Perhaps "big sister"of the new 908 may not have spoken its last word in La Sarthe? Victory in the opening round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011 at Sebring and presence at the test day of 24 hours shows that it is still far from the retirement expected at the end of last year.

On March 19, de Chaunac and his team undoubtedly succeeded in one of the finest moments in the prestigious career of Oreca. The success of Loic Duval, Olivier Panis and Nicolas Lapierre at Sebring gives them an invaluable level of confidence for the 24 Hours of 2011, after a successful 2010 season, but was not always easy. As backup to the Peugeot 908, they will keep a close eye on the performance of the new Audi R18 at the Test Day and will be ready, as in Florida, to take advantage of the slightest failure of the two favourites.

The least we can say is that the 24 Hours 2010 was a bitter pill for Peugeot, with the retirement of its four cars ... Perhaps in 2011, circumstances might allow Oreca to again pull Peugeot's fat out of the fire? If this were the case, what fantastic postscript for a car!

The official test day of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held on the 24th April.

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo: Sebring (Florida, USA), March 19, 2011. Eleven years after the 24 Hours of Daytona, Oreca adds the 12 Hours of Sebring to its record, the other big major event of American endurance racing.