Alex Tagliani to race a Ligier in FRD LMP3 Series

Craft-Bamboo Racing announced on Monday that Alex Tagliani and Greg Taylor would be driving the No. 20 Nissan V8-powered Ligier JS P3 in this new series.

The FRD Le Mans Prototype 3 Series is the brand new premier prototype series in China. Backed by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the championship brings together the drivers, teams and selection of LMP3 cars to compete over a five-round format. The inaugural FRD LMP3 Series season will kick off at Zheijian International Circuit in China, May 28.

Tagliani is a former ChampCar and IndyCar competitor who captured pole position for the Indy 500 in 2011. “Tag” also drove in the NASCAR Truck and Xfinity series for Roger Penske. Last year, the Canadian competed in the Blancpain GT Endurance series. This year, he will also contest the Canadian NASCAR Pinty’s Series, driving the No. 18 Lowe’s/Spectra Premium entry.

Sydney-born Greg Taylor is an experienced GT driver who has competed throughout Australia and more recently in the Asian region in the Audi R8 LMS Cup China. In 2016, Taylor made his prototype debut where he drove a Ligier JS P3 at the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi. He went on to take a class victory in the endurance race and gain valuable experience in the LMP3 category.

“I am really excited about working with Craft-Bamboo and really thankful for the opportunity to race in this series. Pairing with an Aussie teammate (Greg Taylor) after being married to an Aussie girl is a perfect fit,” said Tagliani.

“This season looks like a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to driving the Ligier LMP3 as well. Everyone I know has great things to say about the Ligier, so driving a car like that on these amazing circuits with a team like Craft-Bamboo is awesome and I am really enthusiastic about the start of the season.

“The excitement for racing in Asia comes from knowing that I will be driving for a professional team that will provide us with the right equipment, and this is always a very difficult thing to find in racing. It is the tracks and cars that bring me the most excitement, so looking at the calendar, I feel this series will become very popular and it is what made me accept the deal and want to race here. The big thing in sports car racing is your teammate and I’ve heard great things about Greg and I think that the pairing becomes a big part of the decision. These were all a factor in choosing to race with Craft-Bamboo and I can’t wait to get started,” Tagliani added.