IMSA Performance Matmut Announce 2012 Programmes

After a 2011 campaign in which the effort was focused around the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours IMSA Performance are fielding a triple programme in 2012.

The team, owned jointly by Frank Rava and Raymond Narac start the year as defending champions in the LM GTE Am class in the Le Mans Series.  Theteam will defend that title in the newly renamed European Le Mans Series with a single 2011 spec porsche 997 GT3 RSR entered for Nicolas Armindo and Anthony Pons, Pons is the new boy to this level but won a title in VdeV last year with Raymond Narac.

Narac will join the full season ELMS pair for the Le Mans 24 Hours but will have his own full season campaign in the International GT Open where he will shae a new 2012 spec Porsche with factory driver Patrick Pilet.

There’s still the possibility of a second car at Le Mans too, the team’s GTE Pro car stands at the moment as first GT reserve,

Franck Rava Team manager

Why did you choose to go to the GT Open?

"We're back in GT Open because it's a very tough championship, where Ferrari have dominated for quite some time so we have a nice challenge to overcome. It will also give us an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the new RSR, we have entered GT Open in liaison with the factory and we want to take on exciting challenges.

“The GT Open is wonderful: We want to beat Ferrari and will have Manthey Racing also there with a new Porsche and a superb crew."

You will use the latest specification of the 997 RSR?

"Yes. The car is wider than the 2011 version with air inlets on the sides of the rear wheel arches, it looks very different.”

Tell us about the ELMS title defence?

"It's a title we will defend with a different crew because Raymond will be there only twice (the first two races) alongside Nicolas Armindo and Anthony Pons. For Anthony, we are taking him to a new level. Nicolas will be mentoring him with an  objective to retain the GTE Am title. Let's not forget that there are two invitations to the 2013 24 Hours of Mans at stake! "

Nicolas Armindo will have a new role in the program ELMS?

"Because Patrick (Pilet) will focus on the GT Open, Nicolas’s main mission will prepare Anthony for long distance races and of course for Le Mans, where they will be joined by Raymond and will have a major challenge from some other excellent crews so there is a huge preparation for Le Mans."

For the GTE-Am programme you have a 2011 chassis?

"That's correct. This will be the one with which we finished fifth of 24 Hours of Le Mans last year."

Where do you stand on the possibkle entry with the second car at Le Mans?

"We can potentially wait until the Wednesday before the 24 Hours depending on what happens between now and then, but the first deadline is April 11, by then competitors must have confirmed their commitment. "

Do you already a crew for that second car?

"The choice will be made with Porsche, of course, but we know that if the car rolls, Patrick Pilet will of course be with us. Whatever happens we will have a 100% pro because the level in the category will be absolutely excellent."

What are the objectives for these three programs?

"Victory in each! At Le Mans in ELMS and GT Open. We have the means to achieve it."