After an unprecedented nine consecutive world titles, Sébastien Loeb had nothing left to prove in the World Rally Championship, so he started looking for new challenges and has been finding them everywhere. He won a gold medal in the Rallycross competition at the X Games in 2012, has taken two wins already in his first season in the World Touring Car Championship, and he's been putting up one heck of a fight in a variety of sports racing series from the FIA GT Series to the Porsche Supercup and even Le Mans. But now he and his team are embarking on a new challenge as a constructor.
For next season, Sébastien Loeb Racing is teaming up with veteran chassis constructors ADESS AG and SORA Racing to form LAS Motorsport, which will together launch its own prototype chassis to field in the new LMP3 class in the European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series. The as-yet-unnamed chassis will be powered by a 5.0-liter V8 sourced from Nissan producing 420 horsepower and mated to an Xtrac gearbox (just like the rest of the grid). Those more interested in buying one for private track days than for actual competition, though, will be able to spec their Challenge version with a 500-horsepower engine.
The division of labor between the partners appears to be fairly well defined: Adess will handle the design and homologation, Sora the composite construction, and Loeb's outfit the development and assembly. Loeb himself, however, is not expected to field one of these prototypes in the actual series.
For next season, Sébastien Loeb Racing is teaming up with veteran chassis constructors ADESS AG and SORA Racing to form LAS Motorsport, which will together launch its own prototype chassis to field in the new LMP3 class in the European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series. The as-yet-unnamed chassis will be powered by a 5.0-liter V8 sourced from Nissan producing 420 horsepower and mated to an Xtrac gearbox (just like the rest of the grid). Those more interested in buying one for private track days than for actual competition, though, will be able to spec their Challenge version with a 500-horsepower engine.
The division of labor between the partners appears to be fairly well defined: Adess will handle the design and homologation, Sora the composite construction, and Loeb's outfit the development and assembly. Loeb himself, however, is not expected to field one of these prototypes in the actual series.
ADESS AG, Sébastien LOEB Racing and SORA Racing unite their forces to create LAS|Motorsport. The new entity launches the sale of a new sports car for 2015.
The car will hit the track in the coming weeks for its first tests. It will feature a full safety closed-top, true 2 seats and will be available in two versions: an ACO regulation's LMP3 version with a 420hp Nissan engine and a LMP "Challenge" version with a 500hp engine. The sports car aims to provide teams with a low-cost, turn-key and easy to drive prototype. The LMP3 version will be eligible for European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and Asian Le Mans Series (AsLMS). The series that offer the best opportunity to prepare for Le Mans 24 hours in the superior category.
The "Challenge" Sports Car will be offered to track day enthusiasts who would like to have a first taste of Le Mans Prototypes competition and will feature the same carbon monocoque and safety requirements as the LMP3 racecar but will be proposed with various extremely cost effective powertrain combinations. It will be eligible in various racing series such as VdeV Endurance Series, Open Sports Car Series or the DMSB Sports car Challenge.
An association of competences...
The goal of this joint venture is to benefit of the best know-how in every domain:
ADESS AG, well known F1 and LMP design office, is in charge of the car design and homologation. SORA Racing, manufacturer of the Pescarolo Le Mans Race Car, which is used at the 24 hours of Le Mans driving school since 2009, will be responsible for the composite´s production and the RTM chassis.
The Sébastien LOEB Racing Team is a well-established reference in LMP2, in various GT series and in Porsche Cup, and will be in charge of the car development and assembly.
A wide range of technical support tailored to the customer´s needs will be offered throughout the whole season.
Stéphane Chosse, CEO ADESS AG : "I am delighted with this new joint venture with Sébastien LOEB Racing and SORA Racing. We will combine our passion and expertise to provide teams with an innovative and affordable Le Mans Prototype. I´m looking forward to see the LMP3 and "Challenge" Sports Cars running on track."
Jean-Philippe Perrier, Project Manager Sora Racing : ''When we started this project 6 years ago, we had the hope that our products one day will race in an international series. It's the case now! We are proud to announce this joint venture that proposes an interesting combination of skills to deliver the best service and car to our future customers. We open a new chapter for our motorsport activity, which is definitely the most exciting."
Dominique Heintz, Team Principal Sébastien LOEB Racing: "We are very happy with the reactions of the drivers to whom we presented the car beforehand. This new Le Mans Prototype is a perfect fit for gentlemen drivers and young talents of tomorrow."
Prototype available in LMP3 version and "Challenge" version ready to race.
The car will hit the track in the coming weeks for its first tests. It will feature a full safety closed-top, true 2 seats and will be available in two versions: an ACO regulation's LMP3 version with a 420hp Nissan engine and a LMP "Challenge" version with a 500hp engine. The sports car aims to provide teams with a low-cost, turn-key and easy to drive prototype. The LMP3 version will be eligible for European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and Asian Le Mans Series (AsLMS). The series that offer the best opportunity to prepare for Le Mans 24 hours in the superior category.
The "Challenge" Sports Car will be offered to track day enthusiasts who would like to have a first taste of Le Mans Prototypes competition and will feature the same carbon monocoque and safety requirements as the LMP3 racecar but will be proposed with various extremely cost effective powertrain combinations. It will be eligible in various racing series such as VdeV Endurance Series, Open Sports Car Series or the DMSB Sports car Challenge.
An association of competences...
The goal of this joint venture is to benefit of the best know-how in every domain:
ADESS AG, well known F1 and LMP design office, is in charge of the car design and homologation. SORA Racing, manufacturer of the Pescarolo Le Mans Race Car, which is used at the 24 hours of Le Mans driving school since 2009, will be responsible for the composite´s production and the RTM chassis.
The Sébastien LOEB Racing Team is a well-established reference in LMP2, in various GT series and in Porsche Cup, and will be in charge of the car development and assembly.
A wide range of technical support tailored to the customer´s needs will be offered throughout the whole season.
Stéphane Chosse, CEO ADESS AG : "I am delighted with this new joint venture with Sébastien LOEB Racing and SORA Racing. We will combine our passion and expertise to provide teams with an innovative and affordable Le Mans Prototype. I´m looking forward to see the LMP3 and "Challenge" Sports Cars running on track."
Jean-Philippe Perrier, Project Manager Sora Racing : ''When we started this project 6 years ago, we had the hope that our products one day will race in an international series. It's the case now! We are proud to announce this joint venture that proposes an interesting combination of skills to deliver the best service and car to our future customers. We open a new chapter for our motorsport activity, which is definitely the most exciting."
Dominique Heintz, Team Principal Sébastien LOEB Racing: "We are very happy with the reactions of the drivers to whom we presented the car beforehand. This new Le Mans Prototype is a perfect fit for gentlemen drivers and young talents of tomorrow."
Prototype available in LMP3 version and "Challenge" version ready to race.
Featured Gallery LAS Motorsport LMP3
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