Dumas completes initial Norma M30 LMP3 test

Reigning 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Romain Dumas has completed the initial testing of the new M30 LMP3 chassis for French prototype constructor Norma. With its runs at the Nogaro and Pau circuits complete, the manufacturer shipped the first M30 to Florida, where it is expected to compete in the new-look IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented By Mazda at Sebring.

"These tests were great and very positive, I can't say [it] any other way," Dumas remarked. "The car's reliability is just exemplary and impressive. I was really impressed and surprised to see the high quality of finish of the car."

Production of the M30 fell behind schedule, which led to Norma producing and testing its first car just weeks before the Prototype Challenge events that will serve as support races for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 16-18.

"To be honest, this situation is not very comfortable for sure, and we work hard to deliver the cars that have been ordered as soon as possible," said company founder Norbert Santos. "It was very important for us to validate the results of our work on the car, before we would deliver any car to any team. This is now done, and we are entering a new challenge for the Norma team as well as for our suppliers and sub-contractors. On the other hand it is also a new challenge for the teams that have trusted us in the past months; they were present even if the car did not exist yet. We really respect their attention and their patience, as we know, this time of the year is stressful for them too.

"At the same time, we are now sure that the Norma M30 will respond to their expectations. One car is already in Florida, USA, to prepare for the IMSA Championship. The other M30s will be delivered in the coming weeks; we have been paying attention to the different calendars of course. Be sure, we do our best!"

As many as five unique LMP3 models could take part in the Prototype Challenge Presented By Mazda launch at Sebring.