KV Racing Technology to participate in first IRL test
The team will test cars for both drivers on the 1.66-mile Sebring “short course". Oriol Servia will pilot the KV Racing Technology #32 Honda/Dallara//Firestone entry while Will Power will be behind the wheel of the KV Racing Technology #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone machine. This is the first opportunity KV Racing Technology has had to test their IndyCar Series cars since announcing they would join the series for the 2008 season on March 12.
“I want to congratulate Mark Johnson (KV Racing Technology General Manager), David Brzozowski (Team Manager), the engineering staff and the entire crew on the job they have done getting these cars ready to test," said KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser. “We haven’t had a lot of time to prepare, but the entire team has worked flat out, around the clock, seven day a week, just to get prepared for this first test at Sebring. This is a huge undertaking and while we are still behind some of the established teams, everything that can be done to this point, has been done and I just want to say how proud I am of the entire team."
Vasser went on to say, “I also want to acknowledge, and thank, Target Chip Ganassi Racing. They have really been great as far as helping us get ready and have made it apparent that getting our team up to speed as fast as possible is what is best for the series. We appreciate all their support."
Power is entering his fourth year of open-wheel competition, first in the IndyCar Series and first with KV Racing Technology. The 27-year-old native of Toowoomba, Australia spent his first two seasons, plus two races, in Champ Car with Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia. He has finished in the top-six in the championship in each of his two full seasons placing sixth in 2006 and a career high fourth in 2007. The resident of Aston Clinton, Bucks, Australia and Indianapolis, Indiana, was Rookie of the Year and won the Bridgestone Passion for Excellence Award in 2006. He has finished in the top-10 a total of 19 times including 11 top-five showings with six podium performances, two victories and six poles in 30 career starts.
Servia, who spent the last eight seasons in the Champ Car World Series, will be contesting his first IndyCar Series. The 33-year-old native Pals, Catalonia, Spain, previously drove for the team during the 2006 season and for two races in 2007. He has placed in the top-10 in the championship standings in four of the past five seasons with a career high second place showing in 2005. A resident of Miami, Florida, Servia has earned 70 top-ten finishes including 34 top-five showings with 16 podium performances, one victory (Montreal 2005) and the pole (Surfers Paradise 2005) in 125 career starts.