| Date/Time: | 2008-09-15 13:37 |
| Race: | Petit Le Mans |
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San Diego, CA --- When Autocon rolls out of the pits for the first practice at upcoming Petit Le Mans, it will be in a Lola B07 the team has acquired from Chamberlain-Synergy Racing, rather than the Creation CA06H the team has campaigned since the Utah Grand Prix last season. “We made gains with the Creation and we’re a couple seconds faster than last year at each track. But the other teams all made similar gains, and the result has been the same time gap. The only solution for closing the gap is different, more current equipment,” said team owner Michael Lewis. The B07 is the fourth different car Autocon has run in the American Le Mans Series since its inaugural series entry of the a Riley & Scott MXIII at Petit Le Mans in 2004. In 2006 and part of 2007 Autocon ran an ex-Dyson Racing Lola EX257, and produced its best performances in that car, including leading overall at Lime Rock, and finishing 2nd and 3rd in team points in consecutive years in the P1 class. “Lola provides the best ‘right out of the box’ solution for privateer teams. Teams like Acura have shown that other manufacturer’s products can be developed into winning solutions, but for most true privateers, the financial and intelligence resources required to make that happen are simply unrealistic,” added Lewis. “Intersport has shown the Lola to be quite competitive with modest development.” The familiar yellow Chamberlain-Synergy car last ran in race trim at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and is featured in the latest edition of the video game Grid for Playstation 3. In 2006 it contested the entire Le Mans Endurance Series schedule, finishing 2nd overall in the P1 class. The car is outfitted with an AER v8 twin turbo engine, which Autocon will run at Petit Le Mans and the Monterey Sports Car Championship incorporating the cellulosic E85R ethanol racing fuel, before deciding on its 2009 power plans. The car is chassis number 007 and was purchased from Lola in 2006 and Lola’s 07 update kit has since been applied. After visiting England last week, Lewis said the limited mileage on the car, and the extensive system and engineering improvements made to the car by Chamberlain, pushed the decision further toward Lola. “The car has been meticulously cared for by a group of smart racers, and Chamberlain has developed solutions to strengthen those already inherent with the Lola.” Driver Bryan Willman said, "This is a very good time for this change. Petit Le Mans is one of the three most important sports car races, and you really want to bring your best to this race." In 2005, Lewis and Willman co-drove to a 4th place finish at Petit Le Mans, and, "We are, of course, hoping the new car will help us to a great result. A podium in this year's field would be a triumph." “The favorite race of my career was in the Creation at Le Mans in June. The combo car that was half Autocon and half from the factory was really fantastic,” said driver Chris McMurry. “But, I would be lying if I didn’t say that we have been very frustrated by our lack of straight line speed, and intermittent handling issues. I always felt very racey in the EX257, so I look forward to rekindling that feeling.” Tony Burgess will join Willman and McMurry behind the wheel at Petit, and has signed on to drive for Autocon in 2009 and 2010. “I had a chance to race against Chamberlain when I raced in the P2 class in Europe two seasons ago. In many ways they are like Autocon, and I was always impressed with what they accomplished with the resources that are not unlike our own. This is a good move.” |
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