SMP Racing clinches two titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship !
After a final round full of surprises and unexpected developments, the ORECA 03R finally won all laurels the FIA World Endurance Championship had to offer. With Richard Bradley, Matt Howson and Alex Imperatori at the wheel of the No. 47, KCMG clinched its third win of the season – 23rd success of the ORECA chassis in LM P2 ! With Nicolas Minassian, Maurizio Mediani and Sergey Zlobin at the wheel of the No. 27, SMP Racing came second that day and notched up the two titles in play. Firstly the Teams Trophy, secondly the Drivers’ title, Sergey Zlobin becoming the first Russian driver to win that FIA World Championship’s title. In charge of preparing SMP’s and KCMG’s Nissan V8, ORECA’s engine department contributed to those successes as well.
Hugues de Chaunac : « One can say it’s a success story ! »
The last fifteen minutes of the 6 Hours of Bahrain were terrible for SMP Racing. Just as the Russian team was confirming its virtual leadership regarding the FIA LM P2 Trophy, it unfortunately had to pull out due to a contact with another car. On the starting grid of the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, all title hopes had practically vanished. However, following on a race marked by many unexpected events, including the retirement of the Ligier No. 26 because of a mechanical breakdown, SMP Racing was about to experience a stressful race, encountering several problems on both cars, amongst which flat tyres. While the No. 37 had to withdraw after having completed 136 laps, Nicolas Minassian, Maurizio Mediani and Sergey Zlobin’s No. 27 crossed the finish line second. That was enough to rack up both titles !
On the second row of the starting grid, KCMG took the lead of the LM P2 class right after the first lap. The Asian team also had to negotiate many obstacles on the way, and most particularly after a contact with the safety rail which required to change the front splitter. Despite that incident, Richard Bradley, Matt Howson and Alex Imperatori came first, offering KCMG its third win this year !
For ORECA and its customer-competition department, the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo will remain as a very important moment. While ORECA’s chassis achieved a 23rd success since its debut in 2011, the ORECA 03R was also crowned in the FIA World Endurance Championship following on its many titles in the European Le Mans Series. That car will try to keep on being successful in 2015, while the ORECA 05 will be competing at its sides. That LM P2 new coupé designed by ORECA Technology will be taking its first steps during the first term.
« Our customer teams and ORECA members have gone through all kinds of emotions in Brazil. Though we hoped for the title with TOYOTA Racing, to which we do bring our support, both LM P2 titles seemed difficult to attain before the start of the race. But every body believed it was possible. Hard work and determination have paid off. It shows that one should never give up. » explains Hugues de Chaunac. « We are so happy for KCMG and SMP Racing. They’ve come to the end of a fantastic year. KCMG chose ORECA’s chassis during the last winter and we are pleased to see that it has lead to many victories. They are a high-quality ambitious team and I am convinced that a successful future is awaiting them. SMP Racing has always been well-ranked and that’s what’s made the difference in the championship as a whole. One often mentions about collective successes, that’s exactly what those titles stand for.
« Those 23 wins and two titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship, adding to the European Le Mans Series titles, show the high qualities of our ORECA chassis, of our Technology department’s and Engine department’s know-how. One can say it’s a success story ! In 2015, the arrival of the ORECA 05 will bring something different to the table, but the ORECA 03R will still be a very competitive car and will continue to improve. Competing alongside one another, those two prototypes will have a good part to play next year. »
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