HPD (Honda Performance Development) and Team Penske have decided to put their trust in ORECA for their future endurance programme. Indeed, during the upcoming months, Honda’s branch in Northern America will be developing a DPi prototype (Daytona Prototype International) based on the ORECA 07 – winner of the latest 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Through its premium brand Acura, Honda will be the fourth manufacturer to enter the DPi class, benefiting from ORECA’s know-how in race car manufacturing to take on new sporting challenges and looking to further extend its prize list, which comprises titles clinched over the last years in the American Le Mans Series, in the Le Mans Series and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Japanese manufacturer will also be working with prestigious Team Penske, worldly famous for its many success in Indy Car, NASCAR and endurance and particularly well-known for having garnered 16 successes at the Indianapolis 500. Based in North Carolina, the team, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, has also won the 24 Hours of Daytona as well as the 12 Hours of Sebring several times.
Together with HPD and Team Penske, ORECA is now getting ready for a new fantastic challenge in Northern America, a continent the company particularly loves. Establishing this partnership with two great motorsport players also opens new horizons in the young career of the ORECA 07, which for the first time is about to be used as a base for the developments of a DPi prototype.
Hugues de Chaunac (ORECA’s CEO)
“ORECA Group is delighted to have been chosen by Honda Performance Development (HDP) for their new DPi programme in America. Over its first months of competition, the ORECA 07 has clinched particularly outstanding results, whether at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in the FIA WEC, the IMSA or the ELMS. The fact that such a manufacturer as Acura has decided to base their future prototype on our model is an acknowledgement of the work we’ve conducted. There are many assets in the DPi class and we’re really enthusiastic about this new project, especially with Team Penske. This prestigious team has got a great history, and such a prize list… with Honda’s involvement, that’s many new responsibilities for us. It’ll be an important challenge, and that’s exactly what we like at ORECA. We will be humble in our approach, yet ambitious.”
David Floury (Director of ORECA Technology)
“Everybody at ORECA is really pleased and looking forward to taking part in this great project. It’s a real honour to have been picked as a chassis partner by HPD and Penske: both have got an amazing history in motorsport! We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us but as always, we’re ready to take on the challenge.”
About HPD
Based in Santa Clarita, California, USA. Founded in 1993.
• 24 Hours of Le Mans LM P2 Winner in 2010 and 2012
• 8 ALMS titles between 2009 and 2013
• 1 ELMS title in 2010
• 1 FIA WEC title in 2012
About Penske
Based in Mooresville, North Carolina, USA. Founded in 1966.
• 16 wins in the Indianapolis 500
• Over 450 wins and 500 pole positions across all competitions (Endurance, NASCAR, F1, Indy car…)
• Several wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring
