Zytek to run hybrid prototype full season

Zytek's latest ZPH hybrid technology is to be raced this year by a team new to the Le Mans Series. Bologna, based Rangoni Motorsport will contest a Zytek 09SH in all the rounds of the LMS and, subject to entry, the Le Mans 24-hours in June. During the course of the season, the car will be converted to use Zytek's groundbreaking hybrid technology, the first time this will have been raced in Europe. The car will also be powered by the latest generation Zytek 3.4-litre ZG348 LMP1 V8 engine.

In the USA during 2009, a Zytek 09S became the first hybrid-engined prototype ever to win a podium place at a race for Le Mans-style cars. However, this was achieved with road car component based technology and subsequent changes to the regulations have now enabled Zytek to create a pure racing hybrid system which will be used in the Rangoni Zytek 09SH.

Rangoni Motorsport was formed early in 2004 by the brothers Mirko, Luca and Michael Rangoni. Most recently, it has entered a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG in the Superstars for Luca and one-time Grand Prix driver Nicola Larini. Now former Italian Formula Three champion, Luca is to be joined by 2007 FIA GT champion Thomas Biagi and by Ferdinando Geri – who last year competed in the LMP2 class – at the wheel of one of the most exciting prototypes to contest the LMS. Ferdinando and Mirko also act as Team Principals along with Claudio Rossetto and Renzo Valeriani. Michael is Team Manager, while Race Engineer is Massimo Del Prete and Systems Engineer, is Giancarlo Pedrazzi.

Says Ferdinando Geri, "I'm so happy to be driving a Zytek LMP1 car after such a long time talking about this with John Manchester. I'm also very pleased to begin a relationship with a company as prestigious and serious in motorsport. At the same time the team is excited to start with this futuristic experience."

John Manchester, Zytek Engineering Operations Director, states, "Zytek Engineering is delighted to enter into this partnership with Ferdinando Geri. We firmly believe that the collaboration with Rangoni Motorsport and also the introduction of the groundbreaking ZPH hybrid technology is going to produce great success over the coming seasons. We are honored to have been chosen to supply our products to this exciting project and we will very much look forward to forming a long and successful partnership." Source: Zytek