Jota Sport looking to expand for 2013

Jota Sport may not have been a full-season entrant to the FIA World Endurance Championship, but the Kent, UK-based squad made a very positive impact each of the three times it has appeared. 

Originally planning to contest the full European Le Mans Series, the team has enjoyed much success in the FIA WEC including an incredible class victory on its debut at the 6 Hours of Spa in May.  Further strong outings in the highly competitive LMP2 category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June and then at Silverstone last month, on that occasion in the hands of Simon Dolan-Sam Hancock-Nicolas Minassian, demonstrated the potential of its No.38 Zytek Z11SN Nissan. 

The scale of success throughout this year has therefore prompted the team to expand further in 2013 by potentially adding a second LMP2 car to its roster.  No championship has yet been decided upon, with the FIA WEC and ELMS are both under consideration. 

Sam Hignett, Jota Sport Team Principal: “We’ve enjoyed some incredible success considering this was our first year back in the prototype ranks since Le Mans 2008, and that’s given us the confidence to expand the team’s commitment in 2013. The Zytek-Nissan package offered a great platform from which to be competitive right away, something that was seen after no testing prior to Paul Ricard and against the WEC field at Spa where we won, so our preference would be to run a second chassis next year. 

“Simon Dolan’s staggering progression from novice to World Championship LMP2 race winner inside four years also demonstrates that the team and car are perfectly suited to helping gentleman drivers develop into professionals. We are fully committed to continuing our prototype programme in 2013.” 

Fiona Miller (Quotes from team press release)

PHOTO:  SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, (SPA, BELGIUM), 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, 5TH MAY 2012. NO.38 JOTA SPORT ZYTEK-NISSAN EN ROUTE TO ITS LMP2 CLASS WIN.