On 23 and 24 February, team Thiriet by TDS Racing travelled to the Paul Ricard circuit to carry out tests organised by Oreca's client-racing department so as to discover the 2012 developments made to the Oreca 03-Nissan LMP2, and to test the newly fitted Dunlop tyres. The team, supported since its beginnings in Endurance by Motul, distinguished itself last year by finishing 3rd in the Le Mans Series Championship. In 2012, in addition to the ELMS, the French team will participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for which it has been selected for the first time! Pierre Thiriet and Swiss driver Mathias Beche took turns at the wheel: 'The 2012 season is off to a start at last', commented the latter. 'After cancellation of the first tests owing to snow, work conditions were then optimal to get back on track. (...) Oreca has done fantastic work to adapt the 03 to the 2012 regulations. The car's behaviour is very good, it's promising. (...) As for the engine, our partnership with Nissan allows us to have a very solid package'. The next scheduled event consists in the official tests of the European Le Mans Series, on 9 and 10 March in Le Castellet, followed on 31 March and 1 April by the 6 Hours of Le Castellet.
With the line-up of teams and drivers, this championship promises to be very open and competitive. A fine show in view!
Image : © Gaaz Master
