IDEC is a new team created in 2015. After a promising season in the 24-Hour Series (victory in the 997 category) and the French VdeV Championship (second overall in the Proto Endurance Challenge and third in the Prestige Prototype Endurance Challenge), the French team is joining the European Le Mans Series with a Ligier JSP2 chassis powered by a Judd engine. DSC talked to team manager Jean-Noel Le Gall about the team’s ambitions for 2016 and beyond.
You are the only team this season to combine a Ligier JSP2 chassis and a Judd engine. What were the reasons for that choice?
JNLG: We used Ligiers in the VdeV championship last year. We know Onroak and Sebastien Metz’s people quite well. They supported us brilliantly last season. It was a very logical choice to go for a brand new Ligier JSP2. Our choice of Judd was also driven by our knowledge of the men in that team and the development work that was accomplished over the winter. This engine might very well stand out this season.
Another interesting decision was the choice of Michelin tires…
JNLG: We’re a French team… [so there’s] nothing more natural than to have them support us. Patriotic considerations set aside, they developed their LMP2 tire a lot last season and over the winter. We all know how good they are under the rain… let’s hope Silverstone (or even Estoril) lives up to its reputation [laughter]. But don’t underestimate where they stand under dry conditions. We could be in for some surprises this year.
IDEC is not just involved in the ELMS this year. What are the other championships in which your team is engaged?
JNLG: It’s going to be a very busy year for us, as we are committed to three different championships with four cars. Along the ELMS, we are again racing two Ligier JS53 and one Porsche 991 GT3 in the VdeV Championship. We are also committed to the 24-Hour Series with a brand new Mercedes AMG GT3. It is undoubtedly very challenging for a small team of fourteen people. The only championship in which we allow ourselves to have a year of learning is the ELMS. In all the other championships, we are there to win, nothing less. Our really encouraging results in 2015 have demonstrated that this is a realistic ambition.
Can you tell us about your driver line-up in the ELMS ?
JNLG: We’ll have Patrice and his son, Paul Lafargue. We’re still reviewing our options for a third driver, it’s too early to tell you whom that will be. Patrice and Paul will also be competing in the 24-Hour Series with Gabriel Abergel on the Mercedes AMG GT3.
Buying a new car on the eve of a full change of regulations is quite brave. What is your long-term ambition in LMP2?
JNLG Don’t believe for a single moment that we’re in the ELMS to watch others race. The CEO of IDEC Patrice Lafargue is quite ambitious when it comes to our team, and he is heavily committed to this project. We’ll get a new car and a new engine again next year in order to comply with the new ACO set of regulations. That said, we cleary intend to be selected for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2017.
Mat Fernandez (@matlemans)
