Field on IMSA Return: “It Never Really Leaves Your Blood”

Photo: Inter Europol Competition

Jon Field said he’s happy to return to top-level IMSA competition after nearly 15 years away, as the former American Le Mans Series class champion gets back up to speed in his new environment at Inter Europol Competition.

The 69-year-old former owner of Intersport Racing, who won the 2002 ALMS LMP675 title, has teamed up with reigning WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP2 class champion Tom Dillmann in the Polish squad’s Oreca 07 Gibson this season.

While Field’s last start in IMSA-sanctioned competition came in 2011 with his own team, the Ohio native made a racing comeback in Radical Cup North America and also took part in last year’s HSR Prototype Challenge series in a Ligier JS P3 Nissan, winning the opening race of the season.

“IMSA’s amazing,” Field told Sportscar365. “It’s great drivers, great cars. That never really leaves your blood, driving in a fast car.

“I’ve just been studying these P2s and they’re fascinating cars. I said, ‘Let’s take a stab at it.'”

Field admitted that much of his decision to come back to the flagship IMSA series was his co-driver Dillmann, whom he got to know during a test at Road America last year.

“I did about ten laps up there,” he said. “I got to know Tom. I really pursued the team because of Tom.

“He’s really a great guy, fast driver. I think we’ll work really well together. He’ll make me a better driver.

“We’re with a good team. I want to keep the car safe, keep it on the track and do our deal.

“For me it’s all about being good for the team and keep the car up front as close as I can and then let Tom or Antonio [Felix da Costa] do their jobs.

“I’ve got really great teammates so I’m really excited for that.”

While previously driving 800-plus horsepower Lola LMP1 cars, Field said his experience in the closed-top LMP3 car last year helped him prepare for this new LMP2 adventure.

He’ll share the No. 43 Oreca with Dillmann, Antonio Felix da Costa and Bijoy Garg in this weekend’s season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“I think the Radical and the P3 [helped me],”Field said. “You’re basically doing the same things. The difference with the P2 is that there’s a lot more car to use.

“It’s got a lot more downforce and brake. It’s like a P1 car.

“It’s closed cockpit, which the P3 got me used to that. I actually enjoy that now. Before I thought I never would.

“At the end of the day it’s a race car.”