Italian team ready for the first round of the European Le Mans Series with Lacorte / Sernagiotto / Schirò battling in the LMP3 class behind the wheel of their new Ligier JS P3 Nissan
Scuderia Villorba Corse will take part in the first round of the 2016 European Le Mans Series which gets underway on Saturday, April 16 at the home of British motorsport Silverstone. The first of six 4-hour races that will decide who will be crowned European Le Mans Series champion will be held on the full 5.9km Grand Prix circuit in Northamptonshire and has attracted 45 cars from all over the world. Twenty of them are LMP3 prototypes; among these there is the new Ligier JS P3 Nissan that Villorba Corse will line up with an entirely Italian crew formed by Roberto Lacorte, Giorgio Sernagiotto, both confirming their “Road to Le Mans” racing project from last year, and new-entry Niccolò Schirò, the 22 year old driver from Milan who will make his racing debut at the wheel of a sportscar after two brilliant GT seasons with the team led by Raimondo Amadio.
Team Principal Amadio comments ahead of this first racing weekend of 2016; “For us Silverstone will open a season full of both news and confirmations. We are expecting a very demanding weekend. Being consistent from the first practice session is our main goal. LMP3 class of the 2016 ELMS is one of the most competitive championships of them all, so this year being among the strongest crews will be crucial. We are very pleased to be one of the two teams from last season. We are confirming that the decision to believe in the LMP3 project was strategically wise and far-sighted”.
Lacorte says; “After a deep work, started as soon as we finished the last race of last season, we are about to open the first round of 2016 on a track so beautiful as challenging. We are aware that, combining all our capabilities without losing our head, at Silverstone we will be able to collect some valuable points”.
Sernagiotto adds; “Silverstone is one of the major motorsport temples, here many of my heroes have raced and won. I am proud to be at the start of such an important event! Our team is ready and Le Castellet official tests gave us confidence but only the track will tell us our real potential. In theory, crew and team are competitive. I'm looking forward to fight!”.
Schirò ends; “There is no waiting anymore! I am confident for the season and I hope we can fight for something good right from the start. From my side, Silverstone is the best circuit to get started; it is a perfect track to learn the prototype at all stages (fast, medium, slow). Also it has such a history and charm that can motivate you even more”.
The 4 Hours of Silverstone will take place on Friday 15, with two 90-minute free practice sessions, and Saturday 16 April with one morning qualifying session followed by the race at 14h30 local time (15h30 CET). As well as live and uninterrupted coverage on the official ELMS website at www.europeanlemansseries.com on Saturday, the four hour race will be broadcast by Motors TV (live coverage will be available in the UK from 14h15 and in France and the rest of Europe from 15h15 CET) and several TV channels throughout Europe and worldwide (British fans will also be able to see the race live on BT Sport 2 from 13h30).
European Le Mans Series calendar: 16 apr. Silverstone (GBR); 15 may Imola (ITA); 17 july Spielberg (AUT); 28 aug. Le Castellet (FRA); 25 sept. Spa (BEL); 23 oct. Estoril (POR).
