Team Modena’s preparations for the next Le Mans Series race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on May 10th took an unexpected turn when the team’s new Ferrari 430 GT was heavily damaged in testing in Portugal. Driver Leo Mansell was unhurt in the incident, which occurred when testing at night at the new Algarve circuit late on Wednesday, but the car is now back with builders Michelotto in Italy.
They are working flat-out to repair the Ferrari with the aim of having it at Spa late on Thursday the coming week, with the first running of the race meeting due to take place the next day. Both Michelotto and the team are confident the re-fettled car will be at Spa in time to take part in the second round of the LMS season, with the team aiming for a strong result in the LM GT2 category of the series against stiff opposition.
“We had a test with the Ferrari at the new Algarve circuit in Portugal,” explains Team Principal Graham Schultz, “and it was very productive. We are still learning about the Ferrari and were able to get some input from some experienced sources and really improved the car. We had the opportunity to test in the night, but Leo went off in the dark and the car suffered a lot of rear-end damage.
“The car went straight from Portugal to Michelotto in Italy, and should arrive with them today (Saturday). Our crew will strip the car then it goes into a jig and two bodywork guys are coming in to work on it Sunday and Monday. It gets painted on Tuesday then it is back into Michelotto’s on Wednesday to be built up and they are confident we will have the car at the circuit in Belgium on Thursday night.
“Our truck has to leave before then to start building up the garage etc. at Spa, so the Ferrari will be brought up on a Michelotto truck. All set-up work on the car will be done it Italy before it is transported – so we should be ready to go for the first Free Practice session on Friday morning thanks to some superb work and commitment from our guys and the great support we have received from Michelotto.”
“We are aiming to be right on the pace at Spa, and as ever, Team Modena expect to be in there challenging for victory.”
Source : Team Modena