By alley - Dec 2, 2016, 5:01 PM ET

IMSA: Ligier expands into amateur market

Onroak Automotive will continue its expansion into the customer sports car market with a new range of club racing-themed cars and track-day support programs.

The French prototype constructor, which recently purchased North Carolinian racecar manufacturer Crawford Composites, has hired Phil and Amanda Abbot, founders of the Radical Sportscars firm, to oversee the new initiative.

"This new range of racing cars and services is aimed at all motor sporting enthusiasts whether they are interested in top-level competition or circuit driving using a turn-key package," said Onroak Automotive president Jacques Nicolet, whose LMP2 and LMP3 cars have sold at an impressive rate. "Our intention has always been to provide products and services enabling enthusiasts to take part in practice days with the prospect of evolving and also the opportunity to fulfil a dream such as racing in the Le Mans 24 Hours. With Phil and Amanda, we are determined to achieve this goal by 2018."

Despite the lack of details on the type of vehicles it will build, a growing market for sub-professional prototypes would be an obvious fit for Onroak through its Ligier brand.

"We're delighted to be joining Onroak Automotive to create a new sector for pleasure and competition for motor racing fans," Phil Abbott said. "We've been really impressed by the work carried out by Onroak Automotive over the last five years. The level of investment, products and services far exceeds anything I've seen in this business so far. We're looking very much forward to launching the new models and the associated services."