INDYCAR – DETROIT BELLE ISLE GRAND PRIX
07 June 2012.- Lotus driver Simona de Silvestro (#78 – Lotus HVM Racing) scored her best season finish in Sunday’s Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. After starting at the back of the field because of an engine change penalty, she’d worked her way up to 13th position by the time the checker flag flew.
“I think we can be pretty happy because we finished the race,” said the Swiss driver. “The guys worked really hard the whole weekend just to get the car turned around and we had a really strong race car.”
Simona drove a solid race and kept up with the rest of the field. Strategy and good driving were the keys to Lotus HVM Racing’s great finish. The team engineers called for an early pitstop on lap 11, setting the stage for De Silvestro’s race. She ran as high as 11th at one point and was running 13th when the team completed their second pitstop of the day on lap 37.
Lotus HVM Racing team owner, Keith Wiggins was pleased with the team’s performance. “It was hard work for a 13th place finish,” he said, “but on the good side, the crew did a really good job on the strategy even though we had less fuel consumption than the other guys. Simona drove a really great, intelligent race. The reliability was better so that’s a step forward.”
Claudio Berro, Director of Lotus Racing, commented: “We are very proud of Simona’s performance in the Detroit Grand Prix. She was consistent and had a strong finish. The Lotus HVM Racing team did a great job and came up with a really good strategy. We thank her and the team for all their hard work. We, at Lotus Racing, will keep working hard to give her and HVM Racing what they need to obtain good results.»
BRITCAR MSA BRITISH ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE – BRANDS HATCH
Team Bullrun had a text book weekend at Brands Hatch for Round 4 of the MSA Britcar Endurance Championship.
Qualifying was tight, but a last minute run sealed pole position by 2 hundredths of a second giving an all important track position on the tight Indy circuit. Martin Byford started the race which saw a number of safety cars in the first hour, but costly safety cars at the last round at Snetterton were replaced by lady luck this time round. After the hour mark, the Evora was comfortably in front.
With some skilful driving through traffic, Martin handed over the car with over a thirty second lead, leaving David Green a comfortable drive to victory. Byford’s efforts were also rewarded with the Sunoco Driver of the Day award. The win stretches Team Bullrun’s lead to 2 points at the halfway point in the Championship.
David Green commented: «It was a great weekend for the team. We did feel a slight bit of pressure to maintain the Championship lead, however, an amazing drive from birthday boy Martin in the first stint set us up nicely for the win. The car was faultless all weekend and seems to be getting stronger as we all get used to it and tweak the set up. We are looking forward to the second half of the season, especially as we are front of the pack.»
Text by: Redacción.
Photograph by: Lotus.
