This year's Le Mans 24 Hours could have as many as three Ligier LMP2 coupes on the grid. The move adds to the legend of the French nameplate that raced at Le Mans in the 1970s (pictured, TOP) before moving on to Formula 1.

The new Ligier JSP2 developed by OAK Racing sister company Onroak Automotive is due to hit the track within a month and should make its race debut at Le Mans in June.

OAK Racing Team Asia is first in line to run one of the Ligiers, while it is also likely that Onroak customer TDS Racing will swap from open-top Morgan to closed Ligier for the 24 Hours and the remainder of its European Le Mans Series campaign.

One of OAK Racing's own two entries could also be transferred from a Morgan to a Ligier for the World Endurance Championship's signature race.

Le Mans reveals 2014 entry

"The Ligier will be on track for development testing with OAK at the beginning of March," OAK Racing team manager Philippe Dumas said. "The first race of the car will be Le Mans, and not before Le Mans, and then only if everything is ready."

OAK's Asian entry will run the twin-turbo V6 HPD powerplant at Le Mans and in the Asian Le Mans Series. Dumas explained that Onroak wanted to show that its cars could be competitive with engine options other than the Nissan normally-aspirated V8.

The Asian entry will be driven by Ho-Pin Tung, who raced at Le Mans last year with the Chinese KCMG squad, David Cheng and a third Chinese driver who has yet to be confirmed. Tung will also contest selected TUDOR United SportsCar rounds with Gustavo Yacaman. Olivier Pla and Alex Brundle will also join the Colombian over the course of the U.S. series.

Pla will contest the full WEC alongside Roman Rusinov and Julien Canal in OAK's entry under the G-Drive banner.

Brundle, who has already been confirmed with OAK for four IMSA rounds, will be the lead driver in its Le Mans-only entry.

Originally on www.autosport.com