As winners of the 12 Hours of Sebring in March, Team ORECA-Matmut was making its return to the United States for the Petit Le Mans. Alongside two Peugeot 908 and in front of two Audi R18, the objective of reaching the podium put forth by Hugues de Chaunac was a challenging one. In front of a crowd that always gives them a warm welcome, the team wanted to shine on the Road Atlanta track.

Behind the wheel of the No. 10 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP carrying the message « Thank You Fans », Nicolas Lapierre, Nicolas Minassian and Marc Gené brilliantly accomplished their mission in taking second place behind the Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908. In front of more than 130,000 spectators, Team ORECA-Matmut once again showed all of its strength, leading on several occasions ahead of Audi and Peugeot. The team had a remarkable performance, on the track, in the pits and in terms of strategy. The team definitely likes U.S. Racing !

Race action. With the fifth qualifying time, Nicolas Lapierre keeps the position until the first safety car period introduced after the first quarter hour. Quick in the pits, Team ORECA-Matmut slips ahead of an Audi R18 and a Peugeot 908. The team continues to make its way up the leaderboard and takes the lead after the second yellow flag. The No. 10 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP maintains third place, often leading in the first four hours. Marc Gené takes over the controls for a double stint, followed by Nicolas Minassian, who reaches the halfway mark in third place.

As the laps unfold, the trio establishes a comfortable place in third, behind the No. 8 Peugeot and the No. 1 Audi. Nicolas Lapierre retakes the wheel in the sixth hour, just before the sixth full course caution. As the French driver is finishing its double stint, the No. 1 Audi is involved in an incident. Team ORECA-Matmut inherits second place but the car has been hit by a GT. The mechanics change the rear cover and diffuser…in less than two minutes ! This allows the team to conserve second place. Marc Gené attacks to widen the gap to the closest competitors, and to put a lap on the No. 007 Lola-Aston Martin. He does it in the ninth hour. Nicolas Minassian takes over for the last laps, perfectly managing the end of the race which sees Team ORECA-Matmut finishing in 2nd.