Four were the manufacturers tendered by the FIA to design and build the current LMP2 prototypes, the same four that will develop the future generation of vehicles and are supporting manufacturers in the creation of their LMDh as they are based on the same chassis. With everything, ORECA has managed to outshine the rest. The French manufacturer has a near monopoly on the WEC and European Le Mans Series (ELMS) grids, with the Oreca 07-Gibson being the most popular and successful prototype. In fact, hehe presence of Ligier, Multimatic and Dallara in competition is almost testimonial.
The result of dominance in sporting and sales terms since the current generation of LMP2 prototypes was launched in 2017, ORECA has reached a great milestone with the construction of the 100th chassis of the ORECA 07-Gibson. This unit has been delivered to the Cool Racing team, a structure that will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with this car. Nico Lapierre’s team, a regular on the ELMS grid, will be present at the queen round of the World Endurance Championship with a driver line-up made up of Ricky Taylor, Yifei Ye and Niklas Krütten.
The delivery of this ORECA 07-Gibson chassis 100 to the Cool Racing team has not been carried out in any way and the former Toyota driver himself has made a small shakedown with the prototype. LMP2 that for the occasion has worn a special livery, before being vinyled with the colors of the team, in which the number 100 appears in gold both on the front and on the sides of the car. A small, almost symbolic gesture that reflects the enormous success that ORECA has achieved with this prototype
Beyond the actual delivery of this ORECA 07-Gibson chassis 100, we must highlight the role of the French manufacturer in the LMP2 scene worldwide. In fact, you only have to look at the WEC grid to see that ORECA’s LMP2 is the only model present, something that also happens in the ELMS and IMSA. A circumstance that has not been the case since the beginning of this generation of LMP2 prototypes, but that became a trend from the middle of his competitive life.
The launch of the low downforce ‘Le Mans kit’ ended up making the ORECA 07-Gibson the ‘only’ option. Superiority at a sporting -performance- and commercial level that has not changed one of ORECA’s premises, offering a competitive product at an adjusted price. Its design based on the ORECA 05 allowed it to be a cheap car from the first minute, which has led the teams and ORECA itself to make the investment profitable. So, this chassis 100 is so valuable and will be returned after Le Mans to ORECA to remain on display.
Photos: ORECA