Risi Competizione confirms Kaffer

In its bid to challenge for American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GT2 Championship honors and retention of its class-winning 24 Hours of Le Mans title, Risi Competizione present for 2009 a mixture of much that is familiar, with some that is new.

It is today announced that experienced German sportscar driver, Pierre Kaffer, will be joining Risi regular Jaime Melo in the #62 Ferrari F430GT for the 2009 season, beginning with the 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 21. They will be joined at Sebring by Mika Salo, the ever-popular Finn returning to the team for the 2009 endurance events as his schedule allows; the trio will present a formidable line up in what is likely to be intense competition in the GT2 class.

The Houston-based team, one of the most faithful stalwarts to the ALMS, begins the season by fielding two Ferrari 430 GTs in what promises to be the most competitive, popular and challenging GT2 class ever. For the third year running, Risi Competizione will be partnering with Krohn Racing, whose eponymous owner is also headquartered in Houston, Texas, for endurance events including the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Tracy Krohn, Nic Jönsson and Eric van de Poele will, as in 2008, be campaigning their distinctive green and blue liveried #61 car.

“We believe in continuity" said Team Principal Giuseppe Risi. “But we also believe in change. Jaime Melo has been with us since we started racing the 430GT—as has Mika Salo. Jaime will be with us at every race and Mika will make his considerable talents known as his schedule allows.

“Change this year comes in the form of Pierre Kaffer, a very dynamic young driver, who shares driving responsibilities with Jaime for the ALMS Season. This is a very talented driving line-up and we like the mix of continuity and change.

“I’m delighted that Tracy is back with us once more," continued Risi. “He has enjoyed some of his best results in sportscar racing with us – a second place at Le Mans and a podium finish last year at Sebring – and each time he drives the Ferrari 430 he becomes more comfortable and confident. I look forward to having he, Nic and Eric together again as I think it’s a great driving combination, and their faith in Risi Competizione means a great deal to all of us."