The 2017 European Le Mans Series champion, Memo Rojas and IDEC SPORT have signed a partnership for the 2018 season. The Mexican will also be racing in the Le Mans 24-Hour Race alongside Paul Lafargue and Paul-Loup Chatin in the Oreca.
After the announcement that they had acquired an LMP2 Oreca and will be competing with two cars in the European Le Mans Series, the IDEC SPORT team has confirmed the arrival of a top class driver, Guillermo “Memo” Rojas. He is the first foreign driver to join the team, which just goes to show how important IDEC SPORT is becoming internationally.
The ambitions and the achievements in 2017 convinced Memo to join the IDEC SPORT team. On top of that, the Mexican-born driver already worked with Nicolas Minassian last season. “I had the pleasure of working with Nicolas last year and we developed much more than a simple professional relationship. We talked about the possibility of driving for IDEC SPORT. I think that this is a team with huge potential. The have the human and material resources to achieve something great,” explained Memo Rojas, pleased to be back in France. “In 2004, I spent a year in Le Mans in order to drive in Europe. At that time, my engineer was called Eric Boullier. So I’m pleased now to be back with a French team. Moreover, I’m really pleased to have Paul (Lafargue) and Paul-Loup (Chatin) as my co-drivers. Paul is a very good Silver driver and that is one of the keys to succeeding in endurance racing. Paul-Loup is also fast and experienced, so I’m convinced that together we form a great team.”
Continuing to have high ambitions, IDEC SPORT is heading to the Paul Ricard Circuit on 15th April for the Castellet 4-Hour Race, the first leg of the ELMS. “Each year, we have to aim as high as possible. This time that means winning the championship, even if there is lot of competition. There are always new teams and drivers joining the ELMS, in addition to those who already know the series. I think we are doing the work required to perform well and I hope that at the end of the season, we’ll be on top of the podium.”
The triple winner of the Daytona 24-Hour Race has joined IDEC SPORT with his loyal sponsors, who will of course be present on the new car. “I’m lucky to have the unconditional support of Telmex, the leader in telecommunications in Latin America and also of Banorte, one of the biggest Mexican banks. They have been with me for ages and we have had some great successes together. I’d like to thank them for making it possible for me to experience this new adventure with IDEC SPORT. The Oreca livery looks fantastic. I can’t wait to see it and get behind the wheel.”
Driving the new Oreca LMP2
“Last year we won the championship with an Oreca, so obviously I have a very good opinion of this car. They have developed an exceptional car with a reliable chassis and which performs well. Add to that the Michelin tyres and you have a winning machine. I hope that that will be the case this year,” explained the four-time IMSA champion.
Memo Rojas to line up for the Le Mans 24-Hour Race
While IDEC SPORT is competing with two cars in the ELMS, only one will line up for the twice round the clock race in Le Mans. It is the trio formed by Memo Rojas, Paul Lafargue and Paul-Loup Chatin who have the honour of representing IDEC SPORT in the 2018 Le Mans 24-Hour Race. After the great 12th place overall obtained by the Ligier last year, the team will be aiming to do even better this year.
A word from Paul-Loup Chatin
“The arrival of Memo is a very good thing for the whole team. He’s a very good driver with a lot of experience. He knows all about endurance racing. His team spirit and his friendly nature are also vital elements. I am certain that he will fit in well with the team. Paul, Memo and I form a great crew and together, we’ll do our utmost to see IDEC SPORT perform well.”
A word from Paul Lafargue
“I’m really pleased to be able to share the driving with Memo. His experience is obvious and will bring us a lot. The IDEC SPORT team is still in the development phase with the new Oreca chassis. The arrival of Memo in the team shows how fast things are moving. It may seem unimportant, but he is the first foreigner to join the team, which is something new for us. Above all, that shows that IDEC SPORT is starting to become attractive to other drivers, even for the title-holder in the ELMS.”
Don’t miss the start of the 2018 ELMS with the prologue on 10th April on the Paul Ricard Circuit.
