Rebellion Racing has confirmed that it will run a pair of ORECA 07 chassis in the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship.
The Anglo-Swiss squad announced its move from the LMP1 privateer ranks to the LMP2 category last month.
The deal marks a continuation of Rebellion Racing’s partnership with the same French manufacturer that built the team’s existing fleet of R-One LMP1 cars in 2014.
“After our decision to quit the LMP1 privateer class after many years of success, we have carefully weighted all the available chassis options,” said team principal Alexandre Pesci.
“Very soon it appeared that ORECA was the best choice for us to make, we are very happy with the Rebellion R-One they built for us and our working relationship was second to none, an ORECA chassis has won the LMP2 WEC class this year and I am confident that the new ORECA 07 will continue to dominate the LMP2 category in the near future.”
From 2017, four chassis manufacturers will be available to teams wishing to compete in the LMP2 class of the WEC.
Eligible cars include the ORECA 07, Ligier JSP217, Riley Mk.30 and the as-yet-unnamed chassis built by Dallara, with engines supplied by Gibson.
The ORECA 07 recently started its winter testing schedule ahead of its race debut at the 6 Hours of Silverstone next April.
The semi-spec nature of the revised LMP2 category, plus an increase in pace with cars carrying up to 500 horsepower, will make for attractive racing next year, according to Rebellion Racing team manager Bart Hayden.
“The 2017 LMP2 races are going to be ultra competitive and that makes choosing the right chassis partner very important,” he said.
“With the R-Ones, we have appreciated the skill of the ORECA designers and we have witnessed the success of their “05” LMP2 chassis, so it was almost a logical choice for us to continue our association together. We are excited by this new challenge and are looking forward to getting our hands on the first of our new cars.”
ORECA president Hugues de Chaunac added: “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Rebellion Racing. After the success and the great challenge with the R-One, it was logical and natural to continue the excellent relationship of work built up over the past years.”
“The arrival of the team in LMP2 is very good news for the category. Rebellion Racing is a team of great quality, with a lot of experience, and it strengthens significantly the LMP2 class.”
“I thank Alexandre Pesci and Bart Hayden for their trust and their choice to run the ORECA 07.”
Rebellion Racing will release further details of its 2017 LMP2 programme in the coming weeks.
