Viso to KV Racing?
02/15/10 KV Racing Technology and E. J. Viso had a successful test today at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida.
Viso ran 103 trouble-free laps (171 miles) posting an unofficial fast time of 53.89 seconds. This was KVRT’s first test of the off-season.
“KV Racing Technology had a successful test today and I am very pleased with the way both the team and E. J. performed," said KVRT General Manager Mark Johnson. “This was our first pre-season test and it went off without a hitch. The team did a great job preparing the car and it performed flawlessly. The engineering staff had a solid plan and we accomplished everything on our check list. I also want to complement E. J. on the job he did. This was his first test with our team and he was professional and worked well with the engineers and crew. Based on his feedback and the plan the engineers had in place we were able to collect some valuable data."
Johnson went on to say, “At this point, we will sit down with E. J. and discuss further plans for the 2010 IndyCar Series season. I do anticipate testing him again at the IndyCar Series Open Test at Barber next week."
Viso said, “I am very happy with the way the test went with KV Racing Technology. The car was prepared well and we got a lot of work done. This is a very professional team, a great group of engineers and mechanics. I felt very positive and comfortable working with them. It’s been a little difficult because it is very cold so you need to be very careful. We are not here to take risks; we are here to get data. I want to thank my sponsors, PDVSA, Herbalife, CANTV and SBA Airlines, for their support and I look forward to sitting down with Jimmy (KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser) and Mark (Johnson) to determine what our future together will be."
Viso, 24, spent the last two IndyCar Series seasons competing for HVM Racing. His best finish is a fourth at St. Petersburg in just his second IndyCar race. Viso also led his first career IndyCar Series laps at St. Petersburg (12).
02/13/10 This rumor is upgraded to 'strong' today. KV Racing Technology and E. J. Viso announced today that they will conduct a test at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida on Monday, February 15.
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| E.J. Viso |
“E. J. is an outstanding driver," said KVRT General Manager Mark Johnson. “We have been in discussions with him for several weeks about possibly joining KV Racing Technology for the 2010 IndyCar Series season. Testing him at Sebring seemed like the next logical step in that process."
Viso, 24, spent the last two seasons competing for HVM Racing. Last year was a tough season for the native of Caracas, Venezuela. He competed in all 17 IndyCar events earning a season high seventh at Watkins Glen. In 2008, his first in the IndyCar Series, Viso had a solid season contesting 15 races and earning five top-10 finishes including one top-five showing, improving 11 positions to finish fourth at St. Petersburg in just second IndyCar race. He also led his first career IndyCar Series laps at St. Petersburg (12). Additionally, Viso competed in the Champ Car World Series finale in Long Beach placing ninth and finished sixth in the Nikon Indy 300 exhibition race in Australia both with HVM Racing.
“I want to thank Kevin Kalkhoven, Jimmy Vasser and Mark Johnson for the opportunity to test with KV Racing Technology. I would also like to thank my sponsors PDVSA, Herbalife, SBA Airlines and CANTV for their support," said Viso. “KVRT is an outstanding team and one that is very competitive. I look forward to showing them what I can do during the test and hopefully everything will go well so we can all move forward toward racing together in 2010."
01/16/10 Late last year there were rumors that EJ Viso may leave the HVM team and race with the Dreyer and Reinbold IndyCar team in 2010, but now we are hearing he could end up at Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, but more likely at KV Racing who have the equipment to run two cars and were beginning to make the Penske and Ganassi teams look over their shoulder last year with Mario Moraes. A Moraes/Viso lineup could give the Penske and Ganassi teams real fits in 2010.
With all that said, the HVM Racing website still lists Viso and Doornbos as their drivers. We shall see…….