Interview with Jacques Nicolet - Driver, Team Owner and Manufacturer

Q : The ELMS grid for 2016 looks fantastic. How do you feel when you see that over half of the cars entered this season are built by Onroak Automotive ?

It’s a real positive feeling, and I’m very happy of the success we’ve had with the LMP3 and LMP2 cars. I think that it’s thanks to the huge involvement of all the Onroak Automotive team in that project for several years. I’m very proud that we have coped with the demand and the success; it’s a project that has met many different requirements.  With the regulations of the ACO we were able to make a great car that is much appreciated by our customers and then thanks to the different circuits where we have developed the cars.

Q : 2016 has started well for Onroak Automotive with the Ligier JS P2 winning the Daytona 24H and the 12H of Sebring, as well as winning the LMP2 title in WEC last season. Are you surprised by the level of success that the car has enjoyed when the level of competition in LMP2 is so high across the world in WEC, ELMS, Asian LMS and IMSA?

The year started really well and in a slightly different context than usual. So it’s a great satisfaction for us to show that we have the right elements to succeed in the World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Q : You must be extremely busy with the business of building cars for so many customers, how do you find the time to race as well ?

Unfortunately, I think that I don’t have enough time to drive! All this adventure started from one point, my passion for motorsports.  I’m trying to make it a business and I think we are on the right track. It’s true that I don’t have the same availability to enjoy my passion for driving but I hope that it’s going to be better during the season. What I’m very proud of this year is to be able to race with my son and I hope that he will beat all my times on track!