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Australian James Allen has been named as a test driver for DragonSpeed’s fledgling IndyCar program and in its 2019 European Le Mans Series campaign.
The sportscar outfit debuted in the IndyCar Series in Round 1 of the season in St Petersburg and continues its partial campaign this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.
Allen already had ties with the team, having qualified on the LMP2 pole in in DragonSpeed’s Oreca at January’s 24 Hours of Daytona, and raced its LMP1 entry in two World Endurance Championship races last year.
He will share its Oreca with Henrik Hedman and DragonSpeed’s IndyCar driver Ben Hanley in LMP2 in the 2019 ELMS alongside IndyCar development duties.
“James has consistently shown himself to be a genuine talent, from his previous ELMS successes and being thrown into the deep end of the WEC and LMP1 with us in 2018 to his performance at this year’s Rolex 24,” said team principal Elton Julian.
“He has the essential combination of pace and maturity to deliver for us in sportscars this season and progress further up the racing ladder in years to come.”
The 22-year-old added, “It’s an honour to join DragonSpeed full-time after my guest drives with the team.
“Under Elton’s leadership and with a brilliant crew and Henrik and Ben in the car, I look forward to fighting for the ELMS championship this season.
“It’s great to be part of a team that’s going places, and I hope the IndyCar opportunity will add the extra dimension to my career I’ve been looking for.”
ELMS begins with the 4 Hours of Le Castellet next weekend, while IndyCar continues this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.
