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Young endures to earn European return

By Timothy Neal

Date posted: 12 July 2023

Melbourne racer Dylan Young will return to racing in Europe this weekend, joining up with the Ligier European Series for the rest of 2023.

After taking on the Formula 3 Regional series in the Ultimate Cup last season with Graff Racing – which followed on from his years of racing in the MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship – Young will make the switch from open wheelers into the Ligier LMP4 prototype machinery.

At 34 years-old, the Victorian has been racing open wheelers overseas since 2010, where he started in the now defunct Formula BMW series against the likes of Ferrari F1 driver Carlos Sainz and IMSA champion Tom Blomqvist.

His best result in the Asian based Formula 2000 category yielded a best season of second place in 2019-20.

He’s now got his sights on working up the ranks into the prototype endurance ranks, where he hopes to eventually tackle Le Mans.

After eyeing off a swich to endurance racing via Graff Racing last season, young has found his chance through Smart Racing in the LMP4 machinery.

After successfully testing with the Smart Racing team in Italy last month, that journey starts as soon as this weekend at Paul Ricard in the #5 Smart Driving Ligier JS P4.

“We had a really solid test the other week in Italy and I was on pace really quickly despite it being a new environment for me with a roof over my head for the first time,” Young said. 

“The car is heavier and you can feel the differences compared to what I’m used to, but I felt I adapted really quickly which I’m pleased about.” 

“I’m stoked to be heading in this direction for my career, and am fully focused on a future in endurance racing with the goal of winning the Le Mans 24 hours…and that journey starts now. 

“I want to thank the Smart Driving Team for giving me this opportunity along with my backers and partners who are always by my side.”

After racing in open wheelers for much of his racing life, Young makes the switch to prototype endurance racing with an eye on getting to Le Mans

The LMP4 machinery is a stepping stone into the LMP3 and LMP2 categories that race in IMSA, WEC, The European Le Mans Series, the Asian Le Mans Series, and more, as Young hopes to join the likes of fellow Aussies like James Allen and Josh Burdon who are regular winners in both Europe and America.

Young’s LMP4 Ligier JS P4 is powered by a 3.7 L Ford V6 which produces around 385bhp. The next step up for example, the LMP3, features a 5.6 L Nissan V8, producing around 455bhp, which the Aussie driver is looking to advance into the higher levels through 2024.

This weekend’s action at Paul Ricard will feature two x 40-minute practice sessions, two x 15-minute qualifying sessions and two x 1-hour races. 

You can watch Dylan’s LMP4 debut live and free online via the Ligier European Series YouTube channel. 

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

Auto Action, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.

PODCAST: The latest episode of the Auto Action RevLimiter podcast is out now!

Shane van Gisbergen went to Chicago to have some fun and a job interview. He had fun, won and aced the job interview. Andrew Clarke was there for the historic win, and Bruce Williams and Paul Gover dig into the significance of it all with Clarke.

Then we look Supercars and the parity war, what changes are coming? Then F1, which needs more changes than any Motorsport on the planet.

Listen on your podcast app of choice or here on the Auto Action RevLimiter podcast.

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