ESM Nissan Onroak DPi Revealed

John Dagys

The first photos of Tequila Patron ESM’s new Nissan Onroak DPi have been revealed, as the team begins testing the new-for-2017 prototype contender ahead of next month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The French-built prototype turned its first laps at Sebring on Wednesday, with Scott Sharp, Ryan Dalziel, Johannes van Overbeek and Ed Brown handling driving duties.

While designed by the Onroak, the bodywork features specific styling cues to the Nissan GT-R, where the car also gains its 3.8-liter V6 twin-turbo powerplant from.

It is the third DPi to officially break cover, following reveals from both Cadillac and Mazda, which will join the customer-based ESM effort on the grid next month alongside Gibson-engined LMP2 cars in the Prototype class.

As previously announced, Sharp and Dalziel will be joined by Pipo Derani in the No. 2 car for the four-round Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup races, with Bruno Senna and Brendon Hartley completing the No. 22 Onroak’s lineup for the season-opener alongside full-season drivers Brown and van Overbeek.

The Florida-based team, returning to full-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition, is the defending winners of both the Rolex 24 and Twelve Hours of Sebring.

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