car in the workshop with a roof and doors?! ? pic.twitter.com/FrtCWUzDcW
— Carlin (@CarlinRacing) February 12, 2019
Team boss Trevor Carlin explained that he had been evaluating a move into LMP2 for some time.
"We see a lot of great drivers now move up the single-seater ranks and aim for professional drives in endurance racing rather than Formula 1, which shows the high respect this category of racing is held," he said.
"For us, it's another opportunity to hold onto and work with some great former Carlin drivers who are now at the professional level."
Carlin said maintaining a relationship with Dallara that has covered Formula 3, GP2/Formula 2, Indy Lights and IndyCar made the P217 the "obvious route" for the team on its move into the prototype arena.
It is also understood that six-foot-six Manchester was more comfortable in the P217 than in the other LMP2 cars in which he had exploratory seat fittings.
Carlin described Manchester, who has previously tested a Formula Renault 3.5 single-seater for the team, as a "promising young British driver" and that the team was "excited to help him show his potential in LMP2".
Further drivers alongside silver-rated Manchester should be announced before the end of the month.
Carlin has entered the only Dallara on the 18-strong LMP2 entry list this year, joining 11 ORECA 07s and seven Ligier JSP217s.
A capacity 41-car field has been announced for the series, which kicks off at Paul Ricard on April 14.
The entry is completed by 14 cars in LMP3 and nine in GTE.
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