HVM Status GP Launches 2013 FIA WEC Campaign with European LMP2 Testing Program
ALGARVE, Portugal, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 – HVM Status GP will launch its 2013 testing program this week with a two-day session at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, beginning February 28 as part of their preparations for the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The team's Lola-Judd B12/80 Coupe will run an exclusive session on the 2.915-mile Portimão track, located in the Algarve, Portugal to evaluate a series of updates for the WEC campaign, which begins on April 14 at the 6 Hours of Silverstone race in England.
The test marks the first on-track effort for the collaboration between INDYCAR team HVM Racing and UK-based Status GP since they formed their alliance at the end of last year. The team will work on tire compound evaluations, while technical partners Lola and Engine Developments will attend the test to oversee chassis and powertrain developments.
"It's good to be finally getting underway with 2013," said HVM Status GP team principal Keith Wiggins. "We are really excited to begin our on-track development, as well as developing and building on our current driver line-up."
Status GP's sportscar technical director Rob Arnott added: "We have lots of developments on the car and engine to try out in addition, so we have a full programme across the two days. There's a raft of improvements we've been working on and we believe we will see some significant steps forward."
The 2013 WEC schedule consists of eight endurance races spanning the globe, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. HVM Status GP have a second private test lined up in Spain in mid-March before attending the official WEC pre-season test at Circuit Paul Ricard on March 29-30.
"The competition is very strong in WEC and the challenge of a true World Championship is very exciting," Wiggins said. "We believe the partnership with Status GP and the wealth of knowledge they have coupled with the resources that have been added to our combined team makes us a strong contender."
Details on HVM Status GP's driver line-up for the WEC will be announced in the near future.
To keep tabs on HVM Status GP as their new partnership treks across the world's greatest race circuits in the 2013 WEC, follow the team on Twitter attwitter.com/HVMracing.
About HVM Racing:
HVM Racing was founded by Keith Wiggins and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2012 season marks its eleventh year of competition since forming in 2001. Since its inception, HVM Racing has earned six victories, two pole positions, 22 podiums, 40 top-five finishes and 97 top-tens. The team also earned "Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year" honors with current driver Simona De Silvestro in 2010. HVM finished fourth and third, respectively, in the Champ Car World Series in 2006 and 2007, and earned drivers Mario Dominguez and Robert Doornbos Rookie of the Year honors in 2002 and 2007, respectively. Follow HVM Racing at www.hvmracing.com, on twitter at www.twitter.com/HVMracing, and on facebook at www.facebook.com/HVMRacing.
HVM Racing was founded by Keith Wiggins and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2012 season marks its eleventh year of competition since forming in 2001. Since its inception, HVM Racing has earned six victories, two pole positions, 22 podiums, 40 top-five finishes and 97 top-tens. The team also earned "Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year" honors with current driver Simona De Silvestro in 2010. HVM finished fourth and third, respectively, in the Champ Car World Series in 2006 and 2007, and earned drivers Mario Dominguez and Robert Doornbos Rookie of the Year honors in 2002 and 2007, respectively. Follow HVM Racing at www.hvmracing.com, on twitter at www.twitter.com/HVMracing, and on facebook at www.facebook.com/HVMRacing.
About Status GP:
Based in Silverstone, England, Status Grand Prix was formed in 2005 to campaign the A1 Team Ireland franchise in the new A1 Grand Prix Series. The team's shareholders are comprised of former Jordan Grand Prix head of Marketing Mark Gallagher, former FIA Formula One World Championship driver David Kennedy, and Teddy Yip, Jr., who's father Teddy Yip owned the Theodore Racing Formula One team. The team captured the A1 GP season championship in 2008-2009 and has been competing in the GP3 series under the Status Grand Prix banner since 2010, finishing second in the team championship. Follow Status Grand Prix at www.statusgp.com or on twitter @StatusGrandPrix.com or on Facebook atstatusgrandprix.
Based in Silverstone, England, Status Grand Prix was formed in 2005 to campaign the A1 Team Ireland franchise in the new A1 Grand Prix Series. The team's shareholders are comprised of former Jordan Grand Prix head of Marketing Mark Gallagher, former FIA Formula One World Championship driver David Kennedy, and Teddy Yip, Jr., who's father Teddy Yip owned the Theodore Racing Formula One team. The team captured the A1 GP season championship in 2008-2009 and has been competing in the GP3 series under the Status Grand Prix banner since 2010, finishing second in the team championship. Follow Status Grand Prix at www.statusgp.com or on twitter @StatusGrandPrix.com or on Facebook atstatusgrandprix.