WEC: ORECA confirms two teams for new 05 chassis

French prototype constructor ORECA has confirmed World Endurance Championship LMP2 contenders KCMG will use their new 05 P2 coupe this season in the WEC, and the Thiriet by TDS Racing outfit will campaign a 05 in the European Le Mans Series, adding to the expanding roster of P2 coupes expected to compete in 2015.

“The ORECA 05 fits into the line of ORECA’s strategy of development as a manufacturer with an operational plan spread over many years” said ORECA technical director David Floury. “The ORECA 03 has been so successful and its history has not come to an end yet. The aim is for the ORECA 05 to maintain that momentum... and to win Le Mans. We’re on a mission! This is an ambitious program, on all levels, but Le Mans is clearly a priority for us, just like the USA in early 2016.”

Working with the ACO, and based on a bit of forecasting, the 05 was designed to be a viable option for continued use once the new-for-2017 regulations are revealed.

“It’s a very important car for ORECA. We have done this car to make it immediately available for the USA or Europe, and they can invest in a five-or six-year car,” ORECA founder Hugues de Chaunac told RACER. “That is one of the key points. It’s not just for 2015 or 2016. We reduced the overall width to comply with the 2017 regulations, and to help with safety, our tub complies to the complete P1 regulations. We want teams to see the long investment possibilities with this car.”

Of note, ORECA worked on significant weight reductions throughout the 05 to allow the use of ballast in key locations, and the car was also designed to meet the narrower width guidelines expected to be ratified for the 2017 P2 regulations. The 05 is a slim 1900mm wide (74.8 in), down from the 2000mm (78.7in).

“Technically, we’ve made decisions for the future, and not only in terms of safety,” Floury added. “Choices regarding the width of the car for instance also illustrate that. Generally speaking, the study consisted in conducting an important work on details. We’ve looked to optimize as many things as possible. In terms of the car’s weight for instance we think that our approach is a radical one compare to our rivals. We’ve paid attention to the teams’ observations and feedback, as we wish to establish solid relationships while strengthening existing bonds. We’re embarking on a project that will take us up to 2020, that goes to show how important it is!”

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De Chaunac says ORECA intends to keep its production run somewhat limited with the 05 to better serve their current and future customers.

“Another target is we aren’t trying to sell a lot of cars,” he noted. “We want fewer customers, more quality relationships, than big business. We want six customers to work very closely with, to have heavy involvement with, instead of 10 or 12 where we cannot be as close.”

ORECA’s plans to establish a technical center in North Carolina to support its expanding operation in the U.S. should also benefit any customers for the 05 they acquire in IMSA’s TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

“We are targeting the top DP teams to work with ORECA so they can and get to know us, the technical team, our engineering support, our customer support,” de Chaunac explained. “We met with many teams at Daytona, and I will meet with more at Sebring. The P2 cars are replacing the DP, and soon to win the 24 Hours of Daytona, you will need the best car and the best manufacturer support. ORECA would like to be that partner for DP teams.”​