Ligier JS P3

The Ligier JS P3 is an LMP3 Le Mans Prototype. It was created by Onroak Automotive, and named in partnership with former French driver Guy Ligier. It was built to meet ACO LMP3 standards, and is active in various LMP3 championships worldwide, such as the European Le Mans Series, IMSA Prototype Challenge, and the Asian Le Mans Series. The car has proven to be immensely popular in the category, with over 100 cars being produced since 2015.^[2] It has also proved to be one of the most successful prototypes in the class, with a total of 103 overall wins and class victories from 132 races entered by the car.^[3] It was succeeded in 2020 by the Ligier JS P320 when new LMP3 regulations came into place in 2020.^[4]

Ligier JS P3

The No. 27 United Autosports JS P3 at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Category	LMP3
Designer(s)	Nicolas Clémençon
Successor	Ligier JS P320
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis	Carbon monocoque
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone
Length	4,605 mm (181.3 in)
Width	1,900 mm (74.8 in)
Wheelbase	2,860 mm (112.6 in)
Engine	Nissan VK50DE 5.0L V8 N/A Rear-mid
Transmission	XTrac 1152 6-speed sequential
Power	420 hp (313 kW; 426 PS)
Weight	930 kg (2,050 lb)
Fuel	Various
Lubricants	Various
Brakes	6-piston Brembo 14 in steel disks
Tyres	Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli, Continental, Giti
Competition history
Notable entrants	United Autosports OAK Racing GRAFF Racing Tequila Patron ESM
Debut	2015 4 Hours of Estoril
Races Wins Titles 242 180 10 (2016-2018 European Le Mans Series, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017 GT & Prototype Challenge, 2017 British LMP3 Cup, 2017-2018 Asian Le Mans Series, 2019 Ultimate Cup Series Proto, 2023 Masters Endurance Legends Prototype)
Teams' Championships	7 (2016-2018 European Le Mans Series, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018 Asian Le Mans Series, 2019 Ultimate Cup Series Proto)
Drivers' Championships	10 (2016-2018 European Le Mans Series, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017 GT & Prototype Challenge, 2017 British LMP3 Cup, 2017-2018 Asian Le Mans Series, 2019 Ultimate Cup Series Proto, 2023 Masters Endurance Legends Prototype)

Development

In 2014, the ACO announced a new category of Le Mans Prototypes, known as LMP3, which would replace the previous Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) class in 2015.^[5] The number of constructors was limited in the class, with licenses being issued to 6 manufacturers, namely ADESS, Ligier (Onroak Automotive), Ave/Riley, Norma, Dome, as well as Ginetta. Nissan was later announced to be supplying the spec engine, the VK50VE producing 420 hp (313 kW; 426 PS). The car was launched on 2 February 2015.^[6] It was designed primarily in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using Exa Corporation's PowerFLOW Simulation Software.^[7]

Compared to its rivals in the LMP3 class, it has been known to have a lower top speed through speed traps, but is known have an advantage in the corners.^[8][9]

Competition history

2015

On its debut at the 2015 4 Hours of Estoril, the car finished well, scoring a podium finish at the hands of Graff Racing.^[10]

2016

United Autosports clinched the LMP3 Teams championship with the car,^[11] while in the V de V Endurance Series, Inter Europol Competition clinched the LMP3 teams championship.^[12]

Gallery

• 
  A prototype of the JS P3 at the 2016 Festival Automobile International
• 
  The No. 85 car entered by DC Racing at the 2016 Road to Le Mans
• 
  The No. 9 car entered by Graff Racing took third at the 2016 4 Hours of Estoril
• 
  The No. 24 car entered by OAK Racing at the 2016 4 Hours of Estoril
• 
  Theo Bean driving the No. 16 car of Panis Barthez Competition at the 2017 4 Hours of Silverstone
• 
  The No. 15 car entered by RLR MSport at the 2017 4 Hours of Silverstone
• 
  The No. 17 car entered by Ultimate at the 2017 4 Hours of Monza
• 
  The No. 204 car entered by Inter Europol Competition at the 2017 GT & Prototype Challenge in Zandvoort Circuit
• 
  David Hauser driving the No. 222 car of Racing Experience at the 2017 GT & Prototype Challenge in Zandvoort
• 
  John Falb driving the No. 2 car entered by United Autosports at the 2018 4 Hours of Monza
• 
  The No. 3 car entered by United Autosports at the 2019 4 Hours of Portimão