IMSA Performance Announces ELMS Lineup

Photo: DPPI/ELMS

One of France’s leading GT teams has revealed its driver lineup for the upcoming European Le Mans Series season.

IMSA Performance Matmut announced Friday that its two Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs will be driven by Eric Helary, Jean-Marc Merlin, Erik Maris (No. 67) and Nicolas Armindo, Raymond Narac and Laurent Pasquali (No. 76).

The Rouen-based squad expands to two 997-based GTE cars after campaigning a single car in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and ELMS in 2013. They will not return to the FIA WEC this year.

“The 2014 ELMS season promises to be very good,” said team principal Franck Rava. “With 13 cars announced in GTE, the battle will be tough, especially against Ferrari, which has come in numbers.

“We have a very good crew reunited with Nicolas, Raymond and Laurent in the No. 76. Nicolas and Raymond already perfectly know the RSR and the championship.

“This will be a first for Laurent, but he is accustomed to the 997 GT3 R and he should quickly adapt.

“With the No. 67, all three drivers will discover GT racing and it will be interesting to follow… Eric has a lot of experience and will make a perfect [team leader]. ”

Helary, Merlin and Maris were previously confirmed as drivers for the team’s solo confirmed Le Mans entry, although the No. 76 car currently sits third on the GTE reserve list.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John