Ligier’s LMP3

The LMP3 category was introduced by the ACO in 2015 as a cost-controlled prototype formula intended to provide a structured pathway into endurance racing. Regulations mandated a single engine supplier, restricted aerodynamic freedom, controlled development costs and required cars to be suitable for both professional and amateur drivers. The aim was to create a reliable, globally consistent prototype class capable of supporting regional and international endurance championships.

The Ligier JS P3 was conceived and developed by Onroak Automotive – drawing on extensive experience in LMP1 and LMP2 – the specialist constructor established to run the Ligier prototype programme, in partnership with former French racing driver Guy Ligier, whose name the cars carry. Debuting at the start of the 2015 season, the JS P3 was Ligier’s first LMP3 design.

Built around a carbon-fibre monocoque and powered by the mandated 5.0-litre Nissan VK50 V8, producing approximately 420 bhp, the car was engineered to meet the LMP3 brief precisely. Rather than pursuing technical complexity, the JS P3 was designed to be robust, predictable and economical to operate, with consistent performance over long stints and straightforward servicing between events. This made it particularly well suited to mixed professional-amateur line-ups and to teams entering prototype racing for the first time, without compromising outright competitiveness within the class.

From the outset, the JS P3 proved to be one of the most competitive cars in the category. It was widely adopted across major LMP3 championships, including the European Le Mans Series and a wide range of regional endurance series, quickly establishing itself as a reference point for the class. Since its introduction in 2015, more than 100 examples have been produced, and across its competitive life the model has compiled approximately 180 overall and class victories from around 240 race entries in LMP3 competition worldwide. This combination of widespread adoption and sustained success underlined both the soundness of the JS P3’s design and the effectiveness of the LMP3 formula during its formative years.

This Car, Chassis OR03-88

Chassis OR03-88 is a Ligier JS P3 constructed by Onroak Automotive and is thought to have been supplied to the Asian LMP3 market. The car is understood to have competed in LMP3 class in China, possible even the Asian Le Mans Series, where a number of JS P3s were campaigned during the late 2010s, often delivered in bare carbon and liveried locally.

It is believed to have contested approximately one season before being sold on during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the hands of its current owner and Hall & Hall’s Andy Willis, the car has proved extremely effective in the LMP3 class of the Masters Endurance Racing Legends series, securing multiple class pole positions and victories in 2022 and 2023.

There is no evidence of any major accident damage during the car’s competitive life. The only known incident is a rear-corner contact at Hockenheim, after which localised diffuser repairs were undertaken as necessary. At the point of its acquisition in 2022, the engine was reported to have covered approximately 5,000 km – well within the expected service life of the Nissan VK50 V8.

Between 2022 and 2023, OR03-88 underwent comprehensive inspection and mechanical attention, including a gearbox rebuild, full strip-down and crack-testing, gearbox actuator work, and replacement of service items such as brake discs and bells. Known driveline issues associated with early tripod CV joints were addressed through the installation of Pankl driveshafts and CV joints, a widely adopted reliability upgrade.

The fuel cell remains valid until January 2028. While the car has not been on track since 2024, it is accompanied by a practical spares package comprising two sets of spare wheels, set-up wheels, car skates, and a flight case of running spares, with access to additional bodywork and further components through Hall & Hall.

With its carbon-fibre monocoque, modern safety standards and controlled-spec powertrain, OR03-88 offers a versatile and approachable ownership proposition. The JS P3 is well suited to track days and private testing, while also being eligible for a growing number of series and events aimed at recent-generation prototypes, including Masters Endurance Legends and HSR Prototype Challenge. It also represents an accessible route into prototype racing for drivers looks to make the step up from historics or GT cars.