Dome Out Of 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours

Its been a busy few days and we're catching up with developments whilst getting set for the LMS season-opener ahead (and grappling with a tiresome server issue that's hampering our publishing efforts).

First up though is the bad news that the factory Dome-Judd S102 has withdrawn from the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours.

It seems that Dome could not reach agreement with their chosen partner (Oak Racing) for the 24 Hours either on tyre supply or driver line-up.

That means that the pretty (and pretty rapid) LMP1 coupe has been pulled out, removing one of the fan favourites - and one of the fastest petrol-fuelled runners - from the entry.

That lets the new, and as yet unraced, Pegasus Racing Norma Judd into the entry, that car having been nominated as the first LMP reserve.

In addition though our friends at Endurance-Info.com have established that the second LMP car on the list, the Tokai University Courage-YGK, has also been withdrawn, the University based team choosing to concentrate on 2011 and a hybrid powertrain instead!

That leaves just two LMP cars on the reserve list - KSM's LMP2 Lola Judd is now atop the order with the Ibanez Racing Services Lola Judd second, assuming that its absence from any 2010 Le Mans Series entry list doesn't mean its demise (the Kaneko Racing Courage having already been withdrawn)

In addition Japan's last overall Le Mans 24 Hours race winner, 2004 victor Seiji Ara, has been named as the final driver for the Swiss Racing Team Nissan effort in the FIA GT1 World Championship.

Ara will share the #4 Nissan GT-R with Swede Max Nilsson.

SRT managing director Othmar Welti:

“Seiji Ara is a powerful asset for the team. He is a strong driver with great experience and a proven track record.

“I am particularly happy that one of our Nissan GT-R’s will be driven by a Japanese pilot. He is a dedicated team player and we are glad that he is part of our team.”