Rebellion Racing has chosen Oreca to develop and build a new LMP1 car for the 2014 season.
The partnership will continue Rebellion’s presence in the top class of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The championship will begin a new chapter in its history next season with the introduction of new regulations which will require a fresh approach.
Rebellion Racing team manager Bart Hayden said: “The new regulations for 2014 provide a great opportunity for privateer LMP1 entrants to challenge for overall race wins. We are motivated by the prospect of those victories and having truly established ourselves in the LMP1 category over the past seasons, we want to build upon our success and reach an even higher level.”
In the past two years Rebellion has shown itself as on of the top teams in endurance racing, with the European Le Mans Series title in 2011, best privateer team at both the 2011 and 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, winner of the 2012 Petit Le Mans as well as winning the Private Teams Trophy in the FIA WEC at the end of last season.
Oreca president Hugues de Chaunac said: “Everyone at Oreca is very happy with this partnership with Rebellion Racing. They are a team who have proven their ability in running an LMP1 program and who are ambitious. This project fits perfectly with our developing constructor activities and we are motivated by the idea of doing so with a professional outfit. We share in the desire for a captivating challenge.”
The new technical regulations for 2014 will create lighter cars, but with limited engine performance and fuel flow. Rebellion’s 2014 challenger, which will be christened the Rebellion R-One LM P1, is currently in the design stage and will be unveiled at a later date.
It has been confirmed that the new car will be powered by a Toyota engine, extending the successful partnership started at the end of 2010.
Hayden said: “Rebellion Racing are delighted to be able to commit our future to the LMP1 category at such an early stage. Oreca have a strong record of success and they share our passion for endurance racing. We have much work to do to be ready for the 2014 season, but we are all looking forward to the challenge ahead.“
