Gilles
Alegoët:
"The F3 car is now in the assembly phase and we will start
testing by the end of October. We carried on an intensive development
using the state of the art wind tunnel located in Magny-Cours, next
door to the factory."
Guy
Ligier, Philippe Ligier and Tico Martini took on the massive challenge
of developing a secret project from the archives of Automobiles
Ligier. The trio shares an undying passion for motor sport.
Automobiles Martini is a well known and respected single-seater
racing car constructor.
Motor sport is very much in the blood of Ligier and the companys
overall strategy evolved naturally following its acquisition of
Automobiles Martini.
Automobiles Martinis focus is motor sport and the creation
of a new Ligier Formula Three singleseater which is to be in use
from as early as 2005. Automobiles Martini will also produce a small
series of racing cars for use in various sports events.
The return to competitive motor sport for Ligier and Automobiles
Martini was made possible by a diversification of the companys
key products and the creation of three axes of activity:
A prototypes department which produces racing vehicles
A production department which conducts research and development
and constructs racingcars specifically for use in driving schools
A competition department which focuses on development, production,
and marketing ofracing cars.
Rick Gorne, the former leader and founder of chassis constructor
Reynard, will be responsible for marketing the vehicles. Automobiles
Martinis research and development department is coordinated
by Gilles Alegoet and was reinforced by the arrival of several engineers
from the former Ligier Formula One team.
Two new models are being built:
The LIGIER MK 84
The
Ligier MK 84 is an affordable single-seater racing car. It is intended
for racing as well as for use
in driving schools throughout the world. Designed from a carbon
fibre shell usable in Formula Three,
the Ligier MK 84 comes equipped with a six-speed sequential gearbox
designed and built by Ligier.
This single-seater is flexible and capable of housing several different
engine types.
The LIGIER JS 47
This Formula 3 single-seater will compete in several international
championships in 2005. Built from a carbon fibre monocoque it has
been developed in strict compliance with the new FIA
homologations for 2005. The car is powered by a four cylinder two-litre
engine and a six-speed sequential gearbox developed by Ligier.
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