10.03.2008 VICI Racing and Kumho Tire arrive in Sebring as challenging week gets underway
 

VICI Racing and Kumho Tire arrived at the Sebring International Raceway this morning ready to kick off an exciting and innovative new challenge in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).  Starting with the 56th running of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring which gets underway on Saturday (March 15) at 10:00 AM EDT, VICI Racing and Kumho Tire will undertake a season-long tire development program which will aim to evolve new racing compounds for the ALMS GT2 class.

The #5 VICI Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR will be driven by Uwe Alzen, Nathan Swartzbaugh and Craig Stanton, a strong line-up that perfectly blends youth with experience; three fast and proven drivers each familiar with the Porsche 911 and each with the ability to turn in a competitive performance. It is experience that will stand them in good stead for what is the toughest race of the ALMS season, held on the bumpy historic airfield circuit in central Florida.

Uwe is one of sportscar racing’s most experienced stars. A previous winner at Sebring, he has also stood on the podium at Le Mans, and last year drove for VICI Racing in the Daytona 24 Hours. His raw speed and aggression, coupled to a fearsome will to win and ability to work with the engineers in a development scenario, makes him the perfect lead driver for this program.

Nathan first drove for VICI Racing in the IMSA GT3 Cup three years ago, immediately impressing the team with his raw speed and quick ability to learn which he put to good effect to become series champion a year later. Craig is one of the most versatile and well-known drivers in the sports-car paddock, a winner in ALMS and GrandAm; always fast, smooth and precise, he will prove an excellent addition to the driving strength.

VICI Racing and Kumho Tire have put this ambitious program together in a very short time, with everyone motivated and enthusiastic about the challenge. The team though knows a steep learning curve lies ahead, this is a tough challenge, and by choosing to run the program in full race conditions from day one, it is a process that will be carried out in the spotlight.

VICI Racing will be supported by a number of partners at Sebring, each of whom is committed to the team’s new program, and brings input, enthusiasm and a desire to win. Long-term VICI Racing partner, Wempe, a Germany-based manufacturer of exquisite timepieces and jewellery, will be back on board once more, while the team is delighted to announce the support of two new partners: high precision turning machine manufacturer, Tornos, and commercial real estate company, Westway Development.

The team will campaign the brand new 2008-specification Porsche 911 GT3 RSR at Sebring, along with the rest of the series. The most distinguishing feature of the new car is the front end which has received major improvements to its aerodynamics. The majority of the innovations, however, are hidden under the body, where an optimized air ducting, with newly-designed side air outlets, generates more downforce and reduces drag. Much of the know-how in the GT3 RSR’s totally new gearbox, developed by Porsche engineers, has come from the RS Spyder sports prototype. The range of possible suspension set-ups has also been broadened.

The VICI Racing 911 GT3 RSR took to the track for the first time at the Moroso Motorsports Park, near Palm Beach, Florida, on 20/21 February for a two day test, with driving duties carried out by Nicky Pastorelli. The whole team was delighted by the initial shakedown, and with no technical issues being encountered, it left Nicky free to turn in the scheduled number of laps on the 2.25 mile permanent circuit, which, once the installation laps had been completed, focused on evaluating several development compounds that Kumho brought to work through. The team was also able to make use of the facility’s ¼-mile drag strip to carry out the development work.

A week later, VICI Racing moved to the Sebring International Raceway for a second two day test (26/27 February), this time taking to the famous track as part of the Official Porsche Test. Once again, the team was able to work through the planned test program on the 3.7-mile, 17-turn road course without any issues arising.  While Nicky was back in the car, he was joined in driving duties by Uwe Alzen, who will drive for the team this week. Also behind the wheel were German sports car star driver, Klaus Ludwig, and the rapid Mexican single-seater-turned-sportscar-racer, Rodolfo Lavian.  Over the two days the team was able to set consistent lap times and complete the scheduled development program. Without encountering any problems, the team was able to begin to work on setups ahead of Sebring.

With the program running on schedule, and more than 200 testing laps completed, VICI Racing now begins the steady build up to Saturday’s 12 hour race. The team will take to the track at Sebring for the first time today (March 10) and again tomorrow for two days of private testing before the official practice sessions get underway on Wednesday. VICI Racing is also delighted to welcome a new Team Manager, Tim Bumps, who brings plenty of organizational experience and an ability to get the job done.

Uwe Alzen: “I’m looking forward to this new challenge. Sebring is tough, but it has been a rewarding track for me – I have had some great races here over the years, and it will be good to work with VICI Racing again. I drove the car at the end of last month at Sebring and everything went pretty smoothly, the car felt well and the Kumho guys are working hard, so I think we can look forward to a promising week.”

Nathan Swartzbaugh: “I ran with VICI Racing in the IMSA GT3 Cup in 2005, and was always impressed by their professional and competitive approach. I am extremely grateful that they thought of me for their new effort in ALMS this year, and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to deliver results.”

Craig Stanton: “It is fantastic to be back in the American Le Mans Series this year, I couldn’t be happier. When I heard about the program that VICI Racing and Kumho tires were developing for 2008, I knew I had to be a part of it, and I really appreciate everyone allowing me the opportunity.”

Rudy Consolacion, Kumho Tire Motorsports Manager: “Our tests with VICI Racing at Moroso and Sebring at the end of February went well. I think we were all pleasantly surprised at how well the tires performed in our first tests on the 911 GT3 RSR. For Sebring, we've got three drivers who are all very familiar with the 911, so we’re looking forward to seeing how we stack up against the rest of the GT2 field.”
 

Ron Meixner, President, VICI Racing: “We’re now ready, just, for our first race after a lot of very hard work and total dedication from everybody; and with an excellent driver line-up in place, a trio of pilots who are well suited to this program. I’m delighted that Uwe is with us again this year – his speed, experience and knowledge of long distance sportscar racing is unrivalled, as is his ability to force every last millisecond out of a car. I’m also very pleased that Nathan is back with us. We ran him in the IMSA GT3 Cup in 2005 and he proved to be a very quick learner and able to provide excellent feedback to our engineers, as well as being naturally fast. Craig is a new face to the team although we know him well and with his experience he needs no introduction; I’m pleased to have him on board.

“Kumho Tire has worked hard in getting the development program off the ground in record time and all the ingredients are in place to make a solid start to the season this week. I’m pleased that VICI Racing will continue to run Porsches after more than 20 years with the brand, and it is extra special at Sebring where Porsche has a winning record second-to-none. The support, enthusiasm and input of long-term team partner Wempe has been invaluable, and we’re pleased to see them involved again this year; at the same time, I’m also delighted to welcome Tornos and Westway Development.”

Roland Wall, Technical Director & Chief Engineer, VICI Racing: “The driver line-up is excellent, we have three pilots who can bring the car home at a front running pace. I have worked with Uwe in the past and he is an excellent proven star who will get the job done in a highly professional manner. I’m looking forward to working with Nathan and Craig. The project is proceeding very well, both initial tests went smoothly, and all the members of this program have integrated without any hitches.

“The new RSR is going well, no surprises there; I knew the car quite well as I have already attended a couple of factory tests. We are getting all the information and support from Porsche that we need, because Porsche always takes good care of all RSR customers.

“The new Kumho tires are performing to expectation, they seem to be doing a good job in their development department; there was instantly a good working connection between myself and Jason Myers from Kumho, he has lots of experience and understands exactly what I want them. I am certainly looking forward to have an interesting season with Kumho, it’s a very interesting new challenge.

“Finally I have to say, that I am satisfied with how things went during the two short tests. We have good mechanics, a capable new Team Manager, and no problems arose, although it was the first time that we have all been working together. We look forward to a tough but rewarding week at Sebring and expect to make progress with every race.”

The American Le Mans Series begins the new season as usual with the Sebring 12 Hours. The longest and toughest race of the year, it presents the greatest challenge for drivers and teams. The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring will be telecast on Saturday, March 15, live on SPEED TV, starting at 9:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time (the green flag drops shortly after 10:00 AM EDT).  Live radio broadcasting, plus live scoring and pit notes, are available at www.americanlemans.com, starting with qualifying on Thursday, March 13.

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