03.03.2008 SUCCESSFUL FIRST TRACK TESTS FOR VICI RACING PORSCHE 911 GT3 RSR

VICI Racing and Kumho Tire have wrapped up two successful track tests as the new tire development program builds up to its debut in next weekend’s Mobil 1 Sebring 12 Hours.

The team’s new 2008-specification Porsche 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 young Dutchman Nicky Pastorelli, a former Euro F3000 champion and recent ChampCar pilot, who raced in GrandAm for VICI Racing last year.

The whole team was delighted by the 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 the facility's 1/4 mile drag strip to carry out the development work.

Last week VICI Racing moved onto the Sebring International Raceway for a second two day test with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (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 is familiar with the team as he drove for VICI Racing in the Daytona 24 Hours last year.
 

The highly experienced German endurance racer will be the team’s lead driver for the Sebring 12 Hours next week. Also undertaking driving duties was another famous 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 any problems the team was able to begin to work on setups ahead of the first race of the American Le Mans Series at the circuit next Saturday (15 March).

Roland Wall, Technical Director and Chief Engineer VICI Racing, said: “Everything went well during the test. Porsche have come up with a superb car as usual; quick, responsive and reliable, just what any race team needs, and the support has been excellent; our set up is functioning very well. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to pull a new project together but everyone is fully committed. I’m satisfied by the consistent pace we were able to turn in on this track, we’re at a stage where we’re improving each lap, and I’m confident we can head for the 12 hour race and achieve a very solid performance.”

Ron C Meixner, President VICI Racing, said: “I'm delighted with the way the project has pulled together so quickly and I think this speaks of the ability of VICI Racing to quickly realise innovative new concepts. Our test program has been quite short due to the time constrains put on the project but we are in good shape for Sebring. All the drivers were consistently quick which provides a – pleasant – selection headache! I’m also very pleased by the enthusiasm and professionalism shown by the Kumho Tire in working to make this program one that results in success.”