Ligier introduces the 2025 JS P325 LMP3 and this week I have all the details. I also have more race car news on the new BMW M4 GT3 Evo and a track test of an ND-chassis Mazda MX-5 Cup Car. As usual I also have some great racecraft advice plus the history of Italian F4 and a look at Flatrock Motorsport Park. All this and more in this week’s edition of the Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup on Motorsport Prospects.
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
On-Track
Samir Abid of Your Data Driven looks at how to find the fastest racing line. “As a racing driver, you’ve undoubtedly heard discussions about “the fastest racing line.” During track walks, you might have invested significant effort in determining the best trajectory for each corner, seeking references and marker points to create a “dot to dot” of the line you believe is the best. But is it really the best line? What is the fastest racing line, and how can you find it?”
Off-Track
In the video above, Enzo Mucci chats with mind management coach Tracey Jones. “As you know I spend my life studying and teaching mental performance in motorsport and it’s so nice to talk with others who share that same passion and who go deep into their craft. Here Tracey talks about the mental aspects of motorsport and gives some great tips for how we can tap into more of our potential.”
Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets discusses the mental journey of a race driver. “Despite drivers knowing that the mental game is critical to their performance, most do next to nothing to improve it. Why? Primarily because they don’t know how. I’ve found that by giving drivers even a small taste of mental game training, they jump on it and make huge improvements. They just needed some direction and practical strategies and practice drills to make the difference.”
Race Car & Series Developments
Ligier has unveiled their 2025 JS P325 LMP3 during the festivities leading up to the 2024 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The JS P325 follows the original JS P3 from 2015 and the JS P320 that made its debut in 2020. It has been developed to accommodate the new-for-2025 twin-turbo V6 engine, which will replace the outgoing Nissan VK56 V8 at the end of the year.
The Ligier JS P320 will be replaced by this newcomer from 2025 in the European Le Mans Series, Michelin Le Mans Cup and Road To Le Mans. As with the Ligier JS P320 in its day, teams and drivers wishing to acquire the third-generation LMP3 from Ligier have two options. They can either acquire a new Ligier JS P325 or convert their Ligier JS P320 into a Ligier JS P325 with an upgrade kit, which can be installed directly by the teams.
For more information about the Ligier JS P325, download the brochure from the Ligier Automotive website or join them in Le Mans to discover the car from 9 to 15 June 2024.
To contact the sales department, send an email to sales@ligierautomotive.com.
In more new race car news, BMW have unveiled their M4 GT3 Evo recently at the Nurburgring. Highlights of the new race according to BMW are:
- GT3 racing car with the new BMW M design
- Optimised aerodynamics for more downforce
- New, weight-saving coating process
- Improved chassis components for reduced tire wear
- New LED headlights and tail lights
BMW motorsport boss Andreas Roos: “I am convinced that the EVO model of the BMW M4 GT3, as well as that of the BMW M4 GT4, will contribute to playing in the first league of GT racing in the coming years and celebrating many more great victories. I thank everyone involved in the development of the cars.”
The retail price of the BMW M4 GT3 Evo has been set at 578,000 euros. BMW customer teams will continue to race with the original version of the M4 GT3 in the remainder of the 2024 season, with the new update only being made available to customers from 2025 onwards.
Sportscar365 are reporting that BMW is evaluating the possibility of giving the M4 GT3 EVO a pre-homologation race outing later this year, with an SP-X entry in the NLS cited by motorsport boss Andreas Roos as a key option.
Here are two great articles on the 10 year anniversary of Italian F4, the growth of the category and its future. “Looking forward, he (ACI’s Gian Carlo Minardi) sees the FIA’s priorities as “above all, maintaining safety, finding a solution to control costs and working towards the use of zero emission fuel for all levels of the pyramid”. While acknowledging that “there is still work to do”, he remains optimistic that “nothing in the world is impossible”.”
- ACI’s Gian Carlo Minardi: “We are proud that F4 was born in Italy” (Formula Scout)
- Italian F4, 10 years later (Feeder Series)
The Yacademy Winter Series has announced the dates for 2024-25. “This was by far the most competitive year of the Yacademy Winter Series. I am honored by the turnout this year and very grateful for the support of the teams and drivers during this winter. The next off season cant come soon enough.” Gustavo Yacaman
The Radical World Finals 2024 are set to take place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi from November 6th – 10th and registration is now open. Drivers from across the globe and Radical’s 14 Cup Championships can compete for the ultimate title, pushing their limits and demonstrating their expertise in Radical’s signature race cars.
Grassroots Motorsports track test and reviews the ND-chassis Mazda MX-5 Cup Car. “Far from being Miatas with a few bolt-ons, the Cup cars are fully realized racing machines with minimal maintenance requirements. They’re designed to endure the rigors of multiple weekends of doorhandle-to-doorhandle–sometimes doorhandle-to-windshield or even mirror-to-bumper–racing. Each Cup car is delivered to Flis Performance as a complete, stock vehicle, but they’re quickly stripped to bare shells in preparation for their transformation. (Check out Flis Performance’s website for a few choice MX-5 takeoff parts, too.) “
Audi Sport customer racing boss Chris Reinke has cited the brand’s seventh triumph at the Nürburgring 24, in addition to successful runs at other endurance events in 2024, as proof of validity for its current customer racing support program.
“For the moment being, we are happy that our story of success [has] the possibility to ride on via our customers,” Reinke said. “We always said customer racing means first the customer, then the racing. As we have proven in Dubai with the win of the 24 there [and] with the podium in Bathurst. Now we come to the Nürburgring and can extend our R8 LMS victory series up here as well. It proves that the concept can work as it is and we’re proud and happy that we can continue.”
The Bathurst International race will be held for the third and final time in 2024 due to “increasing challenges of attracting high level international motorsport content to the event on an ongoing basis”.
Track Days
Road & Track profiles Flatrock Motorsport Park which wants to be a car enthusiast’s paradise. “That isn’t to say the tarmac is something to scoff at, though. The track itself is designed and built by Tilke, the German engineering firm that’s known for building modern Formula 1 Grand Prix circuits like Jeddah and Circuit of the Americas, as well as some top-class proving ground facilities. And though the park has built out an extensive list of amenities and attractions, one of its most notable features is its 30-degree banking. (Yes, that nearly equals Daytona’s 31 degrees.)”
Racing Opportunities
Feeder Series looks at the F4 Global Shootout Program which is being designed as a step to expanding the Indian F4 grid.
“RPPL, the organisers of the Indian F4 Championship, are already supporting Indian drivers with their participation in the championship. We aspire to be a leading international championship in this region,” Reddy said. “Last year, our championship attracted drivers from Australia, Singapore and Vietnam, all of whom have progressed to racing in championships like GB3, GB4, FRECA and French F4 in 2024.”
The ten drivers that will be selected to take part to this program in July will all receive at least €15,000. The overall winner will receive an Indian F4 drive worth around €120,000. The runner-up will have 30% of the winner’s scholarship at around €36,000 and the driver in third will have 20% at around €24,000.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
