HISTORIC PERFORMANCE BY G-OIL’S GREEN EARTH TEAM GUNNAR

Class pole position and full race completion for revolutionary team

 

G-Oil’s Green Earth Team Gunnar made history and an unprecedented run in the season-opening round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón at Sebring International Raceway over the weekend.

The team was not only one of the first of six teams to order the new LMP Challenge prototype, but it is the first and only team in the Series to race using environmentally safe oil, G-OIL™ – the world’s first bio-based and ultimate biodegradable motor oil approved by the American Petroleum Institute and a product of Green Earth Technologies. G-Oil is also the official motor oil of IMSA and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. 

The week began with the G-Oil™ team unveiling a spectacular fluorescent livery that would make it the darling of YouTube users and fans alike at the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida – particularly when darkness arrived. A few days later, driver Gunnar Jeannette etched his name in the Series’ record book with the first pole position in the new LMP Challenge class with Green Earth Team Gunnar’s ORECA-Courage FLM09.

One early question was whether the new LMPC race cars could tackle the strenuous rigors of a 12-hour race, particularly on the legendary rough surface of Sebring. Led by Jeannette, Elton Julian and Christian Zugel, GETG proved not only the strength and reliability of the ORECA by claiming pole during Friday’s qualifying session, but later by following up with a second place class finish in the 12 Hours of Sebring. The team unfortunately had to relinquish its position when IMSA, the sanctioning body of the Series, discovered that one of the drivers (Zugel) fell three minutes short of the required minimum time behind the wheel for the race.

G-Oil’s Founder Jeff Loch was elated with the team’s inaugural run.

“Gunnar Racing is a top-notch, first-class racing organization and we were so proud to have them race with the Green Earth Technologies’ logo prominently featured on the new car,” said Loch, who is also Chief Marketing and Branding Officer of Green Earth Technologies. “Despite the exclusion, G-OIL performed remarkably well and I am happy to say that the team reported no engine issues. We look to make serious headway at our next race out in Long Beach.”

“We were so excited to get on the track with our new car and show the world that Green Earth Team Gunnar is the one to beat for 2010,” said Kevin Jeannette CEO and founder of Gunnar Racing.

American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón President and CEO Scott Atherton echoed similar sentiments.

“There is no doubt that G-Oil’s Green Earth Team Gunnar will be a force in the LMP Challenge class this year,” said Atherton. “Not only does it have an exceptionally managed team with excellent drivers, but the G-Oil component may be its secret weapon. I know everyone involved is excited about the capabilities and performance of G-Oil in one of the toughest environments in motorsports – world-class endurance racing.”

The Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach is the second round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. The race, set at the historic Long Beach street circuit, is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 15 with coverage on SPEED set for 8 to 10 p.m. ET. Live radio coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio – a production of Radio Show Limited – as well as Sirius and XM. Visit the the Series’ schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on Racehub at americanlemans.com.

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Source ALMS © RIF