Spa: Oak Racing preview

OAK Racing aiming to impress Mazda USA at Spa-Francorchamps

OAK Racing has remained busy since Barcelona, where the team achieved encouraging results with both their #24 and #35 Pescarolo-Mazdas finishing in the top six of the LMP2 category.

Over the past few weeks, the team has adapted the aerodynamic kit of the #35 car. The changes, which had to be completed in a very short time frame, turned out to be a significant challenge. Rather than simply fitting the new bodywork on the chassis, it was crucial to thoroughly check the car's most important components and fabricate new parts.

After making the changes, the team tested the car at Magny-Cours. It is hoped the new aero package will offer a significantly improved performance, with Spa representing the first opportunity for the #35 to test its new bodywork in full-scale competition before the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Meanwhile, the #24 car also undertook a full day of testing at Magny-Cours. The session was excellent preparation for Richard Hein and Jacques Nicolet, who hope to at least repeat their strong Barcelona result at Spa this weekend.

The second round of the Le Mans Series is also of utmost importance to the team as it will take place in the presence of Mazda USA. John Doonan, Mazda's motorsport development manager in North America, will be present to support OAK Racing, Team Mazda France, as well as the other Mazda-powered teams.

This represents an indication of Mazda's involvement in the sporting programmes of the teams powered by the Japanese group.

-credit: oak