Aubervilliers, 12 March 2012. Next weekend sees the dawning of a new era in sports car and GT endurance racing. The opening round of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship – a collaboration between the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) – takes place in Sebring, Florida and the new series is one in which Motul is wholly involved.
Known worldwide for the formulation, development and production of world-class endurance lubricants, Motul has enjoyed a long relationship with the ACO and Le Mans. The WEC is an eight-round intercontinental championship which covers North and South America, Europe, the Middle and Far East and includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. It kicks off with the 12 Hours of Sebring on Saturday, 17th March and is a perfect showcase for Motul’s lubricants, combining challenging ambient and track temperatures, endurance and environmental conditions.
The historic, Florida race, also the opening round of the American Le Mans Series, takes place on a punishing, bumpy track and is considered by many as the best test and preparation for Le Mans as well as an opportunity to measure up against the competition. With 63 entries, spread amongst four classes – LMP1, LMP2, GTE-Pro and GTE-Am – the racing will be fast and intense. Motul will be one of few companies represented in all classes through its association with teams encompassing Pescarolo (LMP1), Greaves Motorsport and Pecom Racing (LMP2), Luxury Racing (GTE-Pro) and Larbre Compétition (GTE-Am).
Pecom and Luxury are new to the Motul stable and both have impressive driver line ups and team structures. The LMP2 Oreca-Nissan car will be using an experimental lubricant, tailor-made with NISMO for the LMP2 NISMO V8 engine: the 2181E. Meanwhile, the Luxury Ferrari 458 Italia GT will be using the latest 0W20 from the 300V Motul product range, the oil dedicated to racing. Endurance racing remains a vital component in the company’s 2012 motorsport marketing strategy.
Images : © David Reygondeau & Julien Philippy
