British motorsport team, Strakka Racing, has announced it is to expand its on-track activities in 2016, with the addition of an entry in to the Renaultsport R.S.01 championship. The new program will sit alongside Strakka’s existing WEC and Formula V8 3.5 activities, and will see a sole R.S.01 campaigned by team-founder Nick Leventis, and Lewis Williamson.
Strakka states that the move to compete in the growing category has been driven by a desire to provide more sportscar opportunities to the young drivers Strakka is involved with.
“We are seeing more and more young drivers disillusioned with the single seater ladder and asking about drives in sportscar racing,” said team principal Dan Walmsley. “They see a chance for a real career in sportscars. This affordable series is a great platform to give young drivers more experience and is a perfect fit between our WEC and single seater efforts.”
Leventis tested the car in late 2015 and was immediately impressed with the car and opportunities it will provide. “It’s got bags of grip, not far off our Formula V8 and for drivers wanting to race sports cars, it’s an excellent way to get a feel of sportscar racing,” says Nick Leventis. “We get lots of track time and I’m initially planning to do a number of the rounds this season to keep me sharp for the WEC.”
The series for 550bhp R.S.01s will run at European Le Mans Series and the Eurocup Renault 2.0 category including rounds at Imola, Spa and Estoril. Each round consists of an Endurance Race as well as a separate race each for both Elite Driver and Prestige Driver.
