Oreca team returns for Petit LeMans

Oreca car earlier this year

Only days after Peugeot made official its entry into the 12th annual Petit Le Mans Powered by MAZDA6, SPEEDtv.com is reporting Team ORECA Matmut AIM plans to enter the American Le Mans Series’ cornerstone event. The 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance classic is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at Road Atlanta and now includes two of Europe’s most elite prototype operations.

One of ORECA’s LMP1 entries placed fifth overall at this year’s running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The result put the petrol-powered prototype ahead of four diesel P1s, a remarkable accomplishment for the French team.

ORECA has not competed in the American Le Mans Series since 2000 when it fielded the factory Dodge Vipers in GTS. The results: 16 class victories, five class championships: two driver titles for Olivier Beretta, a pair of team championships for ORECA and a manufacturer crown for Daimler-Chrysler in 1999.

“In the context of the third year of the Le Mans challenge, we must progress and this event will enable us to move up a step," team owner Hughes de Chaunac said on SPEEDtv.com “It’s longer – 1.000 miles or 10 hours – on one of the most demanding circuits in America, and we’ll be taking on Acura. It’ll be a good yardstick, as it’s a manufacturer which is running to the same regulations as us. As its name implies, the Petit Le Mans will provide top-class preparation for the next Le Mans 24 Hours."

Tuesday, Peugeot confirmed two of its diesel-powered LMP1 coupes for the race.

Tickets for the 12th annual Petit Le Mans Powered by MAZDA6 are available by calling (800) 849-RACE or online at roadatlanta.com.