6H Spa : Seven ORECA 03 to take on Eau Rouge !
The second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship will see seven ORECA 03 at the start. A final rehearsal before Le Mans becomes the main event…
Third in LMP2 at the 12 Hours of Sebring, with Pecom Racing, and overall winner at the 6 Hours of the Castellet, thanks to Thiriet by TDS Racing, the Groupe ORECA constructor’s department hopes to continue this good form on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. ORECA will be counting on its three full-time FIA-WEC representatives, ADR-Delta, Pecom Racing and Signatech-Nissan, who will be entering a second chassis for this event, but also three European Le Mans Series regulars, Boutsen Ginion Racing, Murphy Prototypes and Race Performance. Enough to set ambitions high on a track that gave success to the ORECA 03 last year. The prototype is returning to the site of its first victory in competition! There is no doubt that the six teams present will be trying for a repeat performance.
ADR-Delta, Robbie Kerr : « We are going to Spa to win.. »
After making their debut at Sebring, with a fifth place showing, ADR-Delta is revising their objectives for Spa-Francorchamps. The No.25 ORECA 03 – Nissan will be again driven by John Martin, Tor Graves and Robbie Kerr. « I’m looking forward to Spa » said the British driver. « We could have finished on the podium in Florida and we now have more experience with the car. We understand it better and we are going to Spa to win. We want to show that we are capable of being competitive. We have the car for it.»
Like so many other drivers, Robbie Kerr particularly appreciates the Eau Rouge circuit and he will be looking to shine there. « It’s a fantastic track where I’ve often had good performances. Before Le Mans, we’re also hoping to continue learning. We have a very good car, as good as we can hope for. It should suit Spa well : we have our chance. »
Pecom Racing, Pierre Kaffer : « To fight for victory! »
Benefiting from a double program, Pecom Racing is entering their third event with the ORECA 03. Third at Sebring, the Argentine team was unlucky at the Castellet, after being involved in an accident with a GT. With Luis Perez Companc, the return of Soheil Ayari, and Pierre Kaffer, Pecom Racing is well on its way to regaining forward momentum. « Our goal is clear: to fight for victory » said Pierre Kaffer. « We have all we need to be quick : the team, the driving squad and the car. We simply have to unite all the elements. We learned a lot during the first two races. It’s a season where I’m enjoying myself a lot and I’m quite confident. »
Although Spa is generally considered as being a final rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the German driver doesn’t want to limit himself to just an extended testing session.: « Spa is an integral part of a true championship. There are therefore points to be had. The ideal situation would be to win before concentrating fully on Le Mans. »
Signatech-Nissan doubles their chances…
After a premature retirement at Sebring, following an accident, the Signatech-Nissan team is hungry for revenge at Spa. And in addition to the trio of Franck Mailleux, Olivier Lombard and Jordan Tresson, the Bourges-based team will enter a second ORECA 03 for Nelson Panciatici, Pierre Ragues and Roman Rusinov.
« We’re doubling our efforts » confirm Philippe Sinault and Didier Calmels. « We have nine hours less of track time than the teams who went to the end of the 12 Hours of Sebring, after our retirement. We have to recoup lost time and adapt our set ups to a very quick track in the Ardennes and try to be out front. Entering the second car is an important element and a big challeng. »
Boutsen Ginion Racing, Murphy Prototypes and Race Performance at the start…
While ADR-Delta, Pecom Racing and Signatech-Nissan will be present in the framework of the FIA World Endurance Championship, three other teams will be at the start of the 6 Hours of Spa with an ORECA 03. Before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Boutsen Ginion Racing, Murphy Prototypes and Race Performance will join a field of incredible caliber joining quality and quantity. 18 LMP2s will tackle the famous raidillon with five other constructors present alongside ORECA.
A home race for Boutsen Ginion Racing, the team will rely on Jack Clarke, Bastien Brière and their latest recruit Jens Petersen. Fifth in the 6 Hours of the Castellet, Race Performance reunites a 100% Swiss driving squad in Michel Frey, Jonathan Hirschi and Ralph Meichtry. Finally, after recently receiving their invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Murphy Prototypes will compete in the Belgian classic with Warren Hughes and Jody Firth. A good occasion to prepare for the twice round the clock race in La Sarthe.
The 6 Hours of Spa (May 3-5) can be followed live at www.fiawec.com. News and photos at www.oreca-manufacturer.com and our social media page, Facebook.com/Oreca.fr and Twitter.com/Oreca.