IDEC Sport will race in 2024 in the colours of Matra in the 50th anniversary season of the brands last overall win at Le Mans when the Matra MS670C took the third consecutive win for the factory team with Henri Pescarolo and Gérard Larrousse.
The LMP2 squad revealed the new livery for their #28 Oreca 07 Gibson, produced in partnership with Matra, this morning. On this occasion, the managers of the two brands, Patrice Lafargue and Grégory Trebaol, as well as IDEC SPORT drivers Paul Lafargue, Reshad de Gerus and Job Van Uitert were present. The same livery will also adorn the tem’s Michelin Le mans Cup Ligier JS P320 for Patrice Lafargue and Dino Lunardi.
Paul Lafargue was personally involved in the creation of the livery: “We started from the 70s, with the famous blue, which we wanted to be modern and deep. We therefore opted for the metallic side. There is also the white line on the side and the white cockpit, which we could see on the Matras of the time. There was green, red and yellow to differentiate them, we chose gold. It’s a tribute to victory, to medals, to trophies. To apply these choices, we were divided, we were thinking of something modern, which can be found in LMP2, or retro to respect the history of Matra. We decided to have a good mix. I think the car will perform well on the track. I like the result, it’s still classy and I’ll be proud to ride in it. The objective was not to surprise, but to rekindle a flame. We just want to update and evolve the brand to bring it back into current endurance.”
Emilie Rambonona, Deputy Managing Director of Rebirth: “We wanted to recapture the spirit of the Matra team during the three victories of ’72, ’73 and ’74. We took the emblematic blue, which we associated with gold, which is synonymous with victory. It’s sober, like Matra, which focused mainly on performance. We have a heritage, so it gives us ideas, and we capitalize on it. The main message is that we want to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Matra’s last victory at Le Mans. We already feel enthusiasm, internally, within Rebirth, but also externally with all the stakeholders with whom we work.”
Patrice Lafargue, President of the IDEC Group and IDEC SPORT driver: “Basically, we only thought about the LMP2, and then finally we decided to include the LMP3 and to give it the same design as its big sister. I was already very excited to have a car from the team badged Matra, with all the symbolism that implies. But that means that I too will be racing under the colours of this beautiful brand and that’s a real source of pride. I think it’s superb and I can’t wait to present it to everyone who supports IDEC SPORT. »
Grégory Trebaol, CEO of Rebirth and owner of Matra: “It’s great to see the cars with our colours. We announced the partnership with Rétromobile and there it became very concrete. History meets current events. Even if there is still room to develop this adventure even further, we can say that 50 years after the last victory at Le Mans, Matra will be back in the European Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I am convinced that this presentation is the start of a beautiful communion with the fans.”
Pics: IDEC Sport, European Le Mans Series and Racingsportscars
