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Expansion to LMP challenge just fine with Intersport

Running two classes nothing new for accomplished prototype team

 

Intersport Racing continues to write new chapters in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Already one of the Series’ longest-tenured teams – factory or independent – Intersport is preparing to embark on a groundbreaking effort in 2010 where it will field entries in two prototype classes.

Intersport’s AER-powered Lola B06/10 will run for the full season alongside its ORECA FLM09 prototype for the Le Mans Prototype Challenge class, new for 2010. Both cars were on-track last week at the annual Sebring Winter Test with encouraging results.

It’s not the first time the Dublin, Ohio-based team has had a presence in more than one LMP class in the same season. Intersport fielded cars in both LMP900 and LMP675 from 2002-04.

“As a team, we always want to grow,” said Clint Field, team owner and driver of the team’s LMP1 entry. “We had an opportunity with the LMPC car to really grow as a team. It’s an easier car to run, so it brings us in a little bit slower than what we usually do, which would be an LMP1. For us, it’s coming in and just getting used to it. But it seems to be a pretty easy car to run.”

Running two cars in the series does have its benefits and challenges teammate Jon Field acknowledged.

“The benefits obviously are that we’re already set up as a team to come to the race track, so we get to bring more guys and work the setups together,” he said. “It’s a better presence, and we look like a bigger team, which we are now. But the challenge obviously is that it takes a lot more money to get it done and more management.”

Brian Wong and Mitch Pagerey are Intersport’s primary drivers in the LMPC entry and got their first taste of the ORECA-built racer at last week’s annual Sebring Winter Test.

“It’s a new car to everyone so we’re still trying to learn as much as we can,” Wong said. “We all struggled a little bit with the overall speed. But we’re just trying to get used to the car. It’s all a learning experience.”

Source ALMS © RIF