Race 1
The Team ORECA-Matmut-AIM was third quickest in qualifying and scored another podium finish in the first round of the Asian Le Mans Series. At Okayama, Nicolas Lapierre and Loïc Duval were always in the top 3 : they dominated the first hour of the race and had a good scrap with the Lola-Aston Martin and the Pescarolo. The two drivers, who both set excellent times, saw the flag in second place only a few seconds behind the winner after 500 kms racing. All 3 cars will do battle again tomorrow.
Race 1. Nicolas Lapierre made a good start from third spot on the grid and passed the Pescarolo. After fending off the Lola-Aston Martin he began to pull in the Drayson Lola-Judd, and took the lead on lap 19. The ORECA 01-AIM stayed in front till the end of the first hour. Nicolas rejoined in second place after the first round of refuelling stops. He caught the Lola-Aston and put pressure on the British car. But he was unable to find an opening due to the power of the Aston Martin engine, and ended his second stint a few tenths behind. Loïc lost a few seconds when he rejoined for his first stint, and went out in third place. He closed the gap to the leaders, and got up into second a few minutes before the end of the race after the Lola-Aston Martin refuelled.
Nicolas Lapierre, 2nd (ORECA 01) : « As the meeting has two races, it was important not to make any mistakes in the first round. We didn’t and we finished second. We lost a little time in the pits, and that’s what cost us victory. Our car’s quick and pleasant to driive. We just needed that little bit of luck. Being on the podium’s a good result and there’s still another rrace. We’ll do the sums tomorrow. »
Loïc Duval, 2nd (ORECA 01) : « I’m happy to be on the podium, but a little disappointed not to be on the topmost step. We lost a few precious seconds just as I rejoined. Then I pushed like crazy and I closed the gap, but overtaking here’s impossible unless the driver in front makes a mistake. The end was more difficult but overall it was a good performance. We’ll try and win tomorrow! »
Race 2
The ORECA 01 was one of the front-runners on its engine supplier’s home turf in the first Asian Le Mans Series. Nicolas Lapierre and Loïc Duval fought for victory in both rounds. On Saturday, they finished second and today they were again among the quickest drivers on the track, and had a better strategy. The team decided to make one less stop than its rivals. Unfortunately, bad luck struck the French outfit when a lump of rubber from a tyre blocked the air intake causing the engine to cut out. Without this bizarre incident, the Team ORECA-Matmut-AIM would have been in a position to fight for the topmost step of the podium, and first place overall in the Asian Le Mans Series final classification
Race 2. The ORECA 01 started from third place and was hemmed in by the Pescarolo, which the Lola-Aston Martin took advantage of pushing Nicolas back to fourth. He maintained the same pace as the leaders while nursing his fuel consumption. After a very quick first pit stop, Loïc rejoined in second place neck and neck with the Pescarolo. He was unable to keep it despite his evident fighting spirit. A lump of rubber got stuck in the air intake and caused the engine to cut out, so he had to pit. He rejoined in sixth place with the bit between his teeth, and overtook the no.14 Audi and the no.87 Lola-Judd followed by the second of the Audis putting him back in the top three. He stayed in the car for a second stint and tried to close the gap. He brought down the gap from 1 minute to 2 seconds after a splash & dash by his rival a few minutes before the flag.
Hugues de Chaunac, ORECA Group President : « Two podiums in two races is a positive result The ORECA 01 again showed its competitiveness and the progress we’ve made during the 2009 season. Nicolas and Loïc fought for victory in both races, and we could have won had it not been for a lump of rubber that got stuck in the air intake. We had a great strategy, but this problem forced the car to do a slow lap and then pit. Despite everything, the team’s made another step forward and we’re now looking to 2010. »
Source : ORECA