April 18,2000 Oreca Reynard Launched


CHRYSLER AND ORECA ANNOUNCE LE MANS PARTICIPATION

French team ORECA, in conjunction with Chrysler, today (Tuesday 18 April) announced their three-year Le Mans project that will start this season with two Mopar-powered Reynards to compete in the LMP class. Playstation has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with ORECA to support its Le Mans effort. Four-time Le Mans winner Yannick Dalmas joins the team to share the lead LMP with Olivier Beretta and Karl Wendlinger. Drivers of the second car are to be announced at a later date.

Team ORECA will tend to a total of five cars at Le Mans this year. Two Mopar LMPs have been entered into the prototype class, and three Vipers GTS R/T are once again entered to take part in the GTS class that the team won both in 1998 and 1999.

"We are delighted to announce our participation at Le Mans this year with both prototypes and the Vipers" said ORECA Team Director Hugues de Chaunac. "This is the first of a three-year project for the prototype, and is to be treated as a learning one with a view to outright victory in the following years."

For further information: for the USA contact, Dave Elshoff, tel. + 1 248 512 2690 for Europe contact, Cara de Vlaming: tel. + 31 653 463 184












CHRYSLER LE MANS PROTOTYPE MOPAR ENGINE 
Type                    6.0-liter V-8
Construction            Aluminum alloy block, Mopar aluminum heads
Bore and stroke         4.1 in. x 3.3 in. (104.1mm x 83.8mm)
Valve gear              2 valves per cylinder, modified Mopar crankshaft,
                        Pushrod valve actuation with T & D rocker arms
Pistons                 JE pistons, Carrillo rods
Lubrication system      Caldwell oil pump with 1 pressure and 3 scaveger stages
Engine weight           375 lbs. (170kg)
Engine dimensions       Height 23.9 in. (60.7cm)
                        Width 22.8 in. (57.9cm)
                        Length 27.7 in. (70.3cm)


CHRYSLER LE MANS PROTOTYPE REYNARD CHASSIS 
Chassis                 Carbon composite monocoque, nose box, rear chassis, bodywork
Weight                  1984.5 lbs. (900kg)
Track                   63.9 in. (1618mm) front, 63.3 in. (1602mm) rear
Length                  183.7 in. (4650mm)
Height                  41.5 in. (1050mm)
Fuel Capacity           23.76 gal. (90 litres)
Gearbox                 Reynard Gemini six-speed sequential
Tyres                   Michelin 13x18 and 14.5x18
Brakes                  Brembo six-piston racing calipers front and rear
                        Carbone Industrie 15 in. (380mm) carbon discs front
                        Carbone Industrie 14 in. (355mm) carbon discs rear 
Suspension              Independent double wishbone suspension with pushrod 
                        operated damper units

Photos Courtesy of Chrysler Motorsports




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Last updated April.18,2000