Strakka LMP2 on target for Le Mans

The new Strakka Dome LMP2 coupe has successfully come through a pair of tests in the past two weeks ahead of its debut in next month's Le Mans 24 Hours.

The British Strakka Racing team and Japanese constructor Dome, which have joined forces to build and develop the S103 P2 contender, withdrew from the opening two rounds of the World Endurance Championship in favour of a test programme to prepare for Le Mans on June 14-15.

The Nissan-powered S103 has completed a short run at Silverstone this week and will take part in a three-day test at Spa next week in the build up to the Le Mans test day on June 1.

"With a brand-new car, you need to put mileage on it – and that's exactly what we did," said Strakka Racing team manager Karl Patman. "We've done in excess of 1000km and the car has proved mechanically sound.

"A place like Spa can always raise other issues that we haven't seen yet, but we think we will be ready for Le Mans."

Danny Watts, Jonny Kane and Nick Leventis all ran in a shakedown at the Anglesey UK club circuit, while only Kane drove during a four-hour British GT test on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on Tuesday. All three drivers will be present at Spa next week.

Patman explained that the Strakka Dome would run in high and low-downforce configurations at the Belgian track.

"Running on a track the WEC has already visited will also give us a chance to see how competitive we are," he added. "The aim is to be competitive at Le Mans, but only time will tell."

Strakka has yet to explain the problems that resulted in the car first missing the official WEC test at Paul Ricard at the end of the March and then the Silverstone and Spa rounds. It has refused to comment on speculation that the car failed its mandatory FIA crash test.