SPORTS CAR ace James Winslow says the time is right for LMP3 cars to come to Australia, following confirmation that the Australian Prototype Series is working to bring the class to local shores.

The series has outlined their long-term goals which includes moves to introduce LMP3 vehicles to Australia as soon as next year.

The category, which currently caters for Type CN, Radical and Sports Racing cars, evolved from the former Sports Racer series and has shown signs of growth in 2018 with more cars and longer races featuring this year.

APS organisers confirmed in a media release today that, pending approval, they plan to phase in the introduction of LMP3 specification vehicles next year, with discussions having commenced with both CAMS and several constructors of eligible vehicles.

The series has targeted closer links with Asia and a locally-based stepping stone to international Sports Car racing as key motives behind the move.

International Sports Car and GT racing ace James Winslow has extensive racing experience the junior Prototype formula in Asia and Europe and is enthusiastic about their potential introduction to the local scene.

Along with Winslow, a host of Australian drivers currently race LMP3 machinery around the world, including Josh Burdon, Tim Macrow, Dean Koutsoumidis, Scott Andrews and Garnet Patterson.

The ex-Pat Brit has worked with several Australian drivers to assist them in securing LMP3 drives in Europe, Asia and the UAE and believes an Australian-based home for the cars is essential.

“The timing is definitely right for the introduction of LMP3 cars into Australia and this region,” he said.

“LMP3 cars are the perfect platform for the local market. They have enough performance that they can prepare drivers for LMP2 or P1 cars, but the controls in place mean they are still relatively affordable to run and are also fantastic for Pro-Am or Amateur drivers to race.

“To be able to keep some of our local talent here in a strong Pro-Am style series would be fantastic, and more drivers would get access to these great cars that are dominating the Sports Car scene worldwide.”

Winslow moved to dispel some fears in the local marketplace that the cars would be unsuited to some of Australia’s shorter circuits.

“LMP3 cars are lots of fun to drive, extremely safe and what people perhaps don’t realise is how versatile these cars are,” he explained.

“They are obviously amazing on bigger tracks, but they work just as well on smaller circuits and in a lot of instances run in multi-class fields as well, which would work perfectly for the Australian scene.

“I have spoken to both manufacturers and teams who are both keen to see the introduction of LMP3 to this region and would definitely support it.”

WORDS: Series release
IMAGE: via James Winslow Official Facebook Page.