Team Oreca-Matmut Confirm Le Mans Plans

In it’s first year of partnership with Peugeot, Team ORECA-Matmut has three 2010 championship titles: Le Mans Series Driver, Team and Constructor champions with the French manufacturer. The team, under the watchful eye of Hugues de Chaunac, will now tackle the 2011 season with the same car, 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 ORECA-Matmut team will begin it’s season at the 12 Hours of Sebring – also the first round of the ILMC, organized by the ACO comprising seven races. The team will be making it’s return to Florida after last competing in the 2000 edition when it took a 1-2 victory in the GTS class with their Vipers! Team ORECA-Matmut made its American comeback during the 2009 Petit Le Mans where it finished fifth overall.

“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 testing one! It will certainly be an enriching experience, with a race that promises to be hard-fought.”

For this international campaign, Team ORECA-Matmut have 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 Peugeot: as proven by the fastest race lap during the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours and their performance throughout 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.”

March 16th-19th sees the 59th 12 Hours of Sebring marking the launch of the 2011 season and the Intercontinental Cup.

Travel Destinations are able to offer all their customers the option of joining Team ORECA-Matmut for full race team hospitality Le Mans 24 Hours.

Call now for all your Le Mans 24 Hours requirements on 0844 873 0203.