Nurburgring: Spyker Squadron preview

Zeewolde - After a short break racing resumes this weekend for SNORAS Spyker Squadron. The fourth round of the Le Mans Series; the 1000 km of the Nuerburgring is the team's second last race this year.

After their overall victory of the Omnitel 1000 km last month it is back to business for the majority of the team after having enjoyed a short vacation. Immediately after the 24 Hours of Le Mans, held mid-June, the Squadron engineers and mechanics continued to further develop the car. Both cars will appear at the start this weekend with the engines that have the new flat plane crankshaft layout as tested in an earlier Le Mans Series race at Spa. A number of small improvements have been made to improve the engine reliability. The cars also have aerodynamic improvements and will be fitted with a new rear wing and front splitter.

Peter Dumbreck, Ralf Kelleners and Alexei Vasilliev will drive the number 85 Spyker Squadron C8 Laviolette GT2R and behind the wheel of the Speedy Racing car we can also find familiar faces: Andrea Chiesa and Benjamin Leuenberger will be driving the Swiss car.

Peter van Erp, managing director Spyker Squadron: "The Nuerburgring, with its low grip levels, is always a tough track for us. Although we have been on the podium here in the past, it was always a challenge to quickly find a good setup. This year it will be the first time that we will race the Michelin tires here so I am curious if our quest for a good setup has changed in our favor".

He continues: "I hope that in this race, but also in the last race at Silverstone, luck is on our side and we can finish in top-5 - that is absolutely the level we are aiming at. If we can work-out a good setup in the free practice session and grip levels permit, we will try to push in the race and drive progressively".

Two free practices sessions are in the agenda this Friday followed by the third one-hour session on Saturday. Saturday afternoon there is the regular 20 minute GT qualifying session. The 1000 km or six-hour race will start this Sunday at 12:05.

-credit: spykersquadron.com