2014 ORECA 03R Pilots: R. Rast, J. Charouz, V. Capillaire Team: Sébastien Loeb Racing Race: 8th overall (4th in LMP2 class) at Le Mans in 2014 Spark - S4210 (resin)
Published 05/11/18
Oreca O3 #26 (12/15/17):
The ORECA 03 was a LMP2 car built by ORECA specifically to comply with ACO’s 2011 regulations. That meant that the chassis + gearbox couldn’t cost more than €345,000 and that engines had to be production-based. The basis of the 03 was a light carbon fiber monocoque chassis with an open top bodywork. Basically, the same body and aero package used in ORECA’s LMP1 works car of 2009 and 2010. Suspension is provided by double wishbones and push rods on all four wheels, while stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic disc brakes. The engine was Nissan’s 4494 cm³ VK45DE, a naturally aspirated V8 with DOHC and 32 valves that delivered 460 hp.
For 2014, the French manufacturer updated the 03 with a new aerodynamic package. This new car was the 03R. The chassis is basically the same of the original 03 with just a few tweaks. And for the power plant, Nissan is still the engine supplier (same VK45DE). A total of seven (!) teams used the new car in the 2014 24 Heures du Mans, and one of them was Sébastien Loeb Racing. Yep, that rally pilot extraordinaire Sébastien Loeb, in 2012. At Le Mans that year, car #24 was able to finish 4th in class, coming in 8th overall.
As you can see, a MUCH better model than my previous review. Well, a model better than the Chiron is not exactly a compliment, but an obligation. However, I’m sure this is not a car for everyone, only for the Le Mans nut. Being honest, it’s kind of a “generic LMP2”. In 1:43 the 03R #24 frankly just a little better (marginally, really), than my 03 from Ixo. What really tells them apart is the shark fin, but in terms of “extra” detailing there isn’t much to brag about the Spark.