Oreca enters ILMC with Peugeot 908 HDI FAP

For its first year of partnership with Peugeot, the Team ORECA-Matmut has the championship titles to show for it: Le Mans Series driver, team and constructor champions with the French manufacturer. The team, under the watchful eye of Hugues de Chaunac, will tackle the 2011 season with the same ride, the 908 HDi FAP, driven by Nicolas Lapierre and Loïc Duval in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.

Before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Team ORECA-Matmut will begin its season at the 12 Hours of Sebring - also the first round of the ILMC, organized by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest comprising seven races. The team will be making its return to Florida after last competing in the 2000 edition when it took a 1-2 victory in the GTS class with their Vipers! The Team ORECA-Matmut made its American comeback during the 2009 Petit Le Mans where it finished fifth overall, ahead of Honda-Acura.

"It’s always with great pleasure that we cross the Atlantic," said Hugues de Chaunac. "We especially appreciate the American way of racing and we are excited to once again enjoy the special, even legendary, atmosphere of Sebring. Everyone knows that this event is a trying one! It will certainly be an enriching experience, with a race that promises to be hard-fought."

For this international campaign, the Team ORECA-Matmut decided to continue with what works: the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP. The package is proven and the team knows the prototype inside and out. This means they can hit the ground running, as the drivers are also very comfortable with the Lion: as proven by the fastest race lap during the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours and their performance in the Le Mans Series. Consequently, the team will arrive at the 12 Hours of Sebring at full throttle.

"A new car would have meant a later delivery date," adds David Floury, Technical Director. "To arrive at Sebring under the best conditions, we are conducting several tests in 2011 configuration, with the new restrictors and boost pressure. As for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the change in regulations (smaller restrictors) we are aiming for reliability more so than pure performance."

Rendez-vous March 16-19 for the 59th 12 Hours of Sebring marking the launch of the 2011 season.