PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports is targeting a two-car LMP2 effort for next IMSA season, team owner Bobby Orgel told DSC at Laguna Seca.

PR1/Mathiasen had already completed two test runs with their second ORECA 07 chassis before it had to be sent back to Europe for United Autosports to use. A replacement ORECA 07 chassis for the team was scheduled to arrive this week.

“The plan is to run a two-car programme if I can put together a proper programme for it,” Orgel said. PR1/Mathiasen had been looking at potentially entering races in Europe but the team is no longer considering that an option following the schedule changes IMSA made.

Earlier this year, IMSA made the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona a non-points event for LMP2 teams. That change will allow LMP2 teams to have a programme for gentlemen drivers interested only in IMSA’s marquee event and for drivers interested in a full-season effort.

“It helps a lot on the financial end of things, and the reality of where LMP2 needs to race and doesn’t need to race. I think it’s a great thing. Daytona being a marquee event, I think is going to add some flavour to what people can do with their lineup in terms of full-season points guys, and Daytona-only guys. And to me, I think it’s just a great addition.” Orgel said.

PR1/Mathiasen is also part of IMSA’s Prototype Challenge with a pair of Ligier LMP3 chassis. Orgel has been very pleased with what the team has been able to do in that category. He explained to DSC that the LMP3 class offers not only a great financial ladder for teams but can also act as a great driver-development ladder, all of which can be done at a relatively cheap price.

“To me, there’s just a lot to learn at a very cheap price in an LMP3 car,” Orgel said.

Orgel made it clear that despite looking at Europe earlier in the year, PR1/Mathiasen remains committed to the United States, saying they are “full steam ahead” with a “100% push to help grow the class in the United States… It’s got all the pieces to be able to do it. We’ll do double the mileage, for the same money as ELMS. So, for me, that’s where it’s at,” Orgel said.

As for teams that may be looking to join IMSA’s LMP2 class in the future, Orgel said that internal conversations have been encouraging.

“I think most of us internally know that there are people knocking on the door, and to divulge who they are, it’s not my place. From my standpoint, there’s a lot of good rumblings of teams doing multiple programs across the world platform, and that’s great. There are a few teams internally in the United States that are looking to do LMP2 and some of their other programs. A lot of its talk, but it is now good talk,” Orgel said.

Lok out later this week for details of another new IMSA programme in LMP2 that is rapidly emerging.