Photo : LAURENT CARTALADE / VSA

 

What are your impressions of your 2014 ELMS season?
Franck Rava: "It was a difficult year! The version 2011/2012 Porsches are at the end of their development opportunities relative to the Balance of Performance. We cannot go any further, it is complicated! In the beginning of the season, we were able to battle our adversaries but as the races went on, the gap got bigger even though it was the same car. However, we had more and more advantages, so it should have been better and a closer fight. But that was not the case unfortunately."

A few months ago, you competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What do you remember about the 2014 edition? 
"In Le Mans, the No. 76 car was competitive and the team strong (Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo and David Hallyday, editor's note). This year, we lacked that little bit of luck to get us a good result at the 24 Hours. We had a flat tyre in the beginning of the race and it hurt us. We were able to rally at the finish (11th in LM GTE Am, editor's note) but we were never able to fight for the top spots. It is a little frustrating because we had the technical. staff and driver means to look for a podium finish. Then with the second car (the No. 67 of Jean-Marc Merlin, Erik Maris and Éric Hélary, editor's note), the goal was to finish the race. The driver line-up finished 13th, so we are satisfied."

Even though it is still early, what are IMSA Performance Matmut's projects for the 2015 season? Will you have the Porsche 911 RSR?
"Everything is in negotiations for 2015. We are even ready to change manufacturer. The problem with the current market is the strong cars are too expensive and the others, those that are more affordable, are not competitive against the competition. As to the Porsche 911 RSR, it is not that it is too pricey for us, it is that it is too costly relative to its shelf-life. The investment for it is nearly 30% more than for a Ferrari and, in the ELMS, a Ferrari is in the lead. For now, that level of investment fails to justify itself!"

Nevertheless, would you like to include the 24 Hours of Le Mans in your program next year? 
"We have already participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 10 times and with Porsche. Not to do Le Mans would be frustrating. Not to do Le Mans with Porsche would be a shame, but perhaps we could enter another car!"

Propos recueillis par David Bristol / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, WEDNESDAY JUNE 11 2014, FREE PRACTICE. The season was split up between the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the ELMS and the France GT Championship for the IMSA Performance Matmut team.