BAR1 confirms prototype plans

Brian Alder's journey from being the crew chief on an ALMS LMP1 team to entering IMSA's top Prototype category next season as a team owner is complete.

The Ohio-based BAR1 Motorsports program, which won the PC class finale at Petit Le Mans earlier in October, has made the bold choice to partner with Multimatic, whose Mk. 30 LMP2 chassis performed well below expectations in partial seasons with Mazda and Visit Florida Racing.

Having seen all of the upgrades planned for the car, which were granted through the ACO/FIA's "Joker" system to fix shortcomings with the WEC-spec P2s, Alder says partnering with the Canadian outfit was an easier decision than one might expect.

"If you look at who we're competing against, and the high level of the teams we're facing, you have to look at doing something different to get out in front," he told RACER. "I've seen all the work Multimatic has done, and I wouldn't be surprised if this is one of the fastest cars in the field next year."

A wholesale revamp on the Mk. 30's suspension layout, fit and finish of the bodywork, and improvements in torsional rigidity are among the rumored developments taking place with the chassis for 2018. Mazda Team Joest, which is currently testing the Mk. 30-based RT24-P Daytona Prototype international in Europe, is acting as the lead on Joker-related R&D.

"Everything you've heard for the changes is positive, and they're motivated because Multimatic's name is on the line," Alder added. "They have a year of experience with the car, which is good, so they know what needs to be updated, and as a customer, it may be a slight advantage next year.

"I think it's going to be a good package. A lot of the stuff underneath the bodywork is happening on the Mazda DPi, and that development is going on as we speak. And that work will filter down to us with their P2 car."

Receiving the Mk. 30 and conducting familiarization tests is next on the list for BAR1.

"We're going to get the car on track in the next couple of weeks in its current configuration, get some seats made, get some drivers in it, just to learn the car," he said. "And then we'll have it updated towards the end of November to be ready for the Daytona tests."

Like most WEC P2 chassis owners, Alder would like to add his name to the list of Le Mans entrants.

"We would love to go to Le Mans, many of our drivers have expressed that interest, and this will give us that option," he said. "But the first step is to get drivers in the car, get that going, and take it one step at a time."

With race-winning P2 choices like Ligier's JS P217 and ORECA's 07 to consider, Alder is clearly enjoying the anti-establishment direction he's taken BAR1.

"It's probably not the most popular choice," he said. "But I think looking back a year from now, it will be one of the smartest choices we've made."