New ORECA 05 LM P2 first shakedown completed with much success !
The ORECA 05 LM P2, new closed-cockpit prototype designed by ORECA Technology, went out for its first laps this Monday. It was more than a simple shakedown but rather a real test session and the first outcome is very positive. The programme planned by the engineers was completed with much success and some more tests will follow on Tuesday and Wednesday with team KCMG which will enter the ORECA 05 as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The ORECA 05 has already shown some qualities…
Just like the ORECA 01 LM P1 and the ORECA 03 LM P2 before it, the ORECA 05 baptism took place at the Paul Ricard Circuit, only a couple of kilometres away from the workshops where it was built. Actually, there was a lot of excitement those last few days while completing the assembly of the chassis. The brand new ORECA 05 took to the track on Monday morning with Stéphane Sarrazin at the wheel. After a quick check of the basic functions, the practice session immediately began with the driver from Le Gars.
Having reviewed all of the different settings, the afternoon was then dedicated to a specific work on aerodynamics. While taking its first steps, the ORECA 05 LM P2 did not encounter any mechanical problem. That meant that engineers and mechanics benefited from a very productive session which allowed to garner as much information as possible. Made out of many innovations, distinctive choices – including in terms of safety – and new concepts, the ORECA 05 demonstrated its intrinsic qualities.
“It’s a solid car, I very quickly felt comfortable at its wheel” explains Stéphane Sarrazin. “The car has a consistent behaviour and is easy to get familiar with. It’s very agile in the sinuous sections : it’s nice for a driver to have a car that is so reactive. The ORECA 05 has an impressive finish. All of ORECA’s experience is there, particularly in the way everything was thought out. Technically speaking we did not have a single issue ; that allowed us to work well. The car is well born, that’s for sure. It’s always a nice thing to be involved in the first laps of a new prototype. I enjoyed it so much.”
As opposed to most of the LM P2 which are 2000mm wide, the ORECA 05 is 1900mm wide and also distinguishes itself by its mass distribution. Actually a lot of in-depth work was done on weight. The new prototype designed in the workshops based in Signes (France) did confirm the technical choices that were made as it quickly demonstrated its agility, perfectly negotiating tight corners, while maintaining all the assets that had turned the ORECA 03 into one of the references in fast sections.
“The ORECA 05’s first test day is a positive one” says David Floury, ORECA’s Technical Director. “We went through the entire programme and the session was enriching. The contribution of a driver like Stéphane Sarrazin is very appreciated. His positive feedback is comforting in terms of the decisions we made both technically and regarding ergonomics. Of course there’re always some details here and there to sort out, but what we’ve witnessed throughout this first shakedown bodes well. The ORECA 05 has already demonstrated the qualities that we were expecting. We now have to refine all of that, collaborating with our customer-teams. Actually KCMG and ORECA worked hand-in-hand on that first day. That’s a way to strengthen our relationship and work more efficiently. It’s very important to us. Generally speaking we’re very happy to see ORECA’s new prototype take to the track for the first time. The car’s finish and the quality of those first tests show the progress we’ve made since the ORECA 01 and ORECA 03. We’re continuing on improving at all levels as a manufacturer.”
Some more tests for the ORECA 05 will follow this Tuesday and Wednesday with KCMG. The assembly of the second chassis, to be entered by Thiriet by TDS Racing, is under way.
Technical sheet
Chassis
Monocoque : Carbonfibre & Honeycomb
Length : 4.640 mm
Width : 1.990 mm
Height : 1.045 mm
Front track : 1.570 mm
Rear track : 1.550 mm
Wheelbase : 2.950 mm
Weight : 900 kg
Engine
Power : around 490hp
Torque : about 55 Kg.m
Max. revs : depending on the engine
Lubrication : Dry sump / staged oil pump
Engine electronic control unit : depending on the engine
Suspensions : double wishbones with pushrod
Tyres, according to the teams choice : FRONT : 30-65/R18 , REAR : 31-71/R18
Front rims : 12,5″x18″
Rear rims : 13″x18″
Gearbox
Make : Xtrac
Type : transverse, magnesium casing
Gear change : Steering wheel-mounted paddles / Pneumatic paddle shift system
Speeds : 6 + reverse
Brakes
Ventilated carbon discs
Calipers : Brembo 6-piston in monobloc
Safety
Six-point harness adapted for Hans system
Rubber fuel tank 75L with integrated safety cell
Body
Carbone/kevlar