Performance Tech Motorsports will step up to the top category of the IMSA Sportscar Championship next season, with a single ORECA 07-Gibson prototype.
The Florida-based outfit dominated this year's Prototype Challenge class with seven wins in the eight race season, and following that success has opted to move into the more powerful formula for 2018.
Prototype Challenge was disbanded at the end of 2017 in line with the retirement of the spec ORECA FLM09 chassis, which was first introduced in 2006.
Driver lineups for the new LMP2 entry are yet to be announced.
“It’s a big step for everybody but it’s a less steep curve to continue with ORECA because we’ve been working with them all along," said team principal Brent O'Neill.
"ORECA was a part of our success this year. The car announcement, played out well for both of us. Everyone was asking ORECA who the car was for and our team was excited. But we’re happy to announce with them and excited to get to work.”
Performance Tech toyed with the possibility of running a Ligier or Dallara package next year, but instead sided with the manufacturer it has partnered for the past six seasons.
ORECA technical director David Floury added: “We are really glad to partner Performance Tech in moving up to LMP2."
“The team is strong and has shown it in PC, and we have developed a very good relationship through the year. This will enable to gain valuable time and speed up the process.”
Performance Tech will begin testing its new car before the end of the year, in preparation for the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.
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