By alley - Sep 1, 2014, 11:23 AM ET

SARD tipped for Le Mans prototype comeback

Sportscar365.com

reports that Japanese-based SARD, one of the country's most most successful sports car teams, is planning a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year, potentially with both an LMP1 prototype program in the FIA World Endurance Championship as well as an experimental entry at the 24 Hours for its "Garage 56" entry.

The chassis and engine package that would be run by SARD (Signa Advanced Racing Development) was not revealed, but the company has close ties to Toyota, for whom it has been a longtime factory team partner and currently runs a Lexus RC F in Japan's Super GT series (pictured) for drivers Hiroaki Ishiura and Oliver Jarvis.

"SARD could start next year in LMP1-L in the FIA WEC, and therefore the 24 Hours of Le Mans," a team representative Hideki Noda told Endurance-Info. "Discussions are currently underway with a team and a manufacturer that are already well established.

"We hope to field a car in 2015, perhaps for a partial-season program before a full presence the following season."

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