Drama and not of a good kind, has unfolded for the CEFC TRSM Racing LMP1 effort here at Spa. Ginetta has decided not to release its pair of G60-LT-P1s to the team for tomorrow’s race after payment deadlines were missed, without sufficient funds being delivered from TRS (China). The team will therefore not race in tomorrow’s season opener.

Ginetta has released a statement, confirming its actions and the reasons behind them.

The statement reads:

“It is with great disappointment that we have to announce that Ginetta will not be releasing the two LMP1 cars that successfully ran at the FIA WEC Prologue at Paul Ricard earlier this month.

“Unfortunately, funds promised have not arrived from TRS (China) to CEFC TRSM Racing (UK).

“The required funds for Ginetta were due some time ago and whilst we understand that TRS (China) has been working with its sponsors to sort the issues, without payment, Ginetta cannot allow the cars to race. Ginetta remains committed to working with CEFC TRSM Racing (UK) on this programme.

“We are aware that CEFC TRSM Racing has visited TRS many times in China and can also confirm that TRS have visited Ginetta three times recently, the last time to attend a Royal visit.

“We have been informed by TRS that the current situation is a short term cash flow problem and that the main funds are in place for payment before Le Mans.”

Chairman of Ginetta, Lawrence Tomlinson said: “We’ve got to a situation where a UK-based team with excellent ability, kit and personnel, plus a pair of the latest LMP1 cars with confirmed and fully paid up entries for the 2018/19 FIA WEC (including two entries at Le Mans in both 2018 & 2019) are unable to race simply due to funds not flowing.”

As the statement above makes clear, the intention is, to work with CEFC TRSM to get the cars on track for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Ginetta’s Lawrence Tomlinson is at Spa today, and has had talks with senior ACO, WEC and FIA representatives. A statement is awaited from them, on the status of the programme in the FIA WEC and in particular at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Reports elsewhere on the status of the entries are understood to be entirely premature.