Hugues de Chaunac appeared on this evening’s Midweek Motorsport on www.radiolemans.com to talk about the track test debut of the new Oreca 05, and was happy to answer questions too about the controversial new proposals for the 2017 LMP2 regulations.
de Chaunac describes the 065 as having only “3-4% of common components with the 03” and was reported by one well informed observer as already reliable (500km completed in what was effectively initially planned as a roll-out/ shakedown run), already on the pace of the current Oreca 03-R (with a car present at the test) and with a straight line speed advantage the early races of this season are going to be very interesting indeed with the performance upgraded earlier open top offerings from Oreca, Onroak and Gibson matched against the Ligier Coupes and new coupes debuting from HPD, Dome, SMP/ BR and Oreca.
There is though some irony that if future regulations are enacted as drafted and proposed this will be the last time we can look forward to such variety.
de Chaunac though was clearly in full support of the proposal to reduce the current number of chassis manufacturers from an open marketplace (with six different manufacturers currently represented in ACO rules racing and others expressing interest in joining) to a mandated and licensed maximum of four, one (at least) of which would be based in North America.
“It is an acknowledgment of the economic situation,” Hugues told Radio Le Mans’ John Hindhaugh. “It is better to have a smaller number of commercial manufacturers than to allow teams to effectively build cars for themselves.
On the subject of potential savings to the teams de Chaunac offered the opinion that the current cost cap would not be reduced if the new regulations were ratified, he confirmed too that Oreca would seek selection as a chassis manufacturer and would not bid to be the drivetrain supplier (the proposal forbids any company from operating for both).
Hugues added that he “expects to know more at the next meeting with the FIA and ACO at the end of this month (during the ELMS/ WEC tests at Paul Ricard).
The proposal though, he felt, was likely to be ratified and then put into action very quickly, with the chassis manufacturer selection taking place this summer (June/ July)
There was no guidance on offer on more detailed proposals, including whether there would be licensing or franchise fees levied on the selected manufacturers and whether these would be passed on to customers.
Hugues did though say that he expected Oreca to be successful in the process, perhaps not a surprising conclusion with the number of Oreca chassis currently racing.
The Midweek Motorsport podcast will be downloadable after broadcast tonight from www.radiolemans.com
