ALMS drivers discuss St. Pete race
Adrian Fernandez, Lowe's Fernandez Racing
Acura ARX-01b (LMP2)
"I think this car has a lot more potential. We're still learning about the new chassis, but it's definitely an improvement over the last year. And I think having the three Acura teams together makes big sense. So we're very happy with the change and we just have to keep working on it. I think that St. Petersburg is going to be a good race track for us."
Timo Bernhard, Penske Racing
Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2)
"St. Pete is one of my favorite street circuits. When I came here last year for the first time, I had read about a lot of things but actually had never been there. And when I did the first couple of laps I already felt that this street circuit is very special because it's not a typical street circuit with a 90-degree right or a 90-degree left. It has some influence from a normal track, I would say. You have some quick corners; the last 'S-corner' is nearly flat with our car or sometimes flat, so it's different. That's what I like about it."
Bryan Herta, Andretti Green Racing
Acura ARX-01b (LMP2)
"I don't feel any more stress at St. Pete although I'm definitely busier being that it's an Acura race and Andretti Green Racing promotes the event. So there's a lot of that going on. And track time on street courses is always at a minimum so it just feels very hectic throughout the weekend. But I love street racing. I love the street courses, and I think that as an inaugural event last year it was really good. I'm looking forward to the new time slot in the middle of the day. I think hopefully that will shorten the day up for some of the fans and give them a reason to really stick around and cheer us on."
The Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg presented by XM Satellite Radio is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 5 from the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. The race will be broadcast on ABC from 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET on April 5. American Le Mans Radio coverage will be available on XM Satellite Radio Channel 144 from 5 to 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 6. Live American Le Mans Radio coverage will be available at americanlemans.com, which also will feature IMSA's Live Timing & Scoring.