Ginetta will be making a welcome return to top-level continental prototype competition next season after partnering with leading team DKR Engineering to contest the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup.
The exciting new partnership will see DKR Engineering running the 2025-specification Ginetta G61-LT-P3 Evo LMP3 as an official customer team. They have the ambition of bringing Ginetta to a winning position in two of the world leading LMP3 championships.
DKR Engineering are renowned as one of the most successful prototype teams of recent years. They’ve won the MLMC LMP3 title on four occasions plus the ELMS crown in 2021. Their LMP2 programme has yielded three consecutive podium finishes in the Le Mans 24 Hours and an Asian Le Mans Series title.
Ginetta have been at the forefront of the LMP3 formula since its inception a decade ago. The first-generation model was the dominant force in the 2015 European Le Mans Series. It took all five class wins and the drivers’ title with Team LNT’s Sir Chris Hoy and Charlie Robertson.
The original car was succeeded by the second-generation Evo model in 2020. It had been raced to many notable results by customer teams in recent years across many championships. It has raced in the Prototype Cup Germany, Ultimate Cup Series and the Asian Le Mans Series.
This year, Ginetta have completed an extensive testing and race development schedule for their new-for-2025, third-generation LMP3 model. It has had support from partner team CMR and accomplished former FIA World Endurance Championship and Formula E race-winner Nico Prost.
Their valued input has helped Ginetta with the engineering direction of the new car. Featuring the brand-new Toyota-based twin-turbo V6 engine from ORECA, the new model also features an upgraded aero and cooling package. It also has a revised rear geometry and reduced weight.
The testing programme in Europe has been a huge success so far with over 4,000km achieved. This includes positive runs at Magny-Cours and Paul Ricard with DKR. The team were very impressed with the superb reliability and performance of the new car. It comfortably matches its competitors in Duqueine and Ligier.
Mike Simpson, Ginetta Motorsport Director:
“Ginetta are thrilled to be working with DKR Engineering. Together we will bring the brand-new Ginetta G61-LT-P3 Evo LMP3 into the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup in 2025.
“The team’s success in LMP3 competition speaks for itself. e’re delighted that they have decided to make the switch to Ginetta and take us back to the top-level. We both enter this new partnership with one goal; to win!
“Progress has been fantastic with the new car. Lawrence Tomlinson and Clive Seddon (Ginetta Technical Director) had a strict technical design brief to maximise the efficiency for the new Turbo engine package without compromising aerodynamic performance. It’s all been hugely encouraging so far.
“To be returning to the European Le Mans Series grid for the first time since 2015 is a milestone moment for us. Plus, it’s just the beginning. We are in discussions with teams to further expand our LMP3 customer programmes for 2025, including additional MLMC entries.”
Kendy Janclaes, DKR Engineering:
“After eight years with Norma/Duqueine and after having helped them win five European titles, we have decided to change manufacturers for the third-generation spec cars. We are delighted with the partnership with Ginetta and the ambitions they have shown us during the tests we have done with them.
“This is really the kind of project and work that interests us and being the only car on the ELMS grid is an extra motivation to make it shine. We are really looking forward to it and to be fighting as hard as possible with the others. I would also like to thank Mr. Tomlinson, Mike, CMR and Yann for their confidence in my team.”
