Less than two weeks before test day, Oak Racing has opted to equip its two Morgan LM P2 with engines of different manufacturers. This change means Nissan is now powering 14 entries!

"Do not put all your eggs in one basket" is a proven strategy at Le Mans. It is in evidence this year, where two Audi R18 "classic" and two R18 "hybrid"are entered. Morgan, represented by Oak Racing, have applied the precautionary principle by equipping its two LM P2 cars with engines of different manufacturers. The #24 (Nicolet-Lahaye-Pla) remains faithful to the V8 Judd HK, but the #35 (Leinders-Martin-Heinemeier Hansson) is newly equipped with a Nissan VK 45 V8

Note that it is not a new configuration since the Conquest Endurance team has raced a Morgan Nissan in the American Le Mans Series since Long Beach.

This late announcement strengthens the presence of Nissan in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Japanese automaker, that powered the victorious Zytek in LM P2 last year, now equips 13 of the 20 LM P2 prototypes: 7 Oreca 3 Zytek, Lola 2 and a Morgan. We should also add the innovative DeltaWing that is powered by a Nissan engine.

Jacques Nicolet, OAK Racing Team Owner: “We have taken this decision as both a manufacturer and racing team. It represents an ideal opportunity to fully understand the car’s performance equipped with both Judd and Nissan engines during the same race conditions throughout the World Endurance Championship’s greatest challenge.

 

 

Julien Hergault

Photo 1 : CIRCUIT OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (BELGIUM), 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS WEC, 3rd MAY 2012. Bas Leinders (left) and David Heinemeier Hansson in front of their team.

Photo 2 : The Morgan-Nissan enterd in the ALMS by Conquest Endurance