Model of the Month: July 2026 – Spark Oreca 07 – Gibson No. 199 AO by TF

3rd LMP2 Class – 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025

Some race cars are remembered for their results. Others are remembered for their personalities.

The No. 199 AO by TF Oreca 07 – Gibson, better known as Spike, is definitely one of the latter. The GT3 world has Rexy, the famous dinosaur Porsche, and now its LMP2 sibling has earned its own place in racing culture.

After finishing 3rd in the LMP2 class at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spike earns our Model of the Month for July 2026—and Spark's interpretation might be one of the most distinctive 1:64 racing models we've seen.

🏁 The Oreca 07 – The Backbone of LMP2

The Oreca 07 has become one of the defining prototypes of the modern LMP2 category.

Built by French manufacturer ORECA, the 07 was introduced for the 2017 season and quickly became the dominant chassis in LMP2. Its combination of aerodynamic efficiency, performance, reliability, and relatively accessible operating costs made it the platform of choice for teams competing in one of endurance racing's most competitive classes.

The cars are powered by a Gibson V8 engine, producing the characteristic sound and performance that make LMP2 such an important part of the endurance racing ladder.

At Le Mans, LMP2 provides some of the closest and most unpredictable racing on the entire grid—and in 2025, the No. 199 AO by TF Oreca 07 was right in the middle of that fight.

Meet Spike – Rexy's Hypercar Brother

If you've followed endurance racing recently, you probably know Rexy, AO Racing's instantly recognizable Porsche 911 GT3 R covered in dinosaur-inspired graphics.

Well, meet his Hypercar-class sibling: Spike.

For the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours, AO Racing brought the same playful approach to its LMP2 entry, transforming the No. 199 Oreca into a purple dragon-inspired monster.

The purple livery is designed to mimic dragon scales, covering the body in a pattern that immediately separates Spike from the rest of the grid.

And the dragon theme isn't limited to the color scheme.

The wings of the dragon are incorporated into the engine cover, while the tail can be seen around the rear wheel covers. Move toward the front of the car and you'll find perhaps the most intimidating detail of all: the hood features the monster's sharp teeth, giving Spike a face of its own.

It's an incredibly clever interpretation of a modern endurance prototype.

Le Mans 2025 – No. 199 AO by TF

At the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, the No. 199 Oreca 07 was driven by PJ Hyett, Dane Cameron, and Louis Delétraz.

The trio completed the demanding 24-hour race and brought Spike home in 3rd place in the LMP2 class.

A podium at Le Mans is an achievement in itself. Doing it with a car that has such a distinctive identity makes the story even more memorable.

The No. 199 became another chapter in AO Racing's growing reputation for combining serious racing performance with liveries that don't take themselves too seriously.

The Model: Spark Oreca 07 – Gibson No. 199

Spark has captured Spike's personality beautifully in 1:64 scale.

The first thing you'll notice is the incredible purple dragon livery, but the more you look, the more details appear.

🐲 Dragon Details

• Purple dragon-scale-inspired graphics covering the body

• Dragon wings incorporated into the engine cover
• The dragon's tail visible around the rear wheel covers

• Sharp monster teeth prominently displayed on the front hood
• Authentic No. 199 race markings
• AO Racing branding across the car

This isn't simply a purple race car. The entire body has been designed to tell the story of Spike.

Aerodynamics in 1:64

The Oreca 07 is essentially a collection of aerodynamic surfaces wrapped around a racing machine, and Spark has done an excellent job reproducing them.

The side mirrors extend from the front wheel covers, while the front end is surrounded by an impressive collection of aerodynamic elements.

One particularly striking feature is the pair of large air outlets on top of the front wheel covers, adding to the extremely technical appearance of the prototype.

At the front, the acrylic headlight inserts are beautifully detailed, giving the model a realistic lighting signature.

The wheels are equally impressive. The 15-spoke rims are fitted with rubber tires carrying visible Goodyear Eagle branding, while Goodyear and Mobil 1 are among the sponsors reproduced in the livery.

And then, of course, there's the enormous rear wing, complete with AO Racing branding.

Why This Model Won

The Spark Oreca 07 – Gibson No. 199 AO by TF earned our Model of the Month for July 2026 because it is so much more than a miniature of a Le Mans prototype.

It captures a real racing achievement—a 3rd-place LMP2 finish at Le Mans 2025—while preserving the personality that made Spike so memorable.

The dragon-scale livery, wings, tail, teeth, intricate aerodynamics, detailed headlights, branded Goodyear tires, and enormous AO Racing rear wing all come together to create something genuinely unique.

And perhaps that's the best way to describe it:

Spike isn't just Rexy's sibling. He's a monster of his own.

A Unique Piece of Le Mans History

Endurance racing has always had room for engineering, speed, and technology—but cars like Spike remind us that motorsport can also be fun.

The No. 199 AO by TF Oreca 07 managed to combine a serious Le Mans podium with one of the most memorable liveries on the grid.

Spark has now captured that personality in 1:64 scale, creating what is likely one of the most distinctive interpretations of Rexy's racing sibling available to collectors.

And that's exactly why Spike is our Model of the Month for July 2026.