Mid-Ohio testing on tap for Kumho shod teams

Intersport Racing and B-K Motorsports aren't taking much of a break with a one-day tire test scheduled early next month at Mid-Ohio with tire partner Kumho. The two prototype teams from the American Le Mans Series will test a number of different compounds on May 3 as they and Kumho continue to develop tires for Intesport's Creation-Judd combination and the Lola-Mazda package from B-K.

"It's a steep learning curve," said Intersport team owner and driver Clint Field. "Kumho did a great job with the new sidewall compound at Houston. They've done stuff pretty quickly in such a short amount of time. They'll bring six or eight new compounds and we'll eventually make a choice of what we'll bring to Salt Lake City."

Intersport and Kumho announced a partnership for 2007 in January. Starting at Sebring, the team ran the manufacturer's P2 tire on the LMP1 chassis but has received two additional constructions which have gotten progressively better with each event, Field said. The team also has further tests planned during the Le Mans break at Road America.

"Kumho has involved us throughout which is good," he said. "They're making good strides. With the softer compound, we'll be more competitive. We're ready to hit this head-on."