LOWE'S FERNANDEZ READIES FOR FULL ACURA EFFORT
When Lowe's Fernandez Racing hits the circuit at Sebring International Raceway this weekend, it will enter the second phase of its American Le Mans Series venture. A brand new Acura chassis, the next-generation ARX-01b, will be on display as the team prepares for its second appearance in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The work will continue Monday through Wednesday at the American Le Mans Series' fourth annual Winter Test at Sebring.
"We took delivery on December 28th," said Tom Anderson, co-owner with Adrian Fernandez. "We are quite excited about the changes that have been made between last year's 01a-specification ARX versus the 01b which we received. The computer numbers look very impressive and hopefully this will translate to the quicker estimated lap times that the computer shows. We are really looking forward to getting to Sebring and our first on-track adventure with it."
Fernandez and Luis Diaz finished second in LMP2 and third overall in the team's Acura-powered Lola in the 2007 race at Sebring. Lowe's Fernandez served as the engine development team for Acura last year, and the 3.4-liter V8 never suffered from a reliability standpoint.
"What Acura accomplished in their first season is remarkable," Fernandez said. "They were strong out of the box with not only a brand-new engine but the chassis as well. Expectations are even higher for next year."
The three Acura-powered LMP2 entries are part of a strong prototype contingent entered for the Winter Test. Audi, Lola, Mazda, Peugeot and Porsche also will have prototypes on track.
Updated news, timing information, photos, audio and video from the Winter Test will be available at americanlemans.com throughout the week.
The 2008 season opens with the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 15. The race will start at 10 a.m. ET and will be broadcast live by SPEED, which will begin its coverage at 9:30 a.m. American Le Mans Radio and IMSA's Live Timing & Scoring will be available at americanlemans.com.
When Lowe's Fernandez Racing hits the circuit at Sebring International Raceway this weekend, it will enter the second phase of its American Le Mans Series venture. A brand new Acura chassis, the next-generation ARX-01b, will be on display as the team prepares for its second appearance in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The work will continue Monday through Wednesday at the American Le Mans Series' fourth annual Winter Test at Sebring.
"We took delivery on December 28th," said Tom Anderson, co-owner with Adrian Fernandez. "We are quite excited about the changes that have been made between last year's 01a-specification ARX versus the 01b which we received. The computer numbers look very impressive and hopefully this will translate to the quicker estimated lap times that the computer shows. We are really looking forward to getting to Sebring and our first on-track adventure with it."
Fernandez and Luis Diaz finished second in LMP2 and third overall in the team's Acura-powered Lola in the 2007 race at Sebring. Lowe's Fernandez served as the engine development team for Acura last year, and the 3.4-liter V8 never suffered from a reliability standpoint.
"What Acura accomplished in their first season is remarkable," Fernandez said. "They were strong out of the box with not only a brand-new engine but the chassis as well. Expectations are even higher for next year."
The three Acura-powered LMP2 entries are part of a strong prototype contingent entered for the Winter Test. Audi, Lola, Mazda, Peugeot and Porsche also will have prototypes on track.
Updated news, timing information, photos, audio and video from the Winter Test will be available at americanlemans.com throughout the week.
The 2008 season opens with the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 15. The race will start at 10 a.m. ET and will be broadcast live by SPEED, which will begin its coverage at 9:30 a.m. American Le Mans Radio and IMSA's Live Timing & Scoring will be available at americanlemans.com.
