Monza: Spyker Squadron preview

SNORAS Spyker Squadron ready for Italian Le Mans Series round

After a thorough shakedown last Saturday, both Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R's have left the manufacturers workshop in Zeewolde, the Netherlands, and are on their way towards the famous track of Monza, Italy.

This weekend SNORAS Spyker Squadron will again enter two factory backed GT2 cars in the Le Mans Series to compete in the second 1000 km race in the five-round series. Due to its high speed nature Monza is of high importance in the essential preparations for this June's 24 Hours of Le Mans. A well balanced aerodynamics setup plays a key role to finish on the podium in La Sarthe this summer and if a good setup for this weekend’s race has been found and time permits the Dutch team plans to test setups that might work well at Le Mans.

Peter van Erp, Managing Director Spyker Squadron: "I hope that this will be another good weekend for us. Our agenda is packed with three 1000 km Le Mans Series races before the 24 Hours of Le Mans and its official test-day in June but fortunately we managed to clear the list of To-Do's that we brought back from Barcelona after completing our very first race with the two new C8 Laviolette's. Last Saturday we successfully finalized several functional tests at the RDW test track in Lelystad, the Netherlands, and I can confidently say that some of the startup problems we have experienced in Spain are eliminated. Therefore I think we will have much more valuable time to work on the setup for the race and if we have sufficient time left we will test some setups for Le Mans".

The team will bring two Laviolette GT2R's to the start in Milan, both with an upgraded radiator exit duct. The new exit duct results in a more effective radiator air-flow but will also improve the down force on the front axle.

The C8 number 85 will be driven by Russian Alexey Vasiliev, Ralf Kelleners from Germany and Scotsman Peter Dumbreck. Peter Dumbreck will join the team from Saturday morning on due to test obligations in Japan. For the second car, the Swiss dealer car with number 94, it will be their home race. The car will be piloted by Milan born Andrea Chiesa and Swiss Benjamin Leuenberger.

The six-hour race this Sunday can be seen via various media; online via the Eurosport website or via Radio Le Mans and on TV via Eurosport and MotorsTV.

-credit: spykersquadron.com