Le Mans: New Strakka Dome runs for first time

The new Strakka Dome LMP2 coupe ran for the first time today ahead of the official World Endurance Championship test at Paul Ricard at the end of the week. The Nissan-engined Strakka Dome S103 completed its first miles at the Turweston aerodrome near Strakka Racing's Silverstone shop in the hands of team regulars Jonny Kane and Danny Watts.

"It was really about doing a systems check to make sure the car goes up and down the gears, stops and steers," Strakka sports car team manager Karl Patman said. "It went incredibly well, which proves that the boys have done a fantastic job in putting the car together."

Patman played down expectations for the car, in which team boss Nick Leventis will join Kane and Watts in the WEC, ahead of the mandatory two-day test at Ricard on Friday and Saturday.

"We will be on a steep learning curve that's going to take more than a couple of days," he explained.

The team has no testing scheduled between the Ricard test and the opening WEC round at Silverstone on April 20.

Strakka, the top privateer LMP1 entrant in last year's Le Mans 24 Hours, has entered into a joint venture with Japanese constructor Dome to bring its S103 design to the marketplace. The British operation, which expanded into Formula Renault 3.5 last season with the purchase of P1 Motorsport, is responsible for the manufacture of the cars under its joint-venture agreement with Dome, as well as sale and service.