Spanish team Speed Factory Racing Team is one of the first ones to join the Ultimate Cup Series next year. Dalius Steponavicius, Team Manager, has answered a few questions about next season to Endurance-Info.
Why did you choose to join the Ultimate Cup Series ?
“LMP3 cars was build and from beginning developped to run on Michelin tires. Our main Championship is ELMS and we used VdeV championship as platform to develop our gentlemen’s drivers and car performance as well. After VdeV announced about switching to other tire brand in 2019, it was only one solution to join the Ultimate Series to keep running with Michelin in both series, but after talking with UCS, I find more advantage as only tires . I like how Ultimate Cup Series sees future, focuses on each detail in Series organisation , how it builds the relationship with the teams. I hope and have the feeling that it will be good from the beginning and that it has a bright future.”
How many LMP3s will you enter ? One, two ? Will you keep the Ligier JS P3 or will you switch for a Norma M30 ?
“2019 will be last year for LMP3 actual homologation car, and we will stay for 2019 with Ligier. We will enter sure one car in ELMS and one in UCS, but I’m working on second car entry in Ultimate cup.”
Are the drivers already chosen ?
“Yes, for Ultimate Cup Series the drivers are chosen, for ELMS I hope for close deals till Christmas.”
Will the car (s) have the same livery than in 2018 ?
“At the moment, it is unclear with final livery, as partly it depends from our ELMS program.”
What will be your objective next year in the Ultimate Cup ?
“Our objective will be the podium in the Gentlemen’s category.”
What will be the off-season programme of the team ?
“There is no off-season, because next day after season ends, starts new season.”
Will you race too in other championships next year ?
“As I mentioned ELMS is our main program, we will do as each year Road to Le Mans, and on target is a couple of 24H races with Audi TCR. In Ultimate Cup Series we will enter cars not only in LMP3 but as well in Formula Renault.”
