IMSA/WEC: Ford likely to provide domestic, international P2 power in 2017

Ford Racing boss Jamie Allison isn't ready to confirm the Blue Oval's participation in P2 when the new global specification arrives for 2017, but he says there's a strong likelihood its P2-derived twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost Daytona Prototype engine will continue after DPs are phased out after the 2016 season.

"The [TUDOR United SportsCar Championship] has declared its position; one of the foundations of IMSA is the alignment and the adaptation of the FIA and the ACO around the classes. Obviously, we are a global company with global platform and global powertrain technologies and global vehicle lines. As a global company, we really would like to be involved in global adaptations and global cross applications," he told RACER in his classic, carefully-worded style.

"So the world of a global P2 that allows teams to potentially field or prepare an entry that may run in either regional or international series and then be able to come in and run some races here, I think that is the spirit of what we find attractive about that class."

The current discussions between the ACO, FIA and IMSA involve a common P2 chassis that would allow manufacturers to continue fitting custom bodywork similar to what Chevy and Ford have done in DP.

Along with the continuation of production-based engines like the TTV6 EcoBoost, Ford could simply make its Roush Yates-built engines available for lease in IMSA and the WEC, or continue its current practice of supplying bespoke bodywork and partnering with factory teams like Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Michael Shank Racing. A return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans would be the obvious marketing benefit behind preparing a pool of P2 engines, although Ford could have bigger plans for making its way back the La Sarthe.

"We advocate for and support that adaptation of the global P2," Allison continued. "I think that just makes natural sense to us as a global company with global technologies and global platforms. I don't know what the plans are for other manufacturers, but we've shared with our partners at IMSA and with our representation, obviously they're involved at the FIA and through our global programs, that the global P2 would be a thing that the sport needs to go toward."