Okayama: Duval with Oreca

Loïc duval, after winning the 2009 Formula Nippon title, notably beating Benoit Tréluyer, will enhance his season with an Asian endurance race. The Frenchman was called by Oreca to support Nicolas lapierre for the two Okayama races, the only meeting of this first edition of the Asian Le Mans Series.

The Var team reuses the strategy used at Petit Le Mans, calling on a driver who knows the country and the circuit. After Romain Dumas at Road Atlanta two weeks ago, Loïc Duval takes over this role at Okayama, from October 30 to November 1.

« Loïc meets all the qualities required to be associated with Nicolas » explains Hugues de Chaunac. “ He is talented, as demonstrated by his track record and more particularly his recent Formula Nippon title. His performances in Japan speak doubly in his favor: on the one hand, he is a recognized pilot; on the other hand, he knows the Japanese routes, including Okayama. For the team, which will discover this track, it will be an interesting gain in experience. Like Nicolas, he demonstrates qualities both in sprinting and in endurance since he has regularly run in car and has already taken the wheel of an LMP1 »

Another advantage, Loïc Duval is not unknown to Oreca since the driver has already raced with the Signes team during the 24 2008 Hours of Le Mans, placing eighth. Loïc Duval will be associated with Nicolas Lapierre for the two Okayama 500 km races.