Rebellion Racing could clinch victory in the LMP1 teams’ championship of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) this weekend at the Six Hours of Fuji, the seventh round of the championship.
After a season long battle with Strakka Racing Rebellion Racing begin the race in Japan with a 37 point lead. With just 25 points on offer for the winners the best of Rebellion’s two Toyota engine Lola Coupes need only finish second to Strakka to give them an unassailable lead before the finale race of the year in China.
The potential for the decisive showdown in the shadow of Mount Fuji is made all the more meaningful, firstly because the race at Fuji International Speedway is close to where the team’s Toyota powerplants are built and secondly because the rivalry with Strakka Racing and fellow LMP1 privateers JRM puts Toyota up against Honda, in the form of the HPD powered ARX-03a chassis used by both of the British teams.
After problems in the build-up to the most recent race in Bahrain the team’s #13 chassis has been fully repaired, the mechanic’s work at Fuji starting early having to rebuild the car for Andrea Belicchi and Harold Primat. Neel Jani and Nico Prost will, as usual, share the sister #12 car.
“We are closer than ever to winning the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP1 teams,” said team manager Bart Hayden. “But nothing is final, yet. The spare chassis has been repaired in the UK and is now being completely rebuilt at the Fuji circuit here in Japan to race as car #13. It’s a big job for the team to complete before being able to race in the 6 Hours of Fuji. However, we’re all very happy to be racing here in Japan and also as motivated as ever to get the team trophy win.