Proto-Auto Commences Lola Testing for 2008 Season

Lola's first Daytona Prototype

Proto-Auto completed the first Lola Daytona Prototype chassis test for the customer Krohn Racing this week. Representatives from Proto-Auto, Lola Cars and Krohn Racing conducted initial testing with a brief and successful shakedown at Road Atlanta. The operation then moved to Savannah for testing.

Proto-Auto, a partnership of Krohn Racing and Lola Cars, is the official constructor of the Lola chassis. The newly designed chassis, with a CRD-prepared Pontiac engine, performed well at the Savannah test, completing over 100 laps with one hundred percent reliability during the first day of testing.

TRACY W. KROHN, Krohn Racing Team Owner/No. 75 Driver:
“In Miami, Martin Birrane and I proudly announced this program. Since then, our groups have worked together, with our suppliers, to produce an excellent vehicle. Martin and I are very grateful to everybody for the hard work that has gone into this program. Track testing is just another step in the process of producing a winning car and meeting the expectations of our potential customers."

MARTIN BIRRANE, Executive Chairman, Lola Group:
“I’ve kept in touch with the progress at the track and am delighted with the updates I’ve been receiving. I’m sure the Lola will be a fine reward for the outstanding effort that has been made in producing the car. I’m looking forward to working closely with Tracy Krohn and his team in 2008 and beyond. I anticipate an exciting start for our new partnership at Daytona next month."

NIC JONSSON, 2008 Krohn Racing No. 76 Driver: “We shook the car down yesterday for four laps to make sure everything fired up while we were in Atlanta. Then we loaded her up and came to Savannah and started off this morning. Actually we haven’t had any problems. We’ve been collecting data and doing laps. I think we have done 109 laps today, over 200 miles, I believe. That’s pretty good for the very first time a new car hits the track. We haven’t had any real mechanical issues. We’ve just made small adjustments — things like driver comfort.
We’ve been validating the car’s systems successfully. We’re going to try to get some more data tomorrow and try some things aerodynamically, springs, stuff like that, and see how the car reacts to different changes."

RICARDO ZONTA, 2008 Krohn Racing No. 76 Driver: “It was very nice to drive the new car. Everything went very well today at the test. I think the team felt very positive. The car is very sensitive and anything we change you can feel. It is a lot easier to work on the car like this, when you change something and feel the difference." DAVID BROWN, Krohn Racing Team Manager and Engineer:
“I think we have made a solid start with the test program. It’s obviously the beginning of our experience with the car. Between now and the first race we have a lot of work to do, but we’re enjoying the challenge. We feel we’re up to the task of making a good car."

ANDREW BURSTON, Lola Lead Design Engineer of the Lola Daytona Prototype:
“The testing has surpassed expectations. Although we have many small things to do, we have not met with any unexpected items. I am encouraged by the performance of the car and the feedback from the drivers. The group’s expertise and enthusiasm, I believe, will ensure the success of the program."

Daytona Test Days will be held at Daytona International Speedway on January 4-6, 2008, with the 46th Annual Rolex 24 At Daytona scheduled for January 26-27, 2008.