KV Racing Technology passing Sebring test with flying colors
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| Oriol Servia |
| Shawn Payne/IRL |
The team completed its first IndyCar Series test, March 19-20, at Sebring International Speedway in Sebring, Florida holding down the top-two spots on the speed charts. Oriol Servia, spotting a new number, KV Racing Technology #5 Honda/Dallara/Firestone, was fastest after the two-days of testing on the 1.66-mile Sebring “short course" with a quick lap of 52.703 seconds (114.072 mph), while teammate Will Power, KV Racing Technology #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone, posted the second fastest time turning a fast lap of 52.945 seconds (113.552 mph)
The test was a success for KVRT on two fronts. In addition to topping the speed charts the team also logged the most laps of the three teams participating in the test turning a combined total of 304 circuits. Servia, topped the list which, in addition to Power, included former Champ Car driver Bruno Junqueira, Atlantic Championship runner-up Franck Perera and two newcomers, with 174 laps. Power, who posted the fastest time on the first day of testing, 52.968 seconds (113.501 mph), ran the second most with 130.
“Being fastest is always nice, but I don’t think we should give too much importance to the lap times," Servia said. “There was a lot of rubber on the track, so the times can be a little deceptive. What I am happy about is the balance of the car. Yesterday we tried some things and I didn’t really like the car and I was starting to think that maybe this is the way this car feels, but today we made some changes that really suited me and now I like the car. I am also pleased with the amount of information we gathered in just two days and that both the KVRT cars ran trouble free both days. That speaks to what a great job the crew did getting them ready for this test. This is just our first step. I just hope the second step goes the same way, although I know it will be a much bigger challenge."
Commenting on the test Power said, “This was a very positive test for KV Racing Technology Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia. The main objective was to run as many miles as possible and learn as much as we could about the car. I understand more about the car now, but I still have a lot to learn.
Power went on to say, “I haven’t been in a race car since Mexico City last year, so I was able to start getting back into form and get a bit of driver fitness back. I also want to thank the entire crew for their hard work. These guys put in a lot of hours to get us ready for this test and they did a great job."
KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser said, “I am just really proud of the entire KVRT organization. To arrive with the level of preparation that we did with the amount of time we had, then to run pretty much error free for two days…speaks volumes. On top of that we were reasonably quick for the conditions…the track was very rubbered in, so comparatively it is tough to tell how good we really are. We were also happy to be able to get as many miles as we did under our belt. We are not overly confident right now. We have our eyes open. I know we have a great group of people here and we are all focused on working hard and learning, but certainly we understand that the teams we are going to go up against have a lot more familiarity with the chassis and the series, that puts us at a big disadvantage, but we will chip away at it."
Next up for KV Racing Technology:
KVRT will test again on Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 25 on the oval at Homestead Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. Both Servia and Power will participate in the test.