TotalMotorSport All the latest Motorsport news, race reports and photographs from around the world. Alms, Touring Cars, Formula One & Le Mans 24 Hours

<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">LE MANS</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">16/01/2001</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Chrysler LMP</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">First Photo</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><img border="1" src="Storage/%20LMPhotoLE%20.jpg"></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2"> This is the car that Chrysler Team ORECA will use in their search for that first overall win at Le Mans. It is noticeably different from the original artist’s impression that was released in early December, and has more than a slight ‘Reynard’ look about it. The engine is of course the Mopar 6 litre V8, and Yannick Dalmas and Olivier Beretta are confirmed as two of the drivers.<BR> <BR> Dalmas signed a two year contract for 2000 and 2001, while Beretta has decided to continue his Chrysler links and move across (from all that success in the Viper) to the new LMP effort. <BR> <BR> The Oreca Vipers won three consecutive FIA GT championships, three class victories at Le Mans, two American Le Mans Series titles and outright victory at the Rolex 24 hours at Daytona. <BR> <BR> The original Reynard-constructed Oreca Prototype entries at Le Mans 2000 managed a dismal retirement on lap 1 (Dalmas at the wheel) and an amazing 20th place finish (Theys / van Hooydonk / Andre). That effort was always a toe in the water, but this Dallara-constructed chassis is very much a potential 24 Hours winner.<BR> <BR> It is believed that the Chrysler LMP has already been shaken down, prior to an official Michelin test beginning at Valencia on January 22. <BR> <BR> Race outings in Europe (not Sebring à la Audi) are expected before the Le Mans Test Day and Race Week.<BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>