Conquest to contest 2012 with OAK-Pescarolo LMP2

CONQUEST ENDURANCE ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH OAK RACING FOR THE 2012 AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES

The 2012 Oak Pescarolo LMP2

Photo by: Keystone Création

Indianapolis, Indiana – December 19th, 2011 – Conquest Endurance announced today that it has become the importer and distributor for the OAK-Pescarolo cars in the United States. The newly formed entity is a subsidiary of the Conquest Racing Team managed by Eric Bachelart.

Conquest Endurance will start off on the right foot as they partner with OAK Racing and in particular with Onroak Automotive, the manufacturer department of the French team. OAK Racing is based in Le Mans close to the mythic circuit of La Sarthe. The OAK-Pescarolo has been one of the most successful LMP2 chassis in recent years. In 2010 these machines achieved a second place finish at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans and won the Le Mans Series LMP2 manufacturer title. In 2011 the OAK-Pescarolo LMP2 cars ended third at the 12 Hours of Sebring and second at Petit Le Mans.

The 2012 OAK-Pescarolo LMP2 car is a newly developed sports-prototype that complies with the ALMS’s cost capped LMP2 regulations. A thorough wind tunnel program has maximized the car’s aerodynamic performance while complying with the FIA’s safety upgrades. The car will be available for sale at the beginning of 2012 and will be compatible with all current LMP2 engine manufacturers. The car’s testing program will begin in January with a Nissan power plant.

Conquest Endurance plans to enter a car in the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron Season in the LMP2 category with a 2012 OAK-Pescarolo race car. The Conquest Racing Team has achieved long-standing success in North American motorsports, most recently in the IZOD IndyCar Series where it intends to continue to field a one-car entry in 2012. It will now bring over the high standards they are known for in the open-wheel world into ALMS racing.

The Conquest Endurance squad in conjunction with OAK Racing had a chance to work directly with the OAK-Pescarolo car earlier this month during a test at Sebring International Raceway and have begun their 2012 preparations early as they look to fight for the championship in their rookie season.

The North American fans will get their first taste of the Conquest Endurance OAK-Pescarolo February 8-9 at Sebring International Raceway during the American Le Mans Series winter test. The team will announce further details about this exciting new entry in the coming weeks.

Eric Bachelart, Conquest Endurance Team Principal: “We are very excited to have this partnership between Conquest Endurance and OAK Racing and in particular its manufacturer department Onroak Automotive. The OAK-Pescarolo car has proven to be a success in Europe and now we look forward to showcasing its speed and reliability here in the United States. We are confident that this will be the chassis to have in ALMS for 2012 and beyond. For the Conquest organization this is an important step as we expand our operations and can now be a part of two of the most important racing series in North America. It will be a busy off-season but we are excited about to the challenge!”

Jacques Nicolet, OAK Racing Team Owner: “Endurance racing is experiencing a lot of growth in the United States and the LMP2 category is poised to conquer a new place in the North American market. A proof of this is the fact that teams like Conquest Endurance have decided to be a part of the ALMS after achieving great success in IndyCar. It is logical that Oak Racing and Onroak and Automotive, its manufacturer division, have decided to expand to the U.S and have chosen to rely on Conquest Endurance to promote our LMP2 car.

I am very pleased to be working with Eric Bachelart, he has a European culture and has managed to get established in the Untied States as a successful team owner at the highest level of motorsports, he’s also had a successful career as a driver. It was obvious from our first meetings that we should work together and we have created a partnership that is very promising. The OAK Pescarolo car has shown its potential for several seasons in Europe and will now continue to do so in the U.S. The new 2012 version will be highly competitive and will suit private teams running professional and gentlemen drivers alike.”