French car builders extraordinaire ORECA have said they are on track with the development of Swiss team Rebellion Racing‘s 2014 challenger.
The two R-ONEs, which will compete in the LMP1-L category for non hybrid machinery, is on course to turn it’s first laps at Paul Ricard – a test teams have to run at if they wish to compete in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season.
Bart Hayden, Team Manager for Rebellion Racing, said: “We are pleased that the project is on schedule. Our engineers are working closely with the project team at ORECA and the drivers are already involved in validating elements of the design, as witnessed by the interior ergonomics validation in the chassis mock-up. We are already making plans for the Rebellion Racing mechanics to be involved in the assembly of the cars in the new year and are targeting the first roll-out in the middle of March. It’s a tight schedule, but it is achievable and we are giving it our due focus.”
Three cars are going to be built by the team and the French constructors, but only two will be raced with the third acting as a back up should it be needed.
With car parts starting to be fabricated several weeks ago, Rebellion driver Nicolas Prost went to the ORECA factory in Signes to test cockpit ergonomics and see the build in progress.
“I am extremely pleased to be involved in the R-One project. It’s really exciting to have been associated with the project from the first meeting. Being part of the development of a new car is technically very interesting and it is enjoyable to input some personal views and experiences towards the design of some of the parts. On a more personal side, it is really nice to work again with ORECA with whom I raced my first 24 Heures du Mans in 2007 and before that in Formula Renault.” commented Prost.
