Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus has partnered with engine manufacturer Pipo Moteurs, with the French firm signed on to provide engines for the 007 Le Mans Hypercar project.
Pipo Moteurs, based in Guilherand-Granges, a town one hundred kilometres south of Lyon, was established in 1973 and has since grown to be a major engine manufacturer, particularly for rally cars. It has built WRC engines for Peugeot, Ford and Hyundai, winning multiple championships along the way.
The company will be producing a twin-turbocharged V8 engine for use in the 007 Le Mans Hypercar.
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus explained there were multiple reasons for the American manufacturer to partner with Pipo Moteurs. When asked why the decision was made, the team told Motorsport Week: “Their passion to win Le Mans. Their history of successfully winning championships. Their amazing engine designs.”
The team went on to explain that they were looking for a company that shared the same passion for racing as themselves, which resulted in their choice for Pipo Moteurs.
SCG also told Motorsport Week that it plans to offer the engine for sale to other Le Mans Hypercar teams, as well as in LMDh specification.
The global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have had an impact on the development schedule for the 007. Original plans were for the car to see track action in September, but the team now says it plans to have the engine on a dyno in September before building the car itself in November ahead of a January rollout.
It aims to make the opening round of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship, which will likely take place at Sebring International Raceway in March.
When asked if the team is happy with the delayed start of Season 9 given the circumstances, it replied: “We are glad that we can start at the beginning.”
“The 007 is our dream: building a car to compete for first overall, in the most challenging class, in one of the world’s most iconic race series and set of tracks. If it was easy, it wouldn’t be fun.
For us as a privateer to go up against Toyota and have a real chance of winning is a worthy challenge.”
