WEC – Rebellion puts the turbo on with AER

Le Toyota RV8K-LM having had its day, Rebellion Racing and TMG have ended a four-year partnership. In expert opinion, to shine in “private LM P1” in WEC, it is now better to have a turbo engine. So, as we announce to you this week in AUTOhebdo (available here in digital version and from tomorrow on newsstands. Editor's note), after evaluating various options, the Swiss team has sealed an agreement with AER, which will supply it with its twin-turbo V6 codenamed P60. A block already seen last year in the CLM P1/01 fielded by Team Lotus LM P (became ByKolles) and which would present the best power/torque/efficiency compromise.

“We are delighted to formalize our new association with Advanced Engine Research for the 2015 WEC season and beyond, this is excellent news for Rebellion Racing, rejoices team manager Bart Hayden. The AER P60 engine has already demonstrated excellent performance on the track (last year in CLM P1/01. Editor’s note) and we think it will fit the Rebellion R-One chassis perfectly. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Toyota and TMG, who have worked very closely with our team, for all the work they have done since the start of our partnership at the end of 2010. We have appreciated this relationship which has resulted in many category victories and to the general. »

Hopefully this allows the Oreca-designed R-One to get closer to the factory LM P1s. On the other hand, we will have to wait until the 6 Hours of Spa, on May 2, to find out, the Swiss team having informed the organizers of its inability to appear at the Prologue (March 27-28 at Paul-Ricard, and at the 6 Silverstone Hours (April 12). “A significant amount of work to transform the R-One awaits us, so that it can accommodate the P60, and we are determined to do it in the best possible way, continues Bart Hayden. This is the reason why we will not be able to debut our new cars during the opening round at Silverstone. » The ByKolles team, which should be Rebellion Racing's only competitor in the “private LM P1” category, will try to take advantage of this to score big points.

As a reminder, the entry lists for 24 Hours of Le Mans and WEC will be revealed shortly after 15 p.m. Thursday. You can find this week in issue 1997 of AUTOhebdo our forecast list.