INTERSPORT LOLA-AER RACING TOWARD LONG BEACH RETURN

Intersport Racing is planning its return to the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón after Jon Field’s horrific crash during testing for the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida.

 

Plus testing on Tuesday, a new partner and other notes from Sebring

Jon Field and Intersport Racing’s Lola-AER will be back in action at Long Beach. Field was released from a Sebring hospital Monday night after a crash in the afternoon.

Intersport’s AER-powered Lola will be back for the second round of the championship – the Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach – on April 17. Jon Field will drive with son Clint, who is the team owner.

The accident came just past midway of Monday afternoon’s two-hour test session. Field was taken to Highlands Regional Medical Center after the Lola-AER got airborne and flipped several times between Turns 9 and 10 of the 3.7-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway circuit.

The car eventually came to a stop upright on its wheels. After being taken to the track’s medical center, he was transported to Highlands Regional for further observation. Prior to the crash, the Intersport Lola-AER had posted the fastest time of the afternoon session.

“First and foremost, we are relieved that Jon was able to walk away from the wreck without injury,” team manager Brian Alder said. “It is a tribute to IMSA safety regulations and the construction of the Lola to see our driver walk away from such a horrific crash.”

TUESDAY TESTING: Peugeot seems eager to continue its run of endurance success with the fastest time unofficially Tuesday in testing for the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. The No. 08 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP of Pedro Lamy, Sebastien Bourdais and Nic Minassian posted a fastest lap of 1:46.232 (125.386 mph) around the 3.7-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway.

The two factory Team Peugeot Total coupes are the favorites in the opening round for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Aston Martin Racing may have something to say about that in the end, though. The slick Aston Martin V12-powered Lola B09/60 coupe was second quickest on the day at 1:46.557 (125.004 mph). Adrian Fernandez, Harold Primat and Stefan Mücke will drive the works entry.

Drayson Racing made it a sweep for coupes in the top-three with a best lap of 1:47.223 (124.227 mph) in the Lola B09/60-Judd with Paul Drayson, Jonny Cocker and Emanuele Pirro driving.

Patrón Highcroft Racing, last year’s LMP1 champion, was the fastest LMP2 with a lap of 1:48.318, set in the morning session. David Brabham, Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti are driving the Honda Performance Development ARX-01c.

FREESCALE JOINS AS SERIES PARTNER: The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón put a punctuation mark on its commitment to innovation and advanced technical development with its announcement of Freescale Semiconductor as the official Automotive Technology Solutions Partner of the Series.

Freescale Semiconductor, based in Austin, Texas, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. It has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations around the world. 

With more automobile manufacturer involvement and participation than any major racing series in the world, along with more advanced automotive technology than any series other than Formula One, the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón provides Freescale Semiconductor with significant opportunities to enhance both business-to-business and public awareness of its advanced automotive technology solutions. At the same time, engineers from Freescale Semiconductor will be “embedded” in the paddock at Series races offering support and communication to team and manufacturer engineering personnel.

PIT NOTES: Robertson Racing co-owner and driver David Robertson says the team’s Doran-Ford GT should be repaired after its heavy crash Monday. The car backed into the Turn 10 wall, which destroyed the suspension. The frame also was bent, Robertson said, with the engine ripped away from the mounting and the bellhousing cracked. … Dominik Farnbacher, driving the endurance rounds in 2010 with the new Extreme Speed Motorsports, says the level of competition in GT2 is at an all-time high. “This is the toughest GT2 class ever,” said the young German, who will drive a Ferrari F430 GT with team owner Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek. There are so many manufacturers here and in Europe. Le Mans will be spectacular – one of the best ever.” … Ever the ‘Tweeter’ Paul Drayson will be tweeting a “Tip of the Day” from Drayson Racing teammate Emanuele Pirro.

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED starting at 10 a.m. ET. Live coverage also will be available on American Le Mans Radio, as well as Sirius Channel 127 and XM Channel 245. Visit 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.

Courtesy ALMS © RIF