6H Spa: Wednesday Paddock Notes
JCDC new colours
The #38 Jackie Chan DC Racing ORECA 07 Gibson has arrived at Spa with an entirely new colour scheme, the now black and yellow car has all-over backing from watchmaker (and FIA Endurance Commission President) Richard Mille, now a title-sponsor for the car for Spa and Le Mans, in a new commercial partnership with Jota Sport.
More on this programme later this week…
Nato chalks up another LMP2 seat
Norman Nato switches from one TDS Racing-run car to another this weekend as he steps in, quite literally, to Loic Duval’s overalls in the #28 car alongside full-season drivers Francois Perrodo and Matthieu Vaxiviere.
Nato drove for the G-Drive Aurus outfit, also run by TDS Racing, in the ELMS season opener at Paul Ricard last month and has tested for a third LMP2 squad, RLR MSport where he will return for the Le Mans 24 Hours
New chassis coming for ByKolles
The ByKolles CLM Gibson was being fettled in the pit garage today after an apparently fault-free shakedown. The team are busy today looking at the fine details of serviceability of minor components in what is a stop-gap installation.
The team will arrive at Le Mans with a brand new chassis, optimised for the Gibson installation, the car at Spa is the previously NISMO-powered chassis – the sign above the garage has been hurriedly altered to remove any mention of their previous engine partner!
LMP1 Aero
Toyota, SMP Racing and Rebellion are all running their Le Mans spec low-drag bodywork at Spa, Rebellion featuring the new aero kit seen for the first time last week at the Aragon tyre test.
Project 1
Project 1’s recovery from the Sebring fire that totalled their regular WEC car is now complete. The ELMS car that was rushed to the USA is now back and on programme in the ELMS whilst the car that will race with the team this weekend is a brand new chassis.
Aurus to make its WEC debut
The guest appearance from the (full-season ELMS) G-Drive Racing Aurus 01 (ORECA 07) brings another new marque to the FIA WEC for the first time. The atmosphere in the team is one of optimism, and not a little fun, this little missive on the side of the car won’t make it to the race weekend we think!