Dumas added to ORECA Petit line-up

The Frenchman won the 2007 and 2008 ALMS LMP2 titles with Timo Bernhard at Penske Porsche, but followed his team to Grand Am this year. He will now make a one-off return to join Nicolas Lapierre and Olivier Panis as ORECA makes its ALMS debut at Petit.

"Romain has the qualities we're looking for," said team boss Hugues de Chaunac. "He's quick, a fighter, qualities that are common to all our drivers.

"This event is going to be a real eye-opener for the whole team, and it's an advantage to be able to count on someone who already knows the place and who's used to racing in America."

Dumas, who has been given permission to join ORECA by his normal employer Porsche, is excited about his return to the ALMS' premier event.

"I've been talking to Hugues de Chaunac for several seasons," said Dumas. "When he told me that there was an opportunity to drive in the ALMS again at the wheel of a very competitive prototype, I didn't hesitate for a second. All the ingredients were there, all the more so as I love the Petit Le Mans.

"ORECA's given itself what it takes to fulfill its ambitions and their presence in the USA is proof of this. The team's already one of the frontrunners in Europe and now it's going to tackle the Americans."

Dumas will join ORECA's pre-race test next weekend, although he will miss the first day as it clashes with the Miller Motorsports Park Grand Am round.