Oregon Team Joins ELMS with Norma M30 LMP3

Photo: Oregon Team

Italian outfit Oregon Team is set to join the European Le Mans Series ranks in 2017, having announced on Thursday plans to campaign a Norma M30 Nissan in the LMP3 class.

The team, led by Giorgio Testa and Jerry Canevisio, will race the new M30 LMP3 challenger from Norma, which was revealed in June.

The car was expected to make a race appearance in the latter stages of 2016, but did not. TDS Racing was among the teams planning to run the M30 in LMP3 competition.

Davide Roda and Andres Mendez have already been confirmed as drivers for Oregon Team, with a third driver expected to be revealed soon.

Both drivers competed with the team in the Renault Sport Trophy in 2016.

“When we heard that Renault would not [continue with] the [Renault Sport] Trophy, we tried various alternatives,” said Canevisio. “In the end we opted for the ELMS, one of the few leagues where competition is still real and not vitiated by artificial Balance of Performance.

“We had no doubts on the choice of the car as we believe that Norma Auto Concept has built a capable product and is ready to win.

“From our side, we know we are [ready for] a new and difficult challenge, but we also know that we have the capabilities to emerge.”

Added Norbert Santos, founder of Norma Auto Concept: “For me and for the entire Norma team it was a pleasure to see Oregon Team choose the M30 to launch its program in LMP3.

“It is a team [that has been] involved in international motorsport for many years and is recognized for its [success]. We talked a lot with Giorgio and Jerry, and I think they appreciated the work we have done on the new M30.

“I am sure that Oregon will be able to use the car in the best way possible, thanks to their drivers’ high profile.”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.