First test under race conditions for the REBELLION R-One LM P1 at Spa!
Two weeks after its very first turn of the wheel and a little over one year following the project’s launch, the REBELLION R-One is ready to make its competition debut. Designed and built by ORECA for REBELLION Racing, the R-One LM P1 will be at the start of the 6 Hours of Spa, second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. It’s an enormous challenge for a new car, on a circuit that is as demanding as it is appreciated by drivers. As the REBELLION R-One prepares to make its first public appearance, Hugues de Chaunac, Group ORECA, president, offers his thoughts.
In what mindset are you in going into the 6 Hours of Spa ?
« It’s a mix of emotion and stress because it’s a colossal project, very important, and realised in a very short time span. There is a lot of pression because under normal conditions, we would have needed three or four more months. But this timing was also part of the challenge and I’m proud to say that our teams designed the Rebellion R-One and built two complete examples in 12 months. »
Is the approach different from the ORECA 01 or the ORECA 03?
« It is. With the ORECA 01, there were time constraints but we were starting from an existing chassis base that we had evolved the year before before radically changing it. The ORECA 03 was clearly based on experience gained from its older sibling. Here, we started from scratch and with a new rules package as well. Therefore, there were a certain number of unknowns during the design process, and no competitors to compare ourselves to.
« As for the pressure, it’s not different because there is a real partnership. It’s like the link between those who are in the design department and those in the implementation department in a company. We have to succeed together. The integration of the two teams was very important and it was something that happened naturally. »
What are the goals for the 6 Hours of Spa ?
« Spa is not our first race. It’s a big testing session during a race weekend, but being present is indispensable. We started running the car about 10 days ago, with several tests but not enough needed to race against Audi, Porsche and Toyota. For us, ORECA and REBELLION, its a chance to break in the car and where the result is not the objective. It’s a step on the path to preparing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, ahead of a big testing session in May.
« Hats off to REBELLION Racing’s courage for making this decision and I’m convinced it’s the right one. It’s certain we will have things to tend to during the weekend, and we will probably have issues during the race. But REBELLION Racing wants to learn quickly, and you learn that much faster during a race meeting. We know why we are going to Spa : to prepare for Le Mans without taking any risks, that’s forbidden. »
Is this the biggest challenge taken up by ORECA as a constructor of racing cars ?
« ORECA has taken on and succeeded in a number of challenges going up against time. We’ve always accepted it : that was the case with the Vipers, and with the ORECA 01. The latest challenge is always the most important, and it’s even more this time because this is our first closed Le Mans Prototype.
« Observers who have seen the car, as well as technical bosses at the FIA and experts, some of which would surprise you, have all saluted the high quality build of the car and attention to detail from our teams. Personally, I think the design bureau engineers created a very beautiful car. I’m proud of it. Now, this has to show through performance and reliability, like we did with the ORECA 01, then the ORECA 03. »
As with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, two REBELLION R-One LM P1 entries for REBELLION Racing will be present at the 6 Hours of Spa. This will be the first official appearance by an LMP1-L in competition.